Product Description

Parents today should know what their kids are doing on MySpace but poor computer skills and MySpace complexity intimidates them into inaction. With MySpace 4 Parents, if you can turn your computer on and off, use a keyboard and mouse and get on the internet, you are already qualified to use this book to become a MySpace expert.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2273386 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-15
• Released on: 2006-06-30
• Format: Download: PDF
• Binding: Digital
• 90 pages

About the Author
Thank you for purchasing my book. Since you are reading this it is most likely that one of three things applies to you:



1. You have seen or heard articles on the possible dangers to children on MySpace and want to be better informed.

2. You have a child that you want to protect on MySpace.

3. You want to learn more about MySpace to be enlightened as to what the fuss is all about.



First, let me tell you a little about myself. I have been creating, maintaining and consulting on web sites for over 12 years. I’ve been involved in many sites that you may have heard of and many that you have not. I have provided my insights to my clients and have become what many people consider a guru… or as my dad would say, “a know-it-all”. I don’t claim to have all of the answers but in my professional life I work hard to provide information that can help others understand the internet. I want to use this book to educate you on this relatively new phenomenon known as MySpace.



Assumptions



The explanations in this book assume you have basic knowledge about computers and can do such things as turn them on and properly turn them off, unlike my mother who just unplugged hers when she was done. I also assume that you know how to access the internet and use a web browser to locate web sites.

You should have a relatively new web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher or Firefox version 1.5 or higher (you can check which version you are using by clicking on the “Help” window in either browser and going down to “About Internet Explorer” or “About Firefox”). It is not mandatory that you have the newest versions of these web browsers, but it will assure you that you will be able to access all of the newest functions of MySpace. It’s important to be able to see and use MySpace as its designers intended. Because children tend to be so tech-savvy, your son or daughter will probably have the newest versions of these web browsers so that they will not miss any of the cool tools available on MySpace and other similar websites.



All right, the introduction and requirements are over so now let’s get down to the important stuff…



About This Book



I have broken this book down to five major areas:



1. What you as a parent need to know

2. What your child needs to know

3. How you can monitor your child’s behavior on MySpace with or without their knowledge

4. Details of each of the main areas in MySpace

5. Summary of the steps you should take to protect your child



Each of these sections has subsections to give you the most information possible about MySpace. Knowing more about MySpace should help you make decisions regarding how much to get involved in your child’s MySpace usage or even if is necessary to get involved at all.



After reading and understanding this book, you will not feel helpless. You will stop any worrying or restless nights you may have had because you will become a MySpace guru… a “know-it-all”.



In preparing for this book, the number one question I received repeatedly was “Is MySpace Safe?” Unfortunately, there is no simple answer for this. If you follow all of the steps in this book carefully, you will reduce the possibility of some harm coming to your child, but you can never totally eliminate the possibility that something bad will happen.



Just as walking across a busy street or to and from school has its hazards, any community where strangers meet can be hazardous as well. In the “online” world and in the real world, the best protection a child can have is the information and instruction they need to protect themselves.



If you are very concerned that MySpace may have a negative effect on your child, then do not allow him or her access to it. But be aware that your home is not the only place that they may gain access to MySpace. Your child is growing up in a world where it is necessary to use computers intelligently. It’s up to you to educate them about the possible problems and help them make the right decisions.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction


Assumptions


About This Book


Chapter 1 - What Parents Need to Know


Why your Kid Looooooooves MySpace


What Can Go Wrong in MySpace?


Setting Up A Site in MySpace


How To Find Someone in MySpace


How to Make Someone a Friend in MySpace


Exploring Teen Language and the Use of Emoticons


Resources for Parents


Chapter 2 – What Your Child Needs to Know


How to Make Your Child Safer on MySpace


Important Safety Issues


A Word about Blogging


Blogging Tips for Your Child


Important Account Settings To Insure Privacy


Who You Are Protecting Your Child From?


Resources for Kids


Chapter 3 – Monitoring Your Child’s Community


“Hacking” Someone Else’s MySpace Account


Important MySpace Terms of Service Issue


Find Anyone’s MySpace Friend ID


How to View Pictures


How to View Videos


How to View Comments


How to View Blogs


Setting Up an RSS Feed for a Blog


What To Do if Your Child Is Having A Problem at MySpace?


How to Delete a MySpace Account


Resources


Chapter 4 – Explaining the Different Main Areas of MySpace


Home


Browse


Search


Invite


Film


Mail


Blog


Favorites


Forum


Groups


Events


Video


Music


Classifieds


Chapter 5 – Summary of Steps You Should Take to Protect Your Child


Glossary


About The Author