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digitalparents  //  Aggregating news, information, advice and resources connected with technology and parenting.

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Aug 31 / 1:39am

Jilliane Hoffman: Protecting Your Child From Cyber-Monsters

by Toby Treacher
Then talk to your kids about limiting the amount of personal information they post, particularly addresses and schedules; inappropriate posts and pictures; the new horrible growing fad of sexting; and finally, limiting the amount of "friends" they have and just what those friends are able to see. And as a parent you have to know of what you speak. So if you don't have a Facebook or MySpace yourself, you better thoroughly check it out.
via huffingtonpost.com

Interesting article in the Huffington Post about some US stats on sex offenders and their use of the Internet.

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Filed under  //  parents   social networks  

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Aug 24 / 2:57am

Services Monitor Children’s Activities Online - NYTimes.com

by Toby Treacher

The new companies include SafetyWeb, based in Denver; SocialShield, of San Mateo, Calif.; and MyChild, a service of ReputationDefender, in Redwood City, Calif. These services scour the Web to create easily digestible reports for parents of everything a child is doing online.

The companies charge for subscriptions; the lowest costs $10 a month or $100 a year. For harried parents, the question is: Are they worth it?

Certainly not for people who are Web-savvy. The services gather data that can be freely collected with a bit of ardent Web searching.

But many parents are overworked and generally overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological change and the continuing introduction of social Web sites. For these people, a simple Internet cheat sheet on their child — even at $100 a year — could be a useful tool.

via nytimes.com

Looks like companies are starting to offer paid for peace of mind for absentee parents. On the surface this may look like a good solution but there is more to it than just installing the software...

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Aug 18 / 4:30pm

A Movie for Anyone On FaceBook

by Toby Treacher
via youtube.com

Nice take on Facebook privacy, worth 6 minutes... and don't forget, if you can keep things from other people, imagine how much they are hiding.

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Filed under  //  social networks  

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Aug 15 / 10:28am

Too young for Facebook, cellphones? | Stuff.co.nz

by Toby Treacher
Ask an expert when children should get access to technology and the loudest answer is: It depends on the maturity of the child and what they've been taught about how to safely use those technologies.
via stuff.co.nz

Interesting article from NZ looking at mobile phones, Facebook & Internet access, email and digital cameras...

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Aug 13 / 3:23am

CODE9 | Flickr

by Toby Treacher
via flickr.com

These messages are spreading on social networks and via email - also P999 or P911 is used!

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Filed under  //  parents   social networks  

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Aug 2 / 9:52am

Terra

by Toby Treacher
via worktobejudged.com

Fantastic use of technology to make a point...

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Filed under  //  advertising   software  

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Jul 25 / 3:39am

10 tips from teens to adults | @15

by Toby Treacher

Make eye contact.

Ask open-ended questions. Build the conversation.

Pay attention. Don't multi-task or get distracted when you're with us. Respond to our messages and texts.

Do what you say you're going to do.

Give compliments. Show that you're glad to see us or hear from us. Send us personalized cards.

Don't feel like you have to be on guard.

Attend our concerts, games and other events. Ask us to show you what we can do.

Laugh at our jokes. Show us your humor.

Ask us for our ideas. Share your own, too.

Teach us what you know. Push us to do our best.

via at15.com

Interesting report on American teens that is just a relevant for everyone.

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Filed under  //  parents   tips  

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Jul 22 / 2:41am

IPA TouchPoints: Online use up but digital Britain not yet a reality

by Toby Treacher

he survey also finds that the influence of Twitter and LinkedIn might have been overstated with only 4% of adults using the micro-blogging service once a week or more, while the weekly reach for LinkedIn is 1.4%.

Young adults were found to use the internet and social networks more than older users with 43% of 15-24-year-olds reporting an increase in time spent online compared to 20% growth among 55+ adults.

via nma.co.uk

some interesting stats on UK digital usage

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Filed under  //  research   resources  

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Jul 12 / 1:50am

Helping Both the Victim and the Bully - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

by Toby Treacher
What do you do if your child is traumatized by online bullying? And what can be done to help bullies understand the impact of their actions?
via well.blogs.nytimes.com

Excellent in deeper look at cyberbullying

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Filed under  //  cyberbullying   parents   tips  

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Jul 9 / 1:39am

Parent Advice - 5 Ways to Unplug on Vacation - Common Sense Media

by Toby Treacher

1. Soften the blow. Call a family meeting to discuss your vacation schedule. Explain that it's going to be a digital-free trip -- and why. Then move quickly to No. 2.

2. Be flexible. So no one feels completely out of touch, plan something media-related that you can all do together. Have a family movie night, or schedule time during the day that gives everyone time to check their email or text a friend. (Set a timer!)

3. Unplug yourself. Kids learn more from what we do than from what we say. So say so long to your iPhone or Blackberry.

4. Do your research. Plan off-line activities that relate to where you're going. If you're going to Hawaii, learn about the native culture -- or take hula lessons!

5. Choose the road less traveled. Unplug your GPS, and have the kids navigate using a paper map. Extra credit for those who refold the map correctly.

via commonsensemedia.org

Found as I pack the chargers, games etc...

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