So many online reputation experts say the most basic tool is to Google yourself that it seems only natural Google would come out with its own rep-management tool. "The tool, 'Me on the Web,' is now included on the Google dashboard in between account information and analytics," reports a USATODAY blog. Google's explanation is something that needs to become intuitive to every Web user: "Your online … [Read more...] about Google’s new reputation-checking tool
Risk & Safety
New family gaming experience: Ohanarama
Anybody who grew up with or knows somebody who grew up with Disney's Lilo & Stitch film and cartoons knows "ohana" means "family" in Hawaiian, but also something more. The creators of Ohanarama are going for that spirit of multi-generational togetherness with their just-launched gaming service, which is now an app on Facebook and a site. Right now, the free, growing service offers single- and … [Read more...] about New family gaming experience: Ohanarama
You know that’s not your child’s Internet, right?
So Amina Arraf, "gay girl in Damascus," was actually a straight man from Georgia, USA, living in Scotland. "We could not make this up," wrote reporter Monica Hesse in the Washington Post. But regardless of how many similar Internet fictions she points to and how great her writing is, this is very unlikely to be your children's Internet, parents – just enjoy the story. How can I say that? Because … [Read more...] about You know that’s not your child’s Internet, right?
The teen sexting ‘trainwreck’ & state laws
US Rep. Anthony Weiner's very public personal disaster story has made sexting top-of-mind again, but there's good news in all this: More and more states are considering "relaxing penalties for teen sexting," as the Boston.com headline put it, because lawmakers throughout the US are now recognizing that "the problem of teen sexting didn’t exist when they enacted harsh punishments for child porn and … [Read more...] about The teen sexting ‘trainwreck’ & state laws
Ultra safe playgrounds turn out to be not so safe
This story in Australia isn't about technology, but consider children's online safety as you read, ok? News.com.au reports that playground equipment has become so safe as to increase harm to children. How can that be? Super-safe playgrounds keep children from learning calculated risk-taking. "Playground injuries were often a result of children being poorly coordinated because they did not know how … [Read more...] about Ultra safe playgrounds turn out to be not so safe