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After the arrest of an alleged child molester who was accessing porn in a Phoenix, Ariz., library, the city is pushing for regulations that would "bar adults from disabling filters designed to block objectionable Web pages on library computers," the Arizona Republic reports. Opponents say the city's regs would violate people's free-speech rights. "Previously, such stances, whether at the state, … [Read more...] about Libraries & filters: Fresh reports

I get lots of email from makers and publishers of resources for parents. I don't endorse products and software because, as a little nonprofit, Net Family News doesn't have the resources to test them properly, but I do occasional roundups in case there's something you've been looking for among these (I do check out every Web site and only pass along the ones I feel are worth a look). Click here for … [Read more...] about Misc. resources for online familes

Fifty-six percent of US kids 13+ have cell phones, according to Common Sense Media, which suggests that parents are dealing with some phone issues. The kids' media literacy organization offers some good advice to head off some of the harsher of these - suggestions such as forging a family contract that establishes who pays for extra minutes each month, deals with protecting young phone-users' … [Read more...] about Kids ‘n’ cell phones

Well, the numbers are growing - more than 40% of online Americans 18+ now instant message (53 million), according to just-released figures from the Pew Internet & American Life project. But look at the breakdown from AOL's survey that included teens (in 20 large cities, as opposed to Pew's rural and urban sample): 90% of 13-to-21-year-olds IM, 71% of those 22-34, 55% of people 35-54, and 48% of … [Read more...] about IM: Grownups catching up?

Young reporters with Children's PressLine are covering the Republican National Convention just as they did the Democratic one (see "Kids & politics" in my blog). One reporter asked a delegate from Texas about how Republicans will address children's issues, and was told that "providing social services is the job of 'churches and Christians. If it's done through the churches ... children will be … [Read more...] about Youth covering the convention