KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINE

Raising Good Digital Citizens

Goals for the Presentation

• • • To understand how your children are using personal technology To understand your role in teaching kids to be mindful, careful, and considerate digital citizens To start an ongoing conversation about Internet safety with friends, family, neighbors, and teachers

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Welcome

Children start using technology at an early age Knowing how to use the Internet responsibly is a critical skill Digital technology is an important social tool for kids, particularly teens The overarching goal is to make sure they are good digital citizens Technology use and safety need to be an ongoing conversation with parents, kids, teachers, friends, etc .

Parents’ Role Changes

• • • Your role with your kids’ technology use and online lives changes over time For younger children using a shared device, parents act as guardians, monitoring online activity and making sure kids’ choices are age-appropriate For older children, parents act more as advisers, reminding them of the consequences of their choices and directing them toward positive ones

What Does It Mean To Be a Good Digital Citizen?

In short, it means being mindful, careful, and considerate when using technology and spending time online .

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Technology at Home

Do schoolwork Use apps Visit virtual worlds Play multiuser games Use social media: post profiles and interact on social media sites Text with friends

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Technology at School

Access homework assignments and study materials Communicate with teachers and classmates Watch educational videos and visit educational websites Conduct research

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Facts and Stats

95% of 12- to 17-year-olds are online* 81% of online teens use a social network* 75% have a phone* 31% of 8- to 10-year-olds have a phone**

Source: *Pew Research Internet Project **Kaiser Family Foundation

What Do They Do on Mobile Devices?

With smartphones, tablets, and iTouch and similar devices, it’s easier than ever for young kids to be plugged in whenever they want to be. Here’s what they’re doing: • • • • • 63% play games 50% use apps 47% watch videos 38% watch TV/movies 30% read books

Source: Common Sense Media

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Social Media/Networking

81% of teens who are online use social networks.

Their sites of choice include Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Vine, Instagram, and Snapchat.

They use the sites primarily to connect with friends and follow their updates, and to post their own updates, photos, and videos.

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Potential Risks of Social Media

Can be a big “time suck” and distraction from homework and other responsibilities Can foster tweens/teens’ natural impulsivity and failure to consider consequences Can encourage predators and scammers Can lead to an unflattering digital footprint that can follow kids through college

Kids and Mobile Phones

• • • Nearly 80% of teens have a mobile phone*; many younger children do, as well.

Mobile phones can offer parents and kids a measure of comfort when they are away from home.

There’s no “magic” time for a child to have a phone. Factors to consider include his age, what he wants to use it for, and the expense.

Source: Pew Research Internet Project

Tips for Mobile Monitoring

• • • • • Put a password on the phone Install Internet filter and parental control apps if needed Set phone limits Make sure phones are charged outside of kids’ bedroom at night Set up nighttime shut-off through cell provider

Cyberbullying

• • • • Using online technology to repeatedly act cruelly to someone Posting or forwarding a private text or embarrassing image to others Tricking someone into revealing embarrassing information and forwarding it Spreading rumors

Dealing With Cyberbullying

Along with monitoring your child’s social media, tell him to: • Resist responding to unkind remarks • Block the cyberbully • Tell a trusted adult • Save the posts and notify law enforcement or the school, if appropriate • Consider deactivating his account if it continues to affect him negatively

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Other Safety Tips

Be familiar with the sites your child visits and the games he plays.

Know his online “friends.” Know his passwords.

Keep an ongoing dialogue about the ways he’s using digital technology and its effects.

Keep your security software up to date.

Post information about and photos of your kids wisely.

Protect Against Predators and Scams

• • • • Don’t click on unfamiliar links.

Don’t open or reply to emails from unknown senders.

Avoid videos that require you to download video player software.

Don’t enter online contests or giveaways.

Take Your Job as an Online Role Model Seriously

Kids take their social cues from adults. This includes online behavior.

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A Digital Code of Conduct

Protect your personal information.

Treat others online as you would treat them in person.

Stand up for others—don’t tolerate cyberbullying.

Avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement.

Create secure passwords and keep them secret from your friends.

Delete (and don’t open) suspicious emails.

Ignore contact from strangers online.

Tell your parents if something you read online makes you uncomfortable.

Check with your parent or other trusted adult before downloading any content.

Helping Kids Manage Their Digital Footprint

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Everything I do reflects on me.

Anything I post is there forever. Information I post can easily be copied.

Things I post can quickly be sent to many.

You’re never sure who can see what you’re posting, clicking on, downloading.

It’s not clear if you’re just sharing with a few.

People behave differently when they can’t see you.

Source: 1. Trend Micro

2-6. danah boyd, Taken Out of Context, 2008 7. ConnectSafely.org

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Remember, the Internet Can Be a Wonderful Experience for Kids

• • The Internet and digital technology enable kids to learn and communicate in a variety of helpful and interesting ways.

Parents can help make digital technology a positive experience for kids by helping their child find positive ways to use technology and be online.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Positive Ways To Be Online

• • • • • Schoolwork (research, social educational sites, homework assignments) Emailing friends and family Blogging Sharing photos with friends and family Creating and sharing videos

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Your Part in Their Experience

Decide the basics Set the rules Teach them to be good digital citizens Model good digital/online behavior Let them try

Sources

ConnectSafely www.connectsafely.org/guides-2 A growing collection of short, clearly written, free dowloadable guidebooks that demystify apps, services, and platforms popular with kids and teens, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

AllSafeSites www.allsafesites.com

A child-safe Internet search engine.

Common Sense Media www.commonsensemedia.org

Provides reviews and ratings for websites and other media for children according to age-appropriateness.

Trend Micro www.trendmicro.com/internetsafety Lots of information on Internet safety for families from Trend Micro, the sponsor of this Internet Safety Night presentation.

Questions/Comments

Contact Information Parent Involvement Liaison Parent Involvement Liaison [email protected]