Brunette Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 I had a chat with my nephew (now 13) about this last year. His mum found out he has a MSN account without her knowledge, and went mad! However he did tell me that he had managed to get a lot of support from a few friends over some bullying he was suffering at the time - he said it was the only way he could talk about it or tell anyone about it I do think communication is so important for kids (I do remember spending all evening on the phone at that age!!) and being left out was the worst thing in the world. So I'd say yes, let him have MSN, but agree that you will check his list of contacts, he's not to talk to anyone he doesn't know, and you that he has to use it supervised, in a family area, not alone in his room or anything. I thnk thats fair for someone who is 10! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 24, 2006 Share Posted November 24, 2006 Agreed, give him access to an account, but under the strict condition that he only talks to his mates that he knows, and not people he doesn't know, and if you have to stand over him and watch what he's doing to ensure his safety online then so be it, I'm sure he'll whinge and protest about it and tell you in no uncertain terms to sod off (putting it politely) but don't take any notice of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*_ash_* Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 wow, a great question for a change, i dont have kids, but i would think i would say yes. Like has been posted before, all conv's can be saved, as i do in Yahoo MSGNR , so i would think you could probably check it. (unless he out smarts you). The big thing is, if you hold kids back from computers now, will they lose touch with progression. I know i did. (32 btw). You mentioned that he's sensible, so unless thats a mumsy thing, i would guess he'll be fine. ash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvalidUser Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Discuss the do's and dont's with him until you're confident he knows the dangers then let him get on with it. He'll be dying to chat to his mates and be feeling very left out at the moment! I wish Messenger had been around when I was a kid, we had CB radios instead. I think recording the conversations is a bad idea. Trust your kid. One day he's going to have to be responsible for himself so why not start now in this small way. You should keep an eye on things and be interested in who's on his contact list but snooping is too much IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 I can't see much danger in it if you limit his contacts to people he (and you)actually know in real life, which you can easily do by selecting the option in Tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamasu Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 My son is 14 and only just got into this. I check who all his contacts are - at the mo he's only got about 4 and they're all mates from school - so I would say providing you keep a close eye on what they're doing and who they're talking to ............... and don't let them accept any strangers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinknsparkly Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 My 10 year old son is begging me to let him have a MSN account so he can chat to all his mates on-line, apparently it's what they are all doing at the moment. thing is I know nothing about them...and I have heard horror stories about who kids get chatting to on-line...can they choose who they talk to or can other people join in the chat? also can I monitor who he talks to or check out the content if I am worried? I want him to be able to do the same things as his friends but I am not sure if it is safe.... any tips would be gratefully appreciated. my 11 yr old has had an account and his own email address for 3 yrs now..no problems at all. the time to be a bit wary is when they want to play on habbo hotel. i think theres something adictive about this 'game' and so do quite a few of his friends mums also. hes also started 'playing' runescape, which is nearly as bad as habbo, but much more grown up.............be wary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwish Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 my 11 yr old has had an account and his own email address for 3 yrs now..no problems at all. the time to be a bit wary is when they want to play on habbo hotel. i think theres something adictive about this 'game' and so do quite a few of his friends mums also. hes also started 'playing' runescape, which is nearly as bad as habbo, but much more grown up.............be wary Yes my daughter has started playing on Habbo hotel it seems to be the latest craze at the moment. It was Ok until she started asking me for money to buy things for her online house or something. I said no and she seems to have got bored now with it thank god. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyB Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Well guys, thank you very much for sharing your thoughs and tips....I have given in and let him have an account however with some ground rules in place.....it was a little funny though, the conversation went, Hi...Hi...wat ya up to?....nothin.....this is r8 good init....yea, cool.....I hope it stays as innocent as that...LOL thanks guys.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazB Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I don't see why not. But I'd limit his usage on it to a few hours a week, and only after he's done his schoolwork etc.. Could be an incentive for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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