Skout Overhauls Security, Reopens Social Network For Teens

Skout is a social media website whose motto is:  THE GLOBAL NETWORK FOR MEETING NEW PEOPLE...life is short, you are busy and people are having fun without you right now. So start Skouting and find your party, anytime, anywhere.

Seems that 3 teens were raped and/or assaulted by adults they met on the Skout website.  Skout shut down their teen portion  for 1 month to revamp their security.  They have now linked themselves with Facebook Connect which will verify their identity before hand.  They also removed the part in the teen section that shows where the teen lives. 

Social media networks have become very popular to the young and the old.  People are using these websites for business and pleasure.  When interacting with others online you must be aware of the risks that are associated with it. 

Protect your privacy.  Here are a few guidelines that will help you stay safe where you can enjoy your time online...

Don't let friends talk you into doing things online that you are not comfortable with (posting your cell number or your birthday, etc.).

Be aware of phishing scams.  Don't let scammers trick you into getting your financial information, personal information, etc..

Choose a username that doesn't have any of your personal information in it.

Associate these sites with an email separate than your personal email for your privacy.

Create strong passwords at these sites.

Only let your "friends" view your profile on social networking sites.

Learn how to use the sites privacy features.  They are there to use at your own discretion.

Be careful what you say online.  You can never erase it.  Once said it stays available to all for ever.  Be smart and safe with what you post.  Don't post pictures that you wouldn't share with your own family members.  What you post online, stays online, available to everybody online.