Parenting Tech Savvy Teens

DAILY DOT COM - Baldwin county parents were treated to a forum Wednesday night on parenting in this digital age.

At it's best --the internet is a great resource for learning, entertaining and communication.  But experts say it can also be addictive, and downright dangerous.

Whether it's cyber stalking or cyber bullying, in terms of prevention, proper precautions and supervision is a must.

"We forget that sometimes we let the wolf in the door by just letting them take that laptop in the bedroom and accessing the web," said Tommy Loftis, U.S. Department of Justice Mobile Office.

However, staying on top of what your teens are doing online is easier said than done; especially if parents aren't as tech savvy as their teens.

The forum features guest speakers Loftis, and Cyber Forensics expert Gus Dimitrelos.  It will highlight the existing digital dangers, and offer solutions on how parents can set up restrictions through their wireless carrier to limit their kids' computer time.

In short: parents should know if their teens have a social networking account, and they should also know the password.

If there's a program your child is using that you don't understand --look for community courses, online tutorials, or read help manuals to become familiar with how it works. 

This is the second year for the forum.  It was held inside the Pilot Center at Bayside Academy in Daphne.  The National Criminal Justice Services is resource for parents looking for help.