We are hearing so much about all the kids with sites on myspace and xanga and the like, and all the problems and trouble they are getting into.

I have two teenagers who were also caught up in all of this, and were sharing all sorts of personal information with their friends on these websites.

So what's a parent to do?

Um,... Hello?! We are the PARENTS! We don't just have to be friends with our kids and make sure we are cool. I can't believe how many parents say, "I don't want them doing this, but how can I stop them?"

I know better than to say just tell them not to or to think I can control a teen. But there are some things you can control. You can control whether or not your child has time on a computer, at least while at your house. You can remove the internet or even the computer from your home if necessary.

Talk to the school, and make sure there aren't times or availabilty for kids to be on computers there without adult supervision. Talk to the parents of friends your kids hang out with, and make sure they are also aware of the dangers of these sites as well as your views on them. If the parents don't want to comply, don't let your kids go to their house, invite them to yours instead.

Talk to your kids, get involved, and don't be afraid to be the "bad guy"! This is our kids safety we're talking about. I'd rather had my kid mad at me than molested or dead.