Andy's Blog

I work at a church. This isn't a fact I tell a lot of people I meet because once you say you work at a church, people treat you different. Usually I tell everyone I am a radio producer (which is also true). Anyways, attached to my church is a full K-12 school. The other day I overheard that they invited an ex-FBI agent to come talk to everyone about the evils of MySpace.

I have to say, I respectfully disagree. And I am not arguing this on the grounds because "MySpace is cool." I truly believe MySpace is good for children's and parents. And here's why.

All things on MySpace are public to anyone. And just as they are public to the child molesters out there, they are also public to you...the parent. Where else can you not only see who your kids are friends with, but what your kids are saying to their friends, and better yet, what their friends are saying to your kids.

Also, this opens up lines of communication much easier. It is sad to say, but MySpace probably contains more information about your kid than you actually know yourself about your kid. Learn what they like, what they listen to, what they watch, and then keep that in the front of your conversations with them.

MySpace isn't just good for "monitoring" purposes. It is also for kids because it helps them meet new people. People they might be afraid to talk to in person at school, or people who don't live in the same proximity, or staying close to friends who have moved away.

The advent of Instant Messenger took place when I was in 6th grade. And I remember the same arguments people put up for Instant Messenger now being said about MySpace. And while it is true their is danger in both, active parents shouldn't fear either (anymore than anything else in parenting) if they have passed down good, common sense on how to act in society (we teach our kids to look both ways before crossing the street, but somehow, telling them not to talk to strangers on the internet is too much).

The truth of the matter, MySpace has just once again exposed how contemporary American parents always want to take the easy way out. It is far easier to say "no" than to monitor. It is far easier to disengage from your child's life than to actually look into what they are interested in. In the end, I say kudos MySpace for filling a communication need in our society better than anything out there for our kids...and parents!