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
Sonia Livingstone
Easier to be themselves online, offline: Study
In a fresh insight from the EU Kids Online pan-European research project, almost half (49%) of 11-to-16-year-olds in Europe say they find it easier to be themselves online than in person. Thirty-seven percent told the researchers this is "a bit true" for them and 12% "very true," according to the authors (click for PDF by "New report" on their home page). "The young people who said it was very … [Read more...] about Easier to be themselves online, offline: Study
Pan-European survey of 25,000 kids
A just-released survey of more than 25,000 9-to-16-year-olds (and one of each child's parents) in 25 European countries recommends that Internet companies "provide more ways for children to block, filter or report alarming online content and contacts," yet only a little over a quarter (28%) of families surveyed actually use such tech tools. According to the study's press release, the findings … [Read more...] about Pan-European survey of 25,000 kids
Europe’s update of the youth online risk picture
A new study of online risks to youth in 23 European countries found that "the Internet is now central to children’s lives across Europe, and they use it for a range of things which are often beneficial including schoolwork, playing games, watching video and instant messaging," reported lead author Sonia Livingstone at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The EU Kids Online … [Read more...] about Europe’s update of the youth online risk picture
The new media monsters we’ve created for our kids
In adjusting to a media environment very different from the mass-media one we grew up in, we adults have created some monsters. They're large, intimidating "creatures" that threaten the mutually respectful parent-child and educator-student communication that young people want and deserve in this highly participatory, sometimes overwhelming new media environment.One of the monsters is the "digital … [Read more...] about The new media monsters we’ve created for our kids