Instant Messaging
Instant Messaging, or IM, is a means of communication on the Internet.  Unlike email, people use instant message to communicate in real time.  Both parties are online at the same time typing messages back and forth to each other.   Instant messaging can be a great way for friends to communicate without the use of a phone and many teenagers use it as a main source of communication online.  There are some risks involved with instant messaging including the exposure to cyberpredators and cyberbullies.  Cyberpredators can search the profile a child makes up when they sign up for an IM account.  The cyberpredator can then initiate contact with the child and begin the grooming process.  A cyberbully might harass a child by sending them derogatory or threatening messages. There can also be a privacy concern that children need to be aware of.  Instant messages can be copied and posted for anyone to see, they are not necessarily private conversations.

Strategies
Discuss IM safety with your child.  Teach them not to give personal identifying information in their profile account.
Encourage them to let you know if they were approached by someone they don’t know.  Especially encourage your child to tell you if they have received sexually explicit or other inappropriate messages from someone online. Get to know their cyberfriends!  Many instant messaging programs have “buddy lists” which are groups of friends that your child communicates with.  Get to know who your child is communicating with online just like you would get to know who their friends are in real life. Encourage you child to tell you if someone has sent them a harassing or threatening message.  Tell them not respond to the message and try to block the person from communicating with them again.