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…
“Should I allow my child to have her own blog?” It’s a good question and one we often receive from parents. Our answer is a resounding Yes—blog! blog! blog! But do so wisely. Blogging can open up an incredible world of learning, self-expression, and technical skills for kids of almost any age. More and more Read more…
The web is packed with free learning tools that will strengthen your understanding of the online culture, its tools and its phenomenal capabilities. The sites we’ve listed are free and often include video and podcast learning options. Explore these sites and make it a goal to learn a little more each day about the online Read more…
“Mom, how do you block people on Instagram? I can’t figure it out,” yelled 13-year old Chloe casually from the top of the stairs. Chloe tried to mask the urgency to her question. She had just discovered several bluntly inappropriate comments beneath a photo she posted of herself on Instagram. A month earlier Monica agreed Read more…
As social media becomes more integrated into everyday life, so too, the responsibility of being a good digital citizen increases when we log on and connect with real people. Did you know there are three tools on Facebook that can actually help save a life? A big thumbs up to Facebook developers who have wisely Read more…
It’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month. You may have noticed, October is the month in which news reporters, government agencies, non-profits and security companies work together to remind consumers that security is a huge deal and that it’s everyone’s responsibility. Take an inventory of your devices and online practices this month. Ask yourself: How can I improve my Read more…