I’ve blogged before about Internet safety and parents’ responsibility around home use of computers. Our IT Facilitator, Colin Gallagher has offered several workshops and discussions to parents here at school on the subject. We believe that it is our joint responsibility to support the safe and appropriate use of technology. We continue to use Internet, class blogs and on-line applications as opportunities to help children learn how to use technology to enhance learning and to do this in a way that allows them to understand responsible use of technology. Technology does and will continue to open up an exciting world of learning and students are able to make extraordinary connections to others and the world around them. It is important, as parents, that you teach yourselves and keep up with how to be a responsible parent at home. Common Sense Media (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/) is the source of the article today on the blog. Common Sense Media is a San Francisco based non-profit organization that advocates on child and family issues, and studies the effects that media and technology have on young users. You will find just about every technology resource that you, as a parent might need to build your knowledge on this issue! Hope you take a look.
Media and Digital Literacy: Resources for Parents
Young people are immersed in technology in ways previous generations could not have imagined. Common Sense Media has compiled this list of resources for parents seeking advice and information about how to help their children explore smartly and stay safe.
BY COMMON SENSE MEDIA
Family Media Management
From movies to TV to games, kids are spending more time with electronic devices than ever before. Common Sense Media encourages parents to take control of the media and technology in their family's life in order to maintain a balance of rich learning experiences with entertainment.
Tip: Use media together. Whenever you can, watch, play, and listen with your kids. Talk about the content. When you can't be there, ask them about the media they've used. Help kids question and analyze media messages. Share your own values. Let them know how you feel about solving problems with violence, stereotyping others, selling products using sex or cartoon characters, or advertising to kids in schools or movie theaters. Help kids connect what they learn in the media to real-life events and other activities -- like playing sports and creating art -- in order to broaden their understanding of the world. (From "Tips for a Healthy Media Diet.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Parents’ Guide to YouTube
• Parents’ Guide to Kids and Cell Phones
• Rethinking Your All-Access Pass to Your Kid’s Life
• Ten Things You Never Thought Your Kids Would Learn from Video Games
Internet Safety and Online Privacy
In today’s world, where sharing is becoming the norm, there's a lot of talk about privacy and online reputation. Everything kids say or do online can affect how others view their character. These articles offer parents insight into how companies can collect and use their kids' data and personal information -- and what they can do about it.
Tip: Explain that nothing is really private online. It's crucial for kids to guard their own online privacy by not posting and sharing things they don't want to become public. A few more tips: Ask permission before you go online. Never share passwords. Keep personal details -- name, address, phone number, how much money your parents make -- to yourself. Think before you post -- is this really something you want to share? Only communicate with people you know -- never chat with or send photos to strangers. (From "Parents’ Guide to Protecting Kids' Privacy Online.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• A Day in the Life of Your Kids' Privacy: How Much Privacy Can Be Lost in Just One Hour Online
• Privacy Overview Video and Protecting Personal Privacy
• Internet Safety: Rules of the Road for Kids
• Help Your Kids Stay Safe and Secure in a 24/7 Digital World
Social Networking and Virtual Worlds
Now more than ever, kids are chatting, sharing, and connecting on social networking sites. The latest research from Common Sense reveals that teens are avid, daily users of social media, and 75% of them currently have a profile on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Formspring. While they can use social tools to get the best of what the Web has to offer, tragic stories of cyberbullying seem to be a daily news staple. These tips and resources will help parents keep kids' online lives responsible, respectful, safe, and private.
Tip: Help kids understand the line between funny and cruel. Kids' online communication is often purposely ambiguous or accidentally cruel -- both of which can lead to misunderstandings. If drama starts brewing, ask your kid to call or speak face-to-face with their friend to clear it up. (From "Five Things You Need to Know About Cyberbullying.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• When Texting Turns to Torment: How to Deal with Digital Harassment
• Social Networking Tips for Parents
• Facebook Photos Gone Wild
• Social Networking for Kids
Role Models and Stereotypes
Kids look up to celebrities -- and take their cues from people they admire. Too much sexy material and violent imagery can affect their behavior and the choices they make. Body image, self-esteem, and weight issues are all affected by the media that young people watch, play, and interact with. These articles help explain the influence of celebrity culture and media stereotypes. They'll help parents make healthy, age-appropriate choices for their family.
Tip: Grab the headlines, and make them teachable moments. If you see teen drinking on a TV show -- or you see pictures on the Internet of celebs smoking pot or getting arrested for drunk driving -- check in with your kids. For young kids, see how much they understand. Grade-schoolers get a lot of confusing information from their peers, so set the facts straight. For preteens, turn celebrity misbehavior into teachable moments by letting them know what you think about the behavior. And for teens, ask questions. For example, if a celebrity they like is in trouble with alcohol, ask whether their peers are using alcohol or whether they have any anxieties or questions about drinking. Take time to share your opinions -- and expectations -- about the issues. (From "When Good Role Models Go Bad.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Balancing Media with a Healthy Lifestyle
• Why Media Role Models Matter
• Boys Don't Cry
• Too Sexy Too Soon: A New Breed of Sexy Images in the Media
Educational Issues
We all want our kids to succeed in school. We want to reinforce classroom learning and values at home and be well-equipped to address some of the issues that come up while our kids are navigating technology and digital media to support their schoolwork. These articles will help families guide their kids to make smart, ethical decisions in their digital lives.
Tip: Don’t assume that your children automatically know what’s right and wrong. The digital world operates with different rules -- that is, wherever rules even exist. Establish rules about use right from the start. Make sure kids have cited their material, clearly indicating where they found that statistic, that insight, that map. Be explicit about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior. Don't assume they know. And make sure you have real consequences for breaking the rules. (From "Cheating Goes High-Tech.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Illegal Downloads: When Sharing Becomes Stealing
• Music and Your Kids
• Creating with Digital Media
• Parent Tip Sheet: Digital Piracy (PDF)
• Parent Tip Sheet: Respecting Creative Work (PDF)
It's our hope that these curated parent tips and resources will help guide you through both the challenges and opportunities that come along with raising kids in a digital world. For more information, media reviews, and advice, visit the Common Sense Media website.
Young people are immersed in technology in ways previous generations could not have imagined. Common Sense Media has compiled this list of resources for parents seeking advice and information about how to help their children explore smartly and stay safe.
BY COMMON SENSE MEDIA
Family Media Management
From movies to TV to games, kids are spending more time with electronic devices than ever before. Common Sense Media encourages parents to take control of the media and technology in their family's life in order to maintain a balance of rich learning experiences with entertainment.
Tip: Use media together. Whenever you can, watch, play, and listen with your kids. Talk about the content. When you can't be there, ask them about the media they've used. Help kids question and analyze media messages. Share your own values. Let them know how you feel about solving problems with violence, stereotyping others, selling products using sex or cartoon characters, or advertising to kids in schools or movie theaters. Help kids connect what they learn in the media to real-life events and other activities -- like playing sports and creating art -- in order to broaden their understanding of the world. (From "Tips for a Healthy Media Diet.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Parents’ Guide to YouTube
• Parents’ Guide to Kids and Cell Phones
• Rethinking Your All-Access Pass to Your Kid’s Life
• Ten Things You Never Thought Your Kids Would Learn from Video Games
Internet Safety and Online Privacy
In today’s world, where sharing is becoming the norm, there's a lot of talk about privacy and online reputation. Everything kids say or do online can affect how others view their character. These articles offer parents insight into how companies can collect and use their kids' data and personal information -- and what they can do about it.
Tip: Explain that nothing is really private online. It's crucial for kids to guard their own online privacy by not posting and sharing things they don't want to become public. A few more tips: Ask permission before you go online. Never share passwords. Keep personal details -- name, address, phone number, how much money your parents make -- to yourself. Think before you post -- is this really something you want to share? Only communicate with people you know -- never chat with or send photos to strangers. (From "Parents’ Guide to Protecting Kids' Privacy Online.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• A Day in the Life of Your Kids' Privacy: How Much Privacy Can Be Lost in Just One Hour Online
• Privacy Overview Video and Protecting Personal Privacy
• Internet Safety: Rules of the Road for Kids
• Help Your Kids Stay Safe and Secure in a 24/7 Digital World
Social Networking and Virtual Worlds
Now more than ever, kids are chatting, sharing, and connecting on social networking sites. The latest research from Common Sense reveals that teens are avid, daily users of social media, and 75% of them currently have a profile on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Formspring. While they can use social tools to get the best of what the Web has to offer, tragic stories of cyberbullying seem to be a daily news staple. These tips and resources will help parents keep kids' online lives responsible, respectful, safe, and private.
Tip: Help kids understand the line between funny and cruel. Kids' online communication is often purposely ambiguous or accidentally cruel -- both of which can lead to misunderstandings. If drama starts brewing, ask your kid to call or speak face-to-face with their friend to clear it up. (From "Five Things You Need to Know About Cyberbullying.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• When Texting Turns to Torment: How to Deal with Digital Harassment
• Social Networking Tips for Parents
• Facebook Photos Gone Wild
• Social Networking for Kids
Role Models and Stereotypes
Kids look up to celebrities -- and take their cues from people they admire. Too much sexy material and violent imagery can affect their behavior and the choices they make. Body image, self-esteem, and weight issues are all affected by the media that young people watch, play, and interact with. These articles help explain the influence of celebrity culture and media stereotypes. They'll help parents make healthy, age-appropriate choices for their family.
Tip: Grab the headlines, and make them teachable moments. If you see teen drinking on a TV show -- or you see pictures on the Internet of celebs smoking pot or getting arrested for drunk driving -- check in with your kids. For young kids, see how much they understand. Grade-schoolers get a lot of confusing information from their peers, so set the facts straight. For preteens, turn celebrity misbehavior into teachable moments by letting them know what you think about the behavior. And for teens, ask questions. For example, if a celebrity they like is in trouble with alcohol, ask whether their peers are using alcohol or whether they have any anxieties or questions about drinking. Take time to share your opinions -- and expectations -- about the issues. (From "When Good Role Models Go Bad.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Balancing Media with a Healthy Lifestyle
• Why Media Role Models Matter
• Boys Don't Cry
• Too Sexy Too Soon: A New Breed of Sexy Images in the Media
Educational Issues
We all want our kids to succeed in school. We want to reinforce classroom learning and values at home and be well-equipped to address some of the issues that come up while our kids are navigating technology and digital media to support their schoolwork. These articles will help families guide their kids to make smart, ethical decisions in their digital lives.
Tip: Don’t assume that your children automatically know what’s right and wrong. The digital world operates with different rules -- that is, wherever rules even exist. Establish rules about use right from the start. Make sure kids have cited their material, clearly indicating where they found that statistic, that insight, that map. Be explicit about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior. Don't assume they know. And make sure you have real consequences for breaking the rules. (From "Cheating Goes High-Tech.")
More Resources from Common Sense:
• Illegal Downloads: When Sharing Becomes Stealing
• Music and Your Kids
• Creating with Digital Media
• Parent Tip Sheet: Digital Piracy (PDF)
• Parent Tip Sheet: Respecting Creative Work (PDF)
It's our hope that these curated parent tips and resources will help guide you through both the challenges and opportunities that come along with raising kids in a digital world. For more information, media reviews, and advice, visit the Common Sense Media website.