What should I warn my child about instant messaging?

What should I warn my child about instant messaging?

Ward Leber (CEO) gives expert video advice on: What should I warn my child about instant messaging?; How do I monitor my child's chats and IMs?; Should I warn my child that I am monitoring his chats or IMs? and more...

Warning people about instant messaging is really about the content that is contained in the instant message. You need to know who you are talking to. There is a lot of different messaging that you can do where kids will see a television commercial and it will tell them to instant message a number to receive today's latest joke. It actually may not be today's latest joke. It could be today's latest pornography or it may put them in contact with amazingly expensive charges. A lot of the instant messaging that goes out there doesn't show up on your phone bill. Parents need to know exactly what they are Instant Messaging. With my kids, I don't let them download anything. I just call the cellular provider and say they are not allowed to buy any downloads or cause any electronic debt on that phone. They can still do certain things with it like call me or call their friends, but they can't incur any new phone charges and they also can't come into contact with people that I don't want them to instant message.