Parents' FAQ on social networking

Stefanie Olsen, the writer of CNET's ongoing series on "Digital Kids," interviewed my BlogSafety.com co-director Larry Magid about safe social networking. The result, basically, is a FAQ ("frequently asked questions") and possibly a handy base for parents who are wisely beginning to ask their teens questions like, "Is there anybody you don't know in person (besides a favorite band) on your Friends list?" or "Who are the people who put comments in your blog most?" Parents of younger teens might consider establishing their own accounts in the services their kids use, and establishing a few rules like 1) they're on their kids' Friends lists, 2) only people your dad or I knows is on your Friends list or can comment in your profile or blog, 3) no responding to comments from people you don't know in person, and 4) no arrangements to meet offline with anyone you know only online (unless one of your parents goes with you).