KEEP KIDS SAFE ON SOCIAL NETWORKS: Link to 50Plus.com

. YOUR EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO YOUR SOUL . . . . In this era we are dealing not only with television & radio, but the Internet, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, etc ; therefore, we need to be careful about what we and our children watch & listen to as they can drag us down spiritually and emotionally now and in the future. These things can imprint our minds for years to come and can affect our future well being. King David (A man after Gods own heart) said: . Psalm 101:2-4 (NKJV) . (2) I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. (3) I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. (4) A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. . Here's an interesting article in Los Angeles Times: . http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.bioethics.net/child-watching-television-silhouette.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.bioethics.net/2009/02/&usg=__OmPtEOmhtBnq7um7ExFLHs9E1_E=&h=359&w=468&sz=34&hl=en&start=12&sig2=MLDqYfRlur_F7KI3fVT9qA&um=1&tbnid=qhn-vZRzsX1wqM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Btelevision%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLG_en%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1&ei=wNOKStM3ktqxA6qV1dEN . Let me become more conscientious about what I am focusing on!! .

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8 Ways to Protect Teens While

Texting, Tweeting and Tagging. by Cynthia Ross Cravit, 50Plus.com

. . More from 50Plus.com: Career-damaging online mistakes Work-at-home scams .

Online social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are an increasingly popular way for teens to share photos and chat with friends. But these virtual gathering places also pose some real risks, from cyber bullies and sexual predators to computer viruses and scammers. (Yes, even tech savvy teens can get scammed online: Here's how.) . While many of our younger family members can outsmart us when it comes to computers and the internet, it doesn't mean they're immune to danger (or hurtful behavior) online. Here are Consumer Report's top tips to help the teens and tweens in your life stay safe while they're texting, tweeting and tagging.

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8 Tips to Play Safe Online .

Stay involved. Teens tend to engage in less risk-taking behavior when their parents show an interest in their online lives. While most teens aren't always enthusiastic, at least initially, about parents or grandparents monitoring their accounts, many will open up if you show a positive attitude and genuine interest. .

Take age restrictions seriously. The minimum age for most social sites is 13, but as with other online activities, it's up to parents to monitor their child's behaviour. If a kid lies about his or her age, the website can't keep them from signing up.

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Explain (and check) privacy options. Generally speaking, if you use the proper settings, the only people who can see what your teen has posted are the people she has decided to become "friends" with or to "follow". But the privacy policies of social websites can often be filled with complicated legal terms, and more importantly, can change without notice. Be sure to read the terms carefully and to check periodically for any updates.

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Warn that quizzes aren't just for fun. Those quizzes and contests that ask for your preferences on everything from pizza and music to personality types aren't always just for fun – but are a way to solicit personal-interest and contact information for advertisers. Also, be on the lookout for games -- in particular those that ask for a cell phone number -- that lead to unexpected recurring monthly charges for services buried in the fine print.

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Make sure your kids are careful when accepting new "friends". A good starting place is to have them link only to friends they personally know and trust in the real world. And then, as your teenager matures in both age and online judgment, allow them to expand their 'friends' to include acquaintances -- people they know exist in the real world because they have met them or a trusted friend knows them.

. Explain when to take things offline. You know how unproductive 'email wars' can be at the office? Similarly, fights between teenagers often become nastier and more hurtful when they go online via texting, emailing or social networking sites. If your teen receives hurtful messages, he should tell the person to stop, and if necessary, block the person from communicating via the social site until the disagreement can be resolved offline. .

Teach your teen to guard her reputation. If someone posts something damaging about her on a social site, she should tell the person to remove it. If the situation escalates, she should tell you about it -- and if the damaging remarks are not removed, help her to file a complaint with the site. .

Explain that online means "forever." Teens need to understand that anything they post to their profiles (or even send to just one person) can easily become public – and alas, permanent. If a photo or post is embarrassing or demonstrates that they make bad choices, this material can damage their reputation, relationships and opportunities. .

The bottom line? When teens use privacy settings, and are careful about the material they post and the people they link to, social networking sites can be fairly safe. .

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Elena Elisseeva

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. A PRAYER. . .

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Dear Jesus,

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Help us as a people to get our minds on things that will benefit us now and forever. Shield our minds and eyes from things that can harm us. Give us wisdom/direction to protect us from them. We are mere human beings and as you call us, sheep that needs a shephard. Be that shephard in our lives.

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In JESUS name... AMEN