Facebook’s launch of Messenger Kids is a game-changer – but not just in the way you might think. Sure it’s the world’s largest social media service’s first product for people under 13. That’s certainly big news, and what will capture most of the headlines this week. But it’s actually a combination of that and something less noticeable and more meaningful that’s really game-changing about Messenger … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Messenger Kids: Important new digital-parenting tool
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A YouTube for the littlest video viewers
Think of YouTube Kids as digital training wheels for the little video viewers at your house - something a lot of parents have been wanting for a very long time. We all know how popular but not always appropriate YouTube is for kids. Problem solved. Designed for kids through age 8, YouTube Kids carefully screens videos so the littlest online viewers can satisfy their seemingly over-active curiosity … [Read more...] about A YouTube for the littlest video viewers
Social media literacy in an app
Brilliant concept. A source of quick, digestible social media literacy delivered by an app, not parents (one reason why it's so digestible). I'm talking about the ThinkUp app. It's definitely not just for teens, but what a great application for a reputation-curation and media-mindfulness tool. It's so much more powerful than just googling oneself or getting a service like Reputation.com to help … [Read more...] about Social media literacy in an app
Manage Net risk but focus more on opportunities: Researchers
That's what the authors of the latest "Net Children Go Mobile" report conclude: It's great that the UK is "in many ways … leading in children's Internet safety," but "complacency would be ill-advised" and this success could be leading to a new kind of risk: reduced opportunity in and with connected media for British children. "By comparison with some other European countries, the UK appears to … [Read more...] about Manage Net risk but focus more on opportunities: Researchers
Hmm. Secret to open anonymous ‘Secret Dens’
It's unusual to see a tech reporter anticipating Net safety problems with a new social app feature. So I was impressed with a post by TechCrunch.com's Sarah Perez about Secret's forthcoming addition of "Secret Dens" for anonymous sharing in specific locations (like schools, companies and other organizations). Launched early this year, Secret is an app for sharing thoughts, "secrets," etc. … [Read more...] about Hmm. Secret to open anonymous ‘Secret Dens’