<p>I’ve had the same issues with my daughter’s blog - her entries and the comments are also well written and entertaining, and also often profane. A good deal of what is said is simply not true – it is exaggeration or boasting or joking or wishful thinking. I had a huge argument with her a year ago when her brother told her that I had been reading the blog - she insisted that it was private and I should not ever read it. I pointed out that it was on the internet for anyone to read - that it could be easily found by Googling her screenname - that the teachers at her school and even her worst enemies could read it. She told me that it was fine for them to read it, but that I should never read it. She had a second blog that she had created in honor of a favorite teacher - the school counselor found out about it and insisted it be shut down – so she is well aware that school officials can find the blog. All of her friends have blogs with the same internet site – I can find and read all the other kid’s blogs just by following the links of those who have “subscribed” to hers or left comments. </p>
<p>I honestly don’t know what these kids are thinking. I do read the blog - no matter what my daughter says – precisely because it is public. </p>
<p>I don’t have any answers for you. I know to take what I see written in the blogs with a grain of salt – and even though I read the blog, I never discuss it with my daughter because I know she wants to pretend that I don’t see it. Obviously if there was something really disturbing in the blog, I’d confront her – but instead what I do is if there is something that concerns me, I find a way to bring up the subject a few days later. I mean, basically the blog gives me a window into my daughter’s life that I wouldnt have without it. </p>
<p>Of course, everyone else on the planet has the same window – but I think this generation is growing up with some different views about privacy and communication, shaped by the internet, and I’m not sure there is much that we parents can do about it. You’re lucky that your son had the experience which is embarassing him now – at least he’s learned – I don’t think my daughter quite gets it.</p>