Message boards can be fun sites used to discuss popular topics such as music or movies as well as, say, talk about homework assignments. And, yes, they can also be misused by predators, cyberbullies, and the like.
However, there’s no reason that Internet message boards can’t be safe for your child if you have taken the time to explain the do’s and don’t of Internet safety and established rules with your child.
Ground rules for allowing your child to use a message board should include
Should you feel you need to go further to protect your child from the potential problems they might face on Internet message boards, you can always use parental controls or Internet filtering software. However, you should always start with trusting your child first, rather than assuming they’re going to do something wrong. Taking the time to discuss potential problems and setting ground rules together will often be the most effective way to protect your child online, whether it be on message boards or simply surfing the Internet.