Fussing over them or screening what they say or do will only lead to them getting clever and hiding more from you.

That said, you should be “around” when they’re online. If they can have you walk past without them trying to hide their screen or looking guilty, then you should be golden.

I grew up in a barrio (Mexican ghetto). And the internet is much like being in the inner city – if you look/act/behave like a scared person you attract more evil your way. This is how some parents approach online “oh my gosh it’s all evil WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON FACEBOOK?”

On the opposite site if you act like a confident person on the streets of the inner city, less evil will be attracted to you. Know what’s going on, observe the tell-tale signs, be confident in your child’s ability to rise to your level of expectations for online use and talk to them about it. Point out real examples of where people mess up and explain -why- it’s dangerous.

If you are aware of what goes online, talk it out with your kid and teach them how to be an acceptable internet usrs… and don’t act scared of it, you’ll be in a better position to guard your kids. If you wig out – you’ll only drive them farther away from your protective barrier.

But Facebook and Myspace have a bad rap because it’s HUGE news, and I think the media overhypes the dangers because it’s chic to do so. Facebook is actually a lot safer than Livejournal or something else, because not everything you can see. You can actually have more privacy and only accept friends you want on the profile.

And, it should be good news that Facebook is booting people. That means they are moderating to keep the site safe.

And, again, you can monitor Facebook for your kids if you really want to – just be their friend. Just beware you might wind up on this site – http://myparentsjoinedfacebook.com/