Instant Messaging (IM)

According to a 2001 study by he Media Awareness Network, 56% of kids aged 9-17 use instant messaging (IM).  The numbers may have increased significantly since then.

Instant messaging is a form of Internet communication that allows conversations in real time.  It combines the live nature of chat with the personal contact of e-mail.

 

There are many benefits of IM:  saving on long-distance phone calls to family and friends, a good communication tool for children who are shy or socially awkward, and a safer environment than chat rooms.  But there are other hazards that parents should be aware of.  During the sign-up process, kids may be asked to give personal information, which may be made available to anyone.  Some IM programs offer users the option of joining chat rooms with strangers and some users can receive pornographic “spam” while using IM.

Here are some safety guidelines for parents:

  1. Protect your kids’ privacy during the registration process.  When your child registers for instant messaging software, sit with them and make sure that their authorization is required before anyone adds them to an IM list.  Discourage them from filling out the “personal profile” that some programs ask users for.  If your child has already created a profile, you can review it and delete information if necessary.
  2. Help your kids create their own user list.  Know who’s on your child’s IM list, and whose lists their names are on.  Check your child’s list regularly to make sure that strangers haven’t been added.
  3. Make sure the IM software they use doesn’t offer access to chat rooms.  Many programs offer access to chat rooms where users can talk to strangers.  To avoid this problem, check your IM program carefully to make sure you can block access to chat rooms, and make sure your kids know that they’re off limits.
  4. Teach kids to never share their IM user names and passwords with others.  Remind your kids to choose passwords that can’t easily be guessed by others.  Random combinations of letters and numbers offer the best protection against password theft.
  5. Report pornographic junk mail to the IM service provider.  Even if your child’s IM program has been configured to only accept messages from people on their contact list, he or she may still receive “spam” or junk mail.  Use the “Ignore” function to block that sender, and report the spam to the service provider.
  6. Disable any file-sharing options.  Most IM programs offer a file sharing option that allows users to download files to your computer.  However, viruses can be sent to your computer this way. If your child wants to be able to receive files from friends, make sure the file-sharing settings are configured so that you have to give your permission before a file can be downloaded to your computer.

 

Instant Messaging and Chat Jargon

  • BRB - Be Right Back
  • CYAL8R - see you later
  • G2G - got to go
  • PA - parent alert
  • P911 - parents are coming!
  • PAW - parents are watching
  • SUP - what’s up?
  • LOL - laughing out loud
  • LMAO - laughing my a** off
  • FOAF - friend of a friend
  • MYOB - mind your own business
  • J/K - just kidding
  • :o) - smile
  • :o( - frown