Few people understand the power of the ‘location services’ option on their smart phones. The service, which uses GPS to pin point your location, is impressive when it comes to many of the downloadable apps that require your “location” to bring up things such as nearby coffee spots, restaurants, coupons, or check-in options. Often the Read more…
When police in Oregon recently arrested a teenager for his Facebook post, it became a vivid reminder to teens everywhere, that every single thing posted on social media channels is public—and can have real consequences. When the teen boasted about driving drunk and hitting a vehicle on New Year’s Eve, one of his Facebook friends Read more…
If you are a parent you are likely familiar with the 24/7 critic that silently (and relentlessly) loops in your head. You know the one: Its intensity varies depending on the day. It accuses you of not doing enough for your kids, of doing too much for them, and then it convinces your overwhelmed self Read more…
Protecting private information is sure to be an even hotter topic in 2013, with the recent conviction of hacker Christopher Chaney. Chaney hacked into the online accounts of celebrities Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera and other women and posted revealing photos on the Internet. A judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison for his crime. Read more…
Okay, let’s just say it: The topic of Internet safety is not exactly glamorous. It rarely makes headlines until after a safety breech rattles your family. Moreover, the topic is loaded with ever-evolving tech terms that can leave your head spinning. Still the fact remains that understanding Internet safety in today’s wired world is just Read more…
Simple words such as “like,” “comment,” and “in a relationship,” have taken on new—and arguably more powerful meanings—with the explosion of social networking in the past several years. Have you stopped to teach your kids the value and power of their digital clicks? The “Like” Button In the past, if you “liked” pepperoni pizza or Read more…
The task of parenting a digital native isn’t for the faint of heart. Not only are kids texting and posting in a mysterious, abbreviated code, they are also peppering such code into everyday conversation so that to anyone outside of the “circle” can sound pretty garbled. Demystifying the slang can be a full time job, Read more…
While the Internet is ripe with incredible opportunities for learning and connection, most activities considered to be “entertaining,” can also be abused to the point—some argue—of addiction. Online addictions such as gambling, pornography, shopping, and living in “alternate” or “virtual worlds” have increasingly hit the headlines as the world becomes increasingly wired. In addition, recent research Read more…
It’s easy to zoom in on your child’s digital life and point out what they are doing that could be considered risky or inappropriate. But what about the things they are doing right? Social networks present a treasure trove of teachable moments for parents, and rewarding great digital behavior is all part of the overall Read more…
You’ve fed them, helped them with homework, and dropped them off at practice, but have you Googled your kids lately? This may not be the first thing on your “to do list” for the day, but it’s a wise practice when it comes to online safety. While filtering software helps you monitor where they go Read more…