Generation MySpace: Helping Your Teen Survive Online Adolescence

Does it seem like your teen can't tear herself away from friends on the computer screen (except to text them on her cell phone)? That's because MySpace, Facebook and YouTube are your son or daughter's life, not just another passing diversion. All that energy and time spent online is affecting your teen's life in countless ways, from sexual pressure and privacy to social standing and self-esteem. Some schools are banning online networking sites, yet your child insists they're "no big deal." Who's right? Drawing on personal interviews with hundreds of teens, educator Candice M. Kelsey helps parents assess what they should--and shouldn't--be worried about when it comes to technology. A landmark book, Generation MySpace is the first guide to the new world of online adolescence, where you'll discover:

* The Appeal of MySpace: How interaction becomes addictive, and how to stop it from taking control
* Profiles, Adds, and Top 8 Popularity: How "friending" is redefining friendship
* Baring It All: How kids as young as eleven are learning to market themselves--and why they're looking to celebrities and porn stars first
* The Drug Connection: How social networking has made illicit substances easier for teens to get, and even easier to hide
* From Predators to Cyber-Bullies: How to help your kids protect themselves