Be Safe. Think First. Do the Right Thing.
►Not all of the sites below are appropriate for children. Please use discretion when viewing these resources.
Top Tips for Parents and Teachers:
1. Celebrate and Encourage Positive Uses of Technology
- It’s not all bad! Kids are doing amazing things with technology and are active and connected in ways not previously possible.
- Creation, Collaboration, Communication, Coding, Crowdsourcing, Charity, and much more
- Kid TED Talks http://blog.ted.com/2012/10/17/9-talks-by-impressive-kids/
- 10 Reasons Why I Will Continue to Give My Children Handheld Devices http://goo.gl/q3MmUO
- Encourage positive digital footprints
- 5 Key Things Needed To Improve Your Digital Identity http://goo.gl/kMkEXG
- Educator digital footprints: http://georgecouros.ca/blog/my-digital-footprint
2. Proactively share values, consequences, expectations away from home
► Common Sense Family Media Agreement
- Grades K-5, Grades 6-8, and High Schoolhttp://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/fma_all.pdf
- Family Tip Sheets http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/educate-families/tip-sheets
- Parent-child cell phone appropriate use contract: t.co/V2izV4hM
- Dr. Walsh’s Say Yes to No Tips for Parentswww.parentfurther.com/Parents-Need-SYTN
- Primary children- PBS Kids Web Driving License:pbskids.org/license/
- Understand The Teen Brain: It’s Just Not Grown Up Yet:www.npr.org/124119468
3. Model a Healthy Balance and Limit Entertainment Screen Time vs. Educational Screen Time
- Is Twitter undermining kids’ intrapersonal intelligence? http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/04/08/is-twitter-undermining-kids-intrapersonal-intelligence/
- Keep Screens Out of the Bedroom, To stop ‘sleep texting’ among kids, parents need to wake up
- Is your child cranky and tired? Cut texting m.startribune.com/lifestyle/?id=171628061
- How to Set Screen Rules That Stick: www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/so-many-screens-how-limit-what-kids-watch
- Breaking away: Distractions go high tech www.startribune.com/lifestyle/167858175.html?refer=y
- How to Negotiate Screen Time With Kids www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-howerton/screen-time-kids_b_2119827.html
- Zero to Eight: Children’s Use of Media in America www.commonsense.com/educatorblog/2011/11/08/zero-to-eight-childrens-media-use-in-america
- Most Preschool-Age Children Exceed Daily Screen Time Recommendations, New Study Suggests:www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101028073743.htm
- Iowa State University resources on the Science of Parenting- Obesity and Overuse of Electronic Media (PM3002A) and Video Games and Other Media: Pros and Cons (PM3002B) www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13422&SeriesCode=&CategoryID=&Keyword=media
4. Actively engage and monitor, keep informed of trends, pop culture
► Common Sense Media- weekly newsletter, reviews, app: www.commonsensemedia.org/
- Tour/watch all screens- computer, TV, cell, video games
- Regularly ask you child to teach you how it works, show you around, set up a recurring appointment
- Unsure about Twitter, SnapChat, Reddit, Instagram, Ask.fm, Kik, Tumblr, Imgur, League of Legends, Minecraft, etc.? Google it!
- Four Apps all parents should know about: SnapChat, Vine, Whisper, Tinder: www.coolmomtech.com/2013/10/4-apps-kids-are-using-parents-should-know-about.php
- Social Media Revolution? 3:51min video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCfFcchw1w
- Top Ways Kids Hide Their Online Behavior From Parents goo.gl/tyxui2
- View online videos, tutorials to learn more (also see tip #10), such as NetSafeUtah: www.netsafeutah.org/parents/parent_videos.html
5. Set up a filter and restrictions for all screens
- Internet Use in School (Filtered) vs. Home/Friend’s house
- Consider using kid friendly search engines like: www.kidrex.org
► Open DNS (basic version free) www.opendns.com/home-solutions/parental-controls Short, two minute instructional video describing how easy this is: goo.gl/eDrD5
► MobiCip filter- works on iPhones, iPads, iPods, too www.mobicip.com, also K9 www1.k9webprotection.com
- Also consider www.netnanny.com (iPods/iPhones: www.netnanny.com/ios) www.bsecure.com, www.safeeyes.com , Norton Family https://onlinefamily.norton.com/familysafety/loginStart.fs
- Religous/accountablity: www.covenanteyes.com (works on iPhones)
- Filter comparisons: kids.getnetwise.org/tools/
- Microsoft Parental Controls:windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/parental-controls
- Mac Snow Leopard Parental Controls:www.maciverse.com/snow-leopard-parental-controls.html
- Social Media Monitoring:www.safetyweb.com,www.socialshield.comwww.eclassroomnews.com/2011/02/08/social-media-monitoring-services-stir-debate,
- Google Safe Searchwww.google.com/goodtoknow/familysafety/tools/
- YouTube’s Safety Filter:www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?&answer=174084
- Cell Phones/iPads/iPods/iTunes- filters & restrictions, GPS tracking
- ► MobiCip filter- works on iPhones, iPads, iPods, too www.mobicip.com,
- iPod/iPad/iPhone Restrictions: support.apple.com/kb/ht4213 and http://ipod.about.com/od/iphonehowtos/ht/Using-Iphone-Content-Restrictions.htm
- Droid Devices http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/google-android/3461359/parental-control-on-android/
- NYTimes video: How to make your tablets and smartphones more child-friendly http://goo.gl/YXRoCL
- Verizon Cell Phone Parental Controls:goo.gl/FIHOs*Not yet available for 4G LTE Smartphones 🙁
- AT & T, Verizon, T-Mobilewww.ehow.com/how_7789971_filter-cell-phone.html
- GPS Tracking: Should Your Teens Use Location Services? goo.gl/mnfFM
- Amazon Kindle Parental Controls http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-set-parental-controls-on-the-kindle-fire-hd
- PlayStation4 & Xbox One http://m.startribune.com/lifestyle/?id=236728971&c=y
- Netflix Parental Controls: signup.netflix.com/TermsOfUse#parental
- Wii Parental Controls: www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/ht_settings.jsp?menu=pc
- Comcast: www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/ParentalControls.html
- MediaCom: www.mediacomcable.com/pdf/parentalcontrols.pdf
6. Talk about pornography & sexting
- Pornography
- How does Pornography Affect Kids? Enough is Enough www.internetsafety101.org/harmsofpornography.htm
- Porn statistics http://www.covenanteyes.com/pornstats/
- Vine App Age 17+ Restrictions goo.gl/8Xsq9n
- Connect With Kids clips: Pornography’s Effect on Girls: www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2007/357_oct31/thisweek/071031_porn.shtml see also Effect on Boys: www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2008/370_jan30/thisweek/080130_porn.shtml
- Compulsive pornography users shows the same brain activity as alcoholics and drug addicts www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2428861
- Teenage boys watching hours of internet pornography every week are treating their girlfriends like sex objects www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1255856
- The Sexy Lie: Caroline Heldman at TEDxYouth@SanDiego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMS4VJKekW8&sns=em
- (Religous) www.xxxchurch.com – resources for overcoming addiction, accountability software
- (Religous) accountablity filtering and monitoring: www.covenanteyes.com and Parent Handbook including the 7 Habits of Internet Integrity: www.covenanteyes.com/resources/parentbooklet/
- Sex Talk Online- Parent Tips:www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2009/428_mar11/thisweek/090311_sex.shtml
- Common Sense’s Talking to Kids about Intimacy in TV Shows: www.commonsensemedia.org/new/first-times-tips-talking-about-virginity-and-sex-teen-dramas
- Dove Campaign for Beauty videos:
- Evolution: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
- Onslaught: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I
- Pressure: video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1731400614466797113
- Facebook Use Tied to Girls’ Negative Body Image:www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FZ3wCV46kI
- Statistics from Enough is Enough- Government Non-profit organization leading the effort to confront online pornography, child pornography, child stalking and sexual predation with innovative initiatives and effective communicationswww.enough.org/inside.php?tag=statistics
- Sexting:
- Wake Up and Smell the Sexting, Parents! (one mom’s blog post, some expletives) goo.gl/KamUf
- Why Snapchat (Age 12+ Restrictions) is dangerous (it’s not just because of sexting) goo.gl/OTgNz and Common Sense review: www.commonsensemedia.org/mobile-app-reviews/snapchat
- Is Kik OK for kids? www.bewebsmart.com/internet-safety/is-kik-okay-for-kids/
- Common Sense parent tips on sexting:www.commonsensemedia.org/talking-about-sexting
- The Dangers of Sexting: What Teens Need to Know by Human Relations Media HRM DVD curriculum www.hrmvideo.com/catalog/dangers-of-sexting-what-teens-need-to-know
- Your Photo Fate www.netsmartz.org/reallifestories/yourphotofate
- YMTV’s Public Service Videos on Sexting & Cyberbullying:www.athinline.org/videos
- Parry Aftab (www.aftab.com) talking about sexting on Today Showparryaftab.blogspot.com/2009/01/parry-talking-about-sexting-on-today.html
- Textual Harassment:ThatsNotCool.com is a good resource about textual harassment, as well as information for parents from aToday Show segment (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5un11ixfXvE). A nice video is here:www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/business/media/27adco.html?em
7. Emphasize that nothing is private (Future Employment, College Admissions)
- Protect My Rep protectmyrep.org/index.html
- Parents and privacy advocates say Instagram is unsafe for underage users goo.gl/dxke9T
- Me & My Shadow myshadow.org/
- Teens, Tumblr and the hidden worlds of the social web www.thedrum.com/opinion/2013/02/25/teens-tumblr-and-hidden-worlds-social-web
- What is Social Networking? Plain English video:www.commoncraft.com/video/social-networking
- 12 Things Students Should Never Do on Social Media: mashable.com/2012/09/04/students-social-media-warnings/
- Common Sense Tips for Protecting Personal Privacy Online:www.commonsensemedia.org/tips-protecting-personal-privacy-online and video:www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYmb1qz2zmE&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
- CNN Facebook Privacy Videohttpww.ccom/video/#/video/tech/2009/12/15/cb.facebook.privacy.cnn?iref=allsearch
- Common Sense Facebook Privacy Settings: What Parents Need to Know:www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-privacy-settings-what-parents-need-know
- Minnetonka High School Facebook/Footprint Video: vimeo.com/35886574
- President Obama warns children on Facebook postings:www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGQ-8ZgNvuE&feature=fvw
- Bulletin Board (Ad Council PSA)www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUu1fldBbI
- Everyone Knows Your Name (Ad Council PSA)www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT1GvPQG904
- Tracking Teresa (Elementary)www.netsmartz.org/stories/teresa.htm
- Take this Lollipop www.cnn.com/2011/10/27/tech/social-media/take-this-lollipop/index.html
- Jigsaw: Assembly for 8 10 year olds-www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o8auwnJtqE
- www.411.com Online White Pages with maps
- FYI, Phishing Scams in Plain Englishwww.commoncraft.com/phishing
- Please Rob Menews.bbc.co.uk/2/low/technology/8521598.stm
- 10 Things You Should Never Post on Social Networking Sites http://goo.gl/iymQR7
8. Explain that everything is permanent (Digital Footprint/Shadow)
- Protect My Rep protectmyrep.org/index.html
- Twitter Lasts Forever in the Library of Congress: www.startribune.com/lifestyle/188388871.html
- Minnetonka High School YouTube/College Admissions Video: vimeo.com/35886375
- Protecting Reputations in Plain Englishwww.commoncraft.com/protecting-reputations-video
- Digital Dossier www.youtube.com/watch?v=79IYZVYIVLA
- Internet Archive’s Way Back Machine: www.Archive.org
- Google Alertswww.google.com/alerts
- Online Reputations for College Admissionswww.safetyweb.com/reputation-for-college-bound-students
9. Talk about respectful etiquette and cyberbullying
- Are You a Cyberbully? Quiz www.stopcyberbullying.org/kids/are_you_a_cyberbully.html
- Rachel’s Challenge- Start a chain reaction: www.rachelschallenge.org
- Speak words of kindness, not cruelty.
- Forgive yourself and others.
- Choose positive influences.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Look for the best in others; eliminate prejudice
- Hazelden’s Olweus Anti-Bullying Curriculum www.hazelden.org/web/go/olweus
- Talent Show (Elementary and Middle School Kids) Ad Council www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQBurXQOeQ
- Kitchen (High School Kids) Ad Council www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmD8OKl8vVM
- Words Really Hurtwww.youtube.com/watch?v=t2kFVXDzKFc
- Illuminate Cyberbullyingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Sg2CbrI34&feature=channel
- Broken Friendshipwww.youtube.com/watch?v=uGPxxDYwT94
- You Can’t Take It Backwww.netsmartz.org/RealLifeStories/CantTakeItBack
- Connect with Kids Parent Video:www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2008/408_oct22/thisweek/081022_cyber.shtml
- “Submit the Documentary” the virtual reality of cyberbullying™ http://www.submitthedocumentary.com/
- Miscellaneous Texting Resources:
- Responsible Text Messaging Tipswww.commonsensemedia.org/responsible-text-messaging-tips
- IM, Online Lingowww.netlingo.com andwww.missingkids.com/adcouncil/lingo.html#
- NetLingo Internet Dictionarywww.netlingo.com/top50teens.cfm
- Once Upon a Time: Storytelling to Teach Character and Prevent Bullying: wisdomtales.com
- Parry Aftab, Cyber issues expert: www.aftab.com
- Cyberbullying leading to suicide- British video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNumIY9D7uY
- www.Cyberbully.org andwww.TeenAngels.org
10. Avoid Violent Video Games
- Dr. Walsh, Barney vs. Power Rangers: http://drdavewalsh.com/posts/41
- Dr. David Walsh “Whoever tells the stories defines the culture.” drdavewalsh.com/posts/75
- 10 Most violent Video Games www.commonsensemedia.org/new/10-most-violent-video-games-and-10-alternatives
- Virtual Worlds:www.SecondLife.com,www.nictropolis.com,www.webkinz.com/,www.clubpenguin.com
- I Was an Undercover Penguin: A Parent’s Eye-View of Kids’ Online Worldscommittedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=764
11. Teach the Dangers of Distracted Driving
- Texting & Driving – It Can Wait www.itcanwait.com
- Parents use technology to monitor teen drivers: http://goo.gl/fPpHqj
- Excellent 10 minute AT&T Video about Distracted Driving with victim/survivor interviews: http://goo.gl/ycY8V3
- Driving Distrations www.commonsensemedia.org/driving-distractions-dangers-car-electronics
- Tips to Prevent Text Messaging while Drivingwww.aaa.com/aaa/006/Press/teenTexting.html
- Cell phones & Teens Drivingwww.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2009/431_apr1/thisweek/090401_cell.shtml
- Very graphic, powerful British commercial about texting while driving: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E
- “Everybody Hurts”- powerful/graphic British drunk driving commercial, easily could be texting and driving: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8
Online resources to learn more:
- #1: www.CommonSenseMedia.orgGreat parent newsletter and phone app
- Minnetonka Public Schools Internet Safety Page for Parents www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/administration/technology/internetsafety
- Net Cetera (Federal Trade Commission) free materials:www.onguardonline.gov/topics/net-cetera.aspx
- Planet Nutshell (elementary students) http://www.planetnutshell.com/skill/netsafe/
- iKeepSafe www.iKeepSafe.org (Adventures of Faux Paw the Cat- good for younger kids)
- NetSmartz www.NetSmartz.org- great student scenario videos
- Google Digital Citizenship curriculum goo.gl/bbLnXW
- ChildNet (British Government)www.childnet.com
- Google’s Teach Parents about Technology:www.teachparentstech.org/watch
- Common Craft Technology in Plain English Videoswww.commoncraft.com/videos#technology
- Connect with Kids www.ConnectWithKids.com
- Overview of Teens and Technology from Parents: The Anti-Drug website. Great resources and an online “Crash Course” for parents on technology www.theantidrug.com/teens-technology/overview.asp
- PBS Parenting in an Internet Age www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/safe/parent.html
- Wired Safety www.WiredSafety.org -Parent Guide and contract
- McGruff www.McGruff.org/ProblemSolver/webSafety.htm
- The Internet Safety 101: Empowering Parents Program www.enough.org/inside.php?tag=internetsafety101
- Simple K12’s list of Internet Safety Sites www.simplek12.com/internetsafety
- Advertisingwww.pbskids.org/license/index.html Primary “web license” for kids, don’t buy it- advertising
Books (some recommended to me by others):
- Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids by David Walsh
- The Price of Privilege, also Teach Your Children Well by Madeline Levine
- A Parent’s Guide to Online Safetyby Doug Fodeman and Marje Monroe www.iste.org/store/product?ID=2600
- NO: Why Kids–of All Ages–Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by David Walsh
- WHY Do They Act That Way?: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh
- Alone Together by Sherry Turkle Digital connections… may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. Our networked life allows us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other. We’d rather text than talk. (pg. 1)
- How Much Is Enough?: Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible and Respectful Children — from Toddlers to Teens by Jean Illsley Clark
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
- Cyber Law: Maximizing Safety and Minimizing Risk in Classrooms by Aimee M. Bissonette
- Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons, Star Tribune article: www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=147246075
Safe Online Resources
- Check you local library websites for age appropriate databases such as Culturegrams, Britannica, Biographies in Context, TruFlix, and more
Sample Discussion Questions:
Cyberbullying/Harassment
- Talent Show Ad Council Commercial www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdQBurXQOeQ
- What are guidelines to follow when texting or writing about someone else online? (Be nice, be appropriate, words often get misinterpreted when read, think about saying what you are typing directly to someone in person, what you write is permanent.
- You Can’t Take it Back (Video and questions from NetSmartz’s Real Life Stories, www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife.htm)
- What would you do if you heard that a friend was going to rate some other students on the Internet?
- Would you ever put information on a web site that you intend only you and your friends to see? Why or why not?
- What do you do to respect other people’s rights while online?
- What guidelines do you follow to help you decide what information you should or should not post on the Internet?
- Broken Friendship (Video and questions from NetSmartz’s Real Life Stories, www.netsmartz.org/resources/reallife.htm)
- Why do you think the girl in the story gave her password to her best friend? Was it a good reason?
- What types of things can happen to her now that her password is out? (Her E-mail can be tampered with; people can assume her identity online; her bank or shopping accounts can be tampered with.)
- What should the girl do right away? (Change her password; tell her parents or guardian; contact her bank.)
- Does keeping your passwords private mean that you don’t trust your friends?
Dangers Sharing Personal Information/Digital Footprints
- Who is safe from predators? (No one is completely safe, but there are things we can do to prevent bad things from happening to us. Most people tend to think that they are the exception to the rule- something bad won’t happen to them, they won’t get harmed by a predator, etc.)
- Does setting your online profile to private keep you safe? (No- only as safe as all your viewers who have permission to see your stuff keep it private.)
- How might your actions online now affect your future? (Employment, college admissions, etc.)
- If you have a social networking page, would you be comfortable with your parents seeing it?
Inappropriate Material/Hollywood’s Influence
- How does viewing pornography affect people? (It is addictive, shows examples of unhealthy relationships, messes up your mind, makes you view people as objects, makes guys more aggressive and abusive towards girls, makes girls more passive and leads to eating disorders.)
- Brainstorm some things you could do when you are at a friend’s house and s/he wants to show you inappropriate material on the computer.
- What role does Media/Hollywood have on our perceptions of beauty?
- What is the story in your favorite video game?
- Do you think it is OK to play violent video games?
- What do you think your parents would say about your favorite video game? Would they play it with you?