Parental Online Alert Re: Momo
There have been recent reports in nearly every major news channel about ‘Momo’. To respond to this, National Online Safety has created a balanced guide which provides parents and carers with information to help. We encourage parents and carers to read this guide which includes tips to better monitor online activity and have meaningful conversations with their children about online safety.
What is Digital Citizenship?
Check out the link below from 40 second video from Common Sense Media about Digital Citizenship
How do I keep up with the latest social apps and sites teens are using?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/how-do-i-keep-up-with-the-latest-social-apps-and-sites-teens-are-using Take a little time to do your research. Our reviews and parenting advice can be an excellent starting point. Other parents also can be great resources. Ask around, and keep your ears open during parents' night at school for any cell phone or social media issues the school is dealing with. Most importantly, talk -- and listen -- to your kids. They might tell you everything you want to know or at least drop the name of an app or a website you can check out on your own. Even if you can't stay on top of every new app, concentrate your efforts on keeping the lines of communication open so kids will come to you if a problem arises. Make sure kids know it's OK to make mistakes and that they don't need to hide these from you -- that you can actually help them through tough spots. Beyond that, here are a few more ideas:
Is the internet making my kid socially isolated?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/my-kids-only-friends-are-their-online-pals-should-i-worry For some kids who are shy, not very secure socially, or simply interested in a topic their real-world friends aren't into, the online world can be a lifesaver. Some kids feel emboldened to experiment creatively, meet new people, pursue their interests, and try new things in a way they wouldn't feel comfortable doing in person. Your kid also may just be going through a phase or may not talk about his or her "real" friends. But, if your kids are unable to make friends at school or through groups, if they can only find happiness online, and if they pursue the online world to the exclusion of in-person relationships and experiences, you might need to intervene. Even though today's kids socialize a lot online, they actually prefer face-to-face interactions. Consider whether these issues point to underlying issues that may have nothing to do with being online but might be signs of depression, being bullied, or other offline issues, and, of course, seek outside help if necessary. Also be aware that kids whose social lives revolve around the online world can be led into risky situations. Make sure your online-oriented kid understands that people can misrepresent themselves online, and that they should never give money, photos, or personal information to or meet anyone that they've only had contact with online. The Child Mind Institute contributed to this article. Learn more at childmind.org. How can I explain why teens shouldn't create fake profiles to tease their friends and/or peers?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-instagram-and-social/how-can-i-explain-why-teens-shouldnt-create-fake-profiles-to-tease Kids might be tempted to do this as a prank, without realizing the implications. But thinking through the consequences of one's online actions is an important part of digital citizenship -- and a great thing to talk to your kids about as soon as they begin to connect online, create social media profiles, or even simply text with friends. A few things to ask:
Is there any social media that's good for kids?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-instagram-and-social/is-there-any-social-media-thats-good-for-kids Finding social sites specifically designed to be beneficial is a good idea. Though 45 percent of teens say they use social media every day, they rank it lower in personal enjoyment than every other kind of media. So it's possible many teens use social media simply because their friends do and they don't want to miss anything, rather than actually liking what social media has to offer. Kids are moving away from having one social-media destination (such as Facebook) and instead downloading different apps for different purposes. That makes it easier to find those that promote positive interactions, as well as those that enable teens to explore their interests, be creative, make connections, and learn about the world. And though these niche options might not take the place of Instagram, for example, they might make kids a little happier. Here are some options to explore: Brighten. Though it can't replace the power of positive, personal interaction, this social media app tries to spread good vibes from user to user. Code Academy. For budding programmers, or anyone else who wants to pick up some 21st-century skills, Code Academy is a great way to learn, create, and share computer code with like-minded folks. Everloop: Goobit. Designed for kids 8 to 15, Everloop has a motto -- "Be cool, be clean, be confidential" -- that says it all. Minecraft. This open-world, "sandbox-style" creative game lets kids play, build, and share no matter what their skill levels. Path. A maximum of 150 connections is all that's allowed on this social media app that encourages users to share more selectively with "high-quality" friends. Sit With Us. Created by a teen, this app lets kids arrange to eat together in advance to avoid the painfully awkward school experience of standing there with a lunch tray, not knowing where to sit. We Are Here DIYDoc. If your kid is a budding journalist or just has a story to tell and share, this app helps kids create simple documentary stories and share them. WordPress. Writerly kids can't get much better than this classy, easy-to-use blogging app that lets them write from their phones. |
How can I help my kid avoid digital drama?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/how-can-i-help-my-kid-avoid-digital-drama To adults, digital drama and cyberbullying may seem one and the same. But to kids, there's a difference. Unlike cyberbullying, which involves repeated harassment of someone, digital drama is the everyday tiffs and disputes that occur among friends or acquaintances online or via text message. A guy may change his relationship status to "single" immediately after a fight with his girlfriend to make a statement. A teen may post a comment about someone else knowing that people will see it, friends may chime in, and people will talk about it. In the same way that the word drama describes a performance, kids usually engage in online drama with an audience in mind. In some cases, digital drama can escalate into an offline fight -- either verbal or physical. Here's how you can help your kid avoid this: Help set boundaries. Understand that these days relationships often are played out both online and offline. Kids need their family's guidance in establishing appropriate boundaries for healthy relationships. Take a time-out. With constant access to texting and posting online, kids don't get a break from the back and forth that can keep digital drama going. Have some device-free time to give kids a chance to cool off. Let them know you're always there for them. Remind your kids often that you're always available to talk. While you're at it, remind them about the school counselor, a favorite teacher, a coach, or even a friend's parent. Knowing that they have a trusted adult to talk to may encourage teens to open up more. Use media to talk about drama. Reality TV shows often present extreme behavior as entertainment. Discuss why these shows are less likely to depict positive conflict resolution. Also talk about how these shows can encourage negative stereotypes about female friendships. Should I friend or follow my teen on social media?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/should-i-friend-or-follow-my-teen-on-social-media You can ask, but don't insist on it. Some families are connected on social media and it works for them. Some teens don't want their parents seeing everything on their pages (and will block you from seeing things, which kind of defeats the purpose of being friends). Following your teens online opens up a can of worms, and you'll have to figure out how to negotiate that new relationship. If your teens let you friend or follow them, stay in the background (don't comment or "like" their posts unless they want you to), pick your battles, and make sure to address anything important face to face, not on their pages in front of their friends. How can I know that my teen is being safe and responsible when she's using anonymous/self-destructing apps such as Snapchat?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/how-can-i-know-that-my-teen-is-being-safe-and-responsible-when-shes-using-anonymousself Snapchat -- the photo-sharing app that lets you text a picture that disappears within one to 10 seconds -- is designed to capture fleeting moments. The app seems like a consequence-free way to share life's little moments. But if kids think the photo will self-destruct, it's not hard to imagine they might send something they otherwise wouldn't. The trouble is, there's no guarantee that anything they send to someone else will stay private. Once posted, sent, or shared, it's out of their control. Recipients can take a screenshot of the image and share it with others. There are also third-party apps that can be used to save Snapchat images without the sender knowing, and these apps have been hacked in the past and "private" Snapchat" images shared with the public online. Your kids may view Snapchat as easy, fun, and cool. So long as it's used appropriately, it can be. You know your kids best and probably have a good sense of their maturity levels and levels of impulse control. But anything that reduces the time between thought and action is a risk for kids, whose ability to think through the consequences of their actions isn't fully developed. It's critical that you discuss appropriate, responsible use of the app and why sexting is a giant no-no. Is it safe for my 14-year-old to use her real name and photo on her Instagram profile?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-instagram-and-social/is-it-safe-for-my-14-year-old-to-use-her-real-name-and-photo-on-her As long as she's using privacy settings, uploading responsibly, and connecting only with people she knows, she's using Instagram safely. But Instagram posts are public by default, so you have to manually set your profile to private -- and teens should definitely do so. Going private offers a few benefits: Only people you approve can follow you, and your posts will not come up in searches. However, if your daughter shares her Instagrams on other social networks where she's not private, those posts will be viewable to her followers on those networks. So, you're right in insisting that she use strict privacy settings for all her social media accounts. A note: Because Instagram is owned by Facebook (which requires your real name for sign-up), many users end up using their Facebook usernames for Instagram. But Instagram allows you to choose any name you'd like once you're a user -- something to consider if you and your teen want an extra layer of privacy. What can I do for my social media-obsessed teen?from Common Sense Media
www.commonsensemedia.org/facebook-instagram-and-social/what-can-i-do-for-my-social-media-obsessed-teen For most teens, their social lives are the most important thing. While many teens report positive experiences with social media, including making new friends, feeling more connected to their friends, and getting support from online pals, it can be anxiety-producing, too. Common Sense Media's Census found that lots of teens use social media every day, but they don't like it as much as they like other media. That may indicate that they feel pressured to stay on top of their social lives so they're not left out. Try to suss out your teen's feelings about social media. If she's always on it due to FOMO (fear of missing out), she feels worse after using it, and it's affecting other areas of her life, it may be time to step in. Try to limit her use and help her gain perspective by getting her involved in other activities. She might even enjoy other online social sites that are productive and positive, such as movie and book fan sites or social sites such as Pinterest, which are less about collecting likes or fans. If she's feeling depressed or has other signs of anxiety (withdrawal from social or family activities, falling grades, a dramatic change in behavior), contact your pediatrician for help. |