Foster children and the Internet

[Tebe Torbes]

I seem to be having problems finding anything on this subject. What are foster parents doing about internet access? The internet is the main communication tool today and I need ideas on how to handle this. Our Social worker said it was up to us, but would suggest we get the password to sites such as My Space, etc. Has anyone tried software like Netnanny? Thanks for any help.

[MrsCCQ]

We are just at the beginning stages of this, but we have many children in our lives.

Our God-Daughter only uses FB at our home. She doesn't know the password, only we do. She has pictures of herself, but they are private and only friends of her page can see them. She can't add friends without our approval.

She knows the rules and she is completely accepting of them. She's also a very good and laid back child, and she's very close with us and her parents, so she understands WHY we don't want the world to see beach pictures of her on family vacation. It's appropriate for her family and friends, but not to strangers.

I would recommend that you approach it from the same direction. You have to log them in, and they have to check with you before approving friends. And as a parent, monitor their friends and comments. I know kids need privacy, but Myspace and FB are not the place for privacy. A diary might be more appropriate if they want to write out their thoughts and feelings.

I think having a FB page is a great way to open the lines of communication with children too! I learn way more about my family and friends through status updates than I ever did playing phone tag. I think it's a very powerful tool for learning in this day and time too. Kids need to understand how to use a computer etc.

Good luck! I know we're going to be in your shoes in a few months!

[Nanna]

In mapp class we were told the same about the internet that it was up to us. Most children already have FB and myspace when they come to us. We allow then to use it at the library. Those sites are monitored. They are not allowed to put pictures up. However, if they already have decent pictures up it's okay.Children do need away of communicating with family and friends too. However, we do need to monitor to keep an eye on them.