One of the things we ConnectSafely folk often say to parents asking us about online safety measures is, first and foremost, "Talk with your kids." We say that for a number of reasons, the chief one being that there is no single safety measure – whether it's a rule or parental-control tool – that's right for all kids. Internet use, like life (and embedded in it), is very individual. We use that … [Read more...] about Rosalind Wiseman on how to talk with our sons
Aggregated extortion, digital footprints’ dark side & second chances
This is the chilling side of the digital footprint (something that everybody has) – chilling because the takeaway seems to be that nobody can make a mistake anymore. Web sites with names like BustedMugshots and JustMugshots claim they're doing society a favor by publishing photos that document arrests (not convictions) en masse. And when prospective employers or even people looking for a date or … [Read more...] about Aggregated extortion, digital footprints’ dark side & second chances
Will Maryland AG’s project with Facebook teach him about social media?
Schools and parents may be interested to hear about a pilot program Facebook has put in place with Maryland's Attorney General Douglas Gansler, because – if successful – it may roll out nationwide. The "Educator Escalation Channel" offers school staff dealing with cyberbullying (one point person per school system) a "direct channel" to Facebook staff that handles abuse reports, the AG's office … [Read more...] about Will Maryland AG’s project with Facebook teach him about social media?
Students in social media: There’s monitoring & then there’s monitoring
There's an upside and a serious downside to monitoring students in social media, and the upside doesn't involve outsourcing (that was an understatement). You'll see what I'm talking about when you get to the downside down there, but let's start with where and how it would actually help.… In her thoughtful commentary, "What inner city kids know about social media, and why we should listen," … [Read more...] about Students in social media: There’s monitoring & then there’s monitoring
Cybersecurity where kids are concerned
Today (October 1) marks the start of the US's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It's an increasingly important kind of awareness for everybody to have, because, in this very social media environment, security – of our data, identity and property – is just as "crowd-sourced" as media is now. And we all know that kids are doing as much, if not more, sharing and producing as everybody else. So … [Read more...] about Cybersecurity where kids are concerned