Teens become smarter where they hang out on the Internet
 

Fewer Teens Sexually Solicited over the Internet.
FOXNEWS

It's no different from "real life" and probably safer, in my opinion.
 

I was glad to read that this study found the dangers of the internet to be overhyped. Of course there are dangers and children need to be taught responsible use of the internet. But I have been interacting with "strangers" on the net as an adult for years and have found it to be no more dangerous that encountering strangers in "real life", and probably less so. One can interact without revealing his identity.

With the information explosion comes the need to differentiate the truth from fiction or lies. Rumors abound on the internet, but also in our normal "gossip" circles. I find it so exciting to live in an age where so much knowledge is readily available...right at my fingertips. For example, as a musician, I have interacted with composers and other musicians who I would never have had the opportunity to know prior to this fantastic medium.

Teach your children to stay out of the "bad neighborhoods" of the net just as you would teach them where they should and shouldn't go out on the street.

Good advice. True there are bad folks everywhere, and I've also made friends with folks I never would have met without the connections made through different 'community' sites.