Blogs

Blogs are websites that are updated on a regular basis. The term "blog" is a shortened form of "web log". A blog might detail the thoughts and daily activities of its creator, or be devoted to commentary about a sports team or performer. The creator of a blog writes comments for visitors to read and visitors can respond by “posting” a reply to those comments. Visitors can read each other’s comments and they can also begin communicating directly with each other.

Dangers associated with blogs are similar to those associated with chat rooms. Adults who are seeking to exploit children can visit youth-oriented blogs and strike up online conversations with young people. Another similarity: young blog creators and visitors may divulge too much personal information about themselves. This information can draw the attention of a child predator and it may also provide a way for a predator to determine the location of a potential victim.

Comments posted on a blog can also come back to haunt the writer. Words that may have been intended for a small audience sometimes find their way to a larger one, especially if they are controversial. Some students who have posted threatening words against their school or classmates have attracted the attention of law enforcement, while those who have posted inappropriate comments about school personnel have also been disciplined.

Even without an official reprimand, posting comments on a blog can lead to unexpected results: some young people have been surprised to find that their blogs were being read by their parents or guardians.