We talk a lot about cyber bullying on this blog—how to equip kids handle it and how we can work together to prevent it. But what if your child is the cyberbully? Common statistics claim that nearly 50 percent of kids polled admit they’ve been the targets of online bullies. On the flip side of Read more…
In case you were wondering, wonder no longer. Yes, someone will Google your child. And it will matter. Be it a scholarship committee, a potential employer, a teacher, or a hoped-for University, your child’s digital footprint will be gathered and judged sooner or later. It’s hard to accept that while your child should be carefree 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…
There’s so much to monitor but so little time. If staying aware of the digital roads your kids travel feels like a full time job—don’t worry—that means you are doing something right! It’s the blessing-curse of the 21st century that with the immeasurable benefits of technology comes even more responsibility. While there will likely always Read more…
With more and more teens fleeing Facebook for more “parent free” social zones, alternatives such as Snapchat have become popular connection tools. Snapchat is a picture and video texting app that allows users to take photo snapshots (or “snaps”) and videos that the app will then make “vanish” after ten seconds. In essence, “snaps” replace 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…
As we discussed earlier this week, reporting and resolving a cyberbullying incident will vary depending on the evolution of your community’s awareness and understanding of the issue. However, this list provides first steps to help stop cyberbullying online if you see it. Save the evidence. Print copies of messages and websites. Use the save feature on instant messages Read more…
Cyberbullying is a public health issue that continues to go through its own kind of “social fog” as schools, parents, students, and law enforcement attempt to establish some common guidelines in dealing with episodes of online harassment. Some schools and local police departments have met cyberbullying head-on. They’ve implemented a clear process to handle cyber 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…
A number of apps for both the Android and iPhone exist that are great for storing your personal “gems,” those pieces of digital data you want to keep under lock and key on your smart phone. The apps store data such as logins and passwords, private photos, and keep them safe from hands of hackers, Read more…