Social+Networking~Safe+Sites+for+Students+with+Learning+Disabilities

**Social Networking ~ Safe Site for Students with Learning Disabilities**
On-line safety is a major concern for educators as well as parents, especially for students with disabilities. The most popular social networking sites are MySpace and Facebook*. Are these sites content appropriate for every age? Is the content questionable? People of various ages and abilities like to use these sites to keep in contact with old friends, family, and possibly find new contacts. Do these sites "fit" every age? Are they appropriate? With all social networking, comes "bullying" and kids with learning disabilities are an "easy target" for such bullying. Kids need to be taught how to social network.
 * Social Networking ~ Safe Sites **
 * Making Social Networking sites safe and appropriate for students with learning disabilities. **

"All children are at risk for being bullied or harassed, but studies show that children with LD, ADHD, and emotional/behavioral disorders are more likely than their peers to be bullied or become bullies themselves (Snyder, 2003; HRSA, 2007)." [|Whyville] is a safe web site or virtual world where kids can create characters play games and engage with kids around the world as well as a variety of other "safe" on-line activates for children with learning disabilities. On-line bullying is a major concern with parents and teachers, especially with parents of students with learning disabilities. Parents, teachers and students need to be aware of the technologies and web sites available in this ever changing world of technology. There are many websites and resources available about online safety for kids with learning disabilities.

v [|Understanding Bulling and Its impact on Kids with Learning Disabilities or AD/HD] v [|Tips for Teaching LD Children About Online Safety] v [|Online Safety for Children with Learning Disabilities]

http://www.ldonline.org/techexpert/c679 http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/understanding-bullying-and-its-impact-on-kids-with-learning-disabilities-or-ad-hd.gs?content=823

* Facebook asks people under 13 not to register, and you can't use the site if you are not logged in. Obviously people can lie about their age and sign up. If FB catches them, FB says they will delete their information, which effectively terminates their account.
 * //From Facebook's Terms of Use Policy: (as of Aug. 23, 2010).//**
 * "No information from children under age 13.** If you are under age 13, please do not attempt to register for Facebook or provide any personal information about yourself to us. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under age 13, we will delete that information as quickly as possible. If you believe that we might have any information from a child under age 13, please contact us through this [|help page]."