With more teens flocking to social networks outside of Facebook, it’s more important than ever for parents to understand—and coach their kids—through the rapid-moving, drama-filled environment of Twitter. Twitter has become a hot spot for teens, many of whom view Tweets the same way they view texts. They tweet quickly and often. And, sometimes things Read more…
We write a lot about new apps on this blog because apps are hot in the very mobile teen world. Kids use apps to stay connected to the outside world and that’s where you as a parent need to be looking when it comes to threats to their personal safety. This week we’re looking Read more…
A new study from Pew Research Center shows that teens are sharing more and more personal information on social media sites than they have in the past. The study is a red flag when it comes to the issue of privacy and a nudge to parents to consistently guide their kids in this issue. For Read more…
Okay, teens, it may be time to take the wheel—away from your parents. That’s according to a recent survey by conducted by AT&T and published in USA Today. The survey found that 49% of adult drivers admit to texting behind the wheel compared to 43% of teens in the survey that admitted the same. Why are Read more…
We recently visited a public school and spoke to a group of Junior High students ages 13-14 about the dangers of sexting. When we asked the girls in the room how many of them ever had a boy ask them to send a provocative or nude photo of themselves over their phones, we were shocked to Read more…
Just when you thought you had Facebook, Twitter, and that Instagram-thingy down, several more social networks have emerged. While it’s unknown if any can stand up to the giants, it’s important to stay in the know as a parent and recognize these new online meeting places. With more and more teens making an exodus from Read more…
Can Facebook really put a ding in your self-esteem? According to a recent study—yes. In the study, conducted by Humboldt University in Berlin and Technical University in Darmstadt, German researchers found that of the 600 Facebook users polled, a third (one in three) of the respondents reported feeling negative after being on Facebook. Constantly seeing Read more…
Twitter’s new video-sharing app Vine is the hottest mobile toy since Instagram—and to be honest—it’s even more fun. Still, parents need to keep Vine on their radar as the popular social network evolves. Vine allows users to create super-easy, six-second video clips to share with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Vine. All users do is Read more…
We know—it is not our job to clip cupid’s wings or douse the Valentine vibe—but it is our job to help keep things safe for you and your family online. That said, McAfee recently released the study, Love, Relationships, and Technology:When Private Data Gets Stuck in the Middle of a Breakup. The study examines the downside Read more…
You have gone over the basics of online safety and even posted a Family Game Plan next to the computer. You are doing fantastic. However, there are still some critical rules (some even laws) your kids could be breaking online that have ethical, even legal, consequences. (We know—just when you thought you could relax right?) Read more…