...for general advice and influence, parents are still the top source for teen internet and cell phone users.
Make a Contract Discuss your rules ahead of time. Together sign a family technology-use agreement. Post it next to your computer as a reminder. Example contracts and pledges can be found at the Family Online Safety Institute (www.fosi.org) or SafeKids.com.
Monitor Set up a Google Alert with your kids' names to help monitor where their name shows up online. Also, keep computers in an open, family rather than in your child's room.
area,
Watch for Behavioral Changes Facebook depression is a growing phenomenon
that can affect anyone who uses social networking. "Teenagers in particular can be very vulnerable to mood changes because they compare themselves to others on social networking sites," O'Keefe says. "There might be kids getting invited to parties or lots of pictures of people doing other things and they start to feel inferior. Often that's a very normal reaction." Contact your pediatrician if your teen's moods don't improve after
intervention with a psychologist or therapist is warranted.
CREEPY CRAWLY CARNIVAL
October 19th & 20th, 2012 MASSAD FAMILY YMCA
two weeks to determine if
Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance writer, wife and mom of two active boys and one very playful mutt.
Single tickets - $6 Family of 4 - $20 From 7 - 9pm both days
Activities include moon bounce, box maze, haunted house, haunt- ed trail ride, games, crafts, treats and dancing.
All monsters, ghouls, zombies and witches will be in attendance!
kpeot@family-ymca.org ext: 1061
540-371-9622 Karla Peot
www.fredericksburgparent.NET 13
