Thursday, August 25th, 2011

 

As you gear up for the back-to-school season, check out some of Common Sense Media’s favorite Homework Help apps for kids!  These mobile apps keep reference materials at kids’ fingertips and present topics in a visually appealing or interactive way.

Geo Walk HD – 3D World Fact Book (2011) 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents, Youth | No Comments »

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Dr. Dave Walsh is an award winning psychologist, best-selling author, media personality, father and grandfather. He and his daughter Erin have recently launched Mind Positive Parenting to translate brain science into everyday practice for parents.  Learn more at http://drdavewalsh.com/meet.  

Dr. Walsh and his daughter Erin offer the below perspective and tips on the issue of Sexting.  Read on to learn more!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Millions of American school children are, or soon will be, singing “no more pencils, no more books,” the theme song marking the official start of summer and the annual school break.  That usually means more time spent online.

Taking steps to help keep their kids safe online can be daunting for parents, so Verizon is providing help for reducing online threats by offering tips and links to resources.

“The first line of defense against online threats is quite naturally in the home,” said Wade Baker, a Verizon security expert and one of the authors of the company’s annual “Data Breach Investigations Report.”  “So many of the things we do online today — from using social media to keep in touch with school buddies to downloading movies and music – can carry some risks. Like sunscreen and staying hydrated, cyber safety is par

Tags: , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

In recognition of June’s Internet Safety Month, Verizon has teamed up with leading online safety experts to bring you a series of videos and blogs about cyberbullying. 

In this video, “Is your child being cyberbullied?,” experts highlight practical steps to take if you discover that your child is being cyberbullied or harassed.  If your child is being bullied, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what to do; watch the video below to find out more!

Here are some key take-aways:

Report the abuse to the website that it occurred on by using the “Report Abuse” button or by sending an email. Save and print evidence of the bullying. Be careful about cutting off your child’s access to technology.  You don’t want to make them feel like th

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

Check out Common Sense Media’s article and video below about kid’s digital lives.   Common Sense Media asserts that “Parents have lost control of the flow of information to our kids who see too much, too soon. “  What do you think?  Do kids see too much, too soon as a result of digital technology?

 

5 Essential Facts of Digital Life

Kids are the creators. It’s all about participating, communicating, making music, images, videos, and posting written content. And the content that’s there? Kids must be able to know if it’s credible or not. Everything happens in front of a vast, invisible, and often anonymous audience. Once something is out there, it doesn’t go

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents, Youth | No Comments »

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

by Susan Butta

With the holidays fast approaching I thought it might be time for a little brushing up on Internet safety tips. Often we tend to focus on youngsters to make sure their Internet experience is safe, but today I’d like to focus on older Americans as they get online perhaps for the first time.

Here is an excerpt from a booklet Verizon commissioned by Linda Criddle of the Safe Internet Alliance and Nancy C. Muir from iLookBothWays to help seniors have a safe, fun and productive time online.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

As a parent, it might often feel like you’re playing catch-up with your kids when it comes to technology.  Common Sense Media’s “Rules of the Road for Parents” makes the important point that smart, responsible online and wireless use begins at home.   Watch the video and read the article below to learn some simple steps that can help you make a difference in your child’s digital experience.

 

Just a few short years ago, there was no such thing as Facebook, cyberbulling, smart phones,

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Today’s guest blogger is Monica Vila, founder and Chief Technology Mom at TheOnlineMom.com. Monica is passionate about empowering families to make good decisions about the use of technology and is an advocate of parents embracing technology by understanding both its benefits and risks. Monica’s website, TheOnlineMom.com, provides parents with a wealth of information on how they can harness the power of technology while keeping their families safe in the digital age.   

How to Stay Safe on the Web

The Internet is a great resource for family entertainment and education. But barely a week goes by without hearing about a brand new virus that is attacking computers

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Thanks to the World Wide Web, parents and kids alike have vast amounts of information at their fingertips.  With this lightning-quick access to information, the ability to download and share everything from games to music to movies has become that much easier.  Some kids don’t even realize that they might be downloading or sharing copyrighted material illegally.  Check out Common Sense Media’s article below for tips on how to start the conversation with your kids about piracy and illegal downloading.

 

Many parents remember exchanging mix tapes or VHS copies of our favorite TV shows with our friends. But today’s technology makes it much easier to get and give away copyrighted material illegall

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents | No Comments »

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

 

Verizon had a strong presence at the Family Online Safety Institute’s 4th Annual Conference, “Internet Freedom, Safety & Citizenship: A Global Call to Action.”  This year’s conference included 400 participants, 90 speakers and 30 exhibitors! 

 

Aside from Verizon’s role as a co-sponsor of this extraordinary event, Verizon Wireless’ West Area President, Tami Erwin, delivered an inspiring keynote address, and Jack McArtney represented Verizon on the panel “Tech Talk: the latest tools to empower and protect.”  In his opening remarks, Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI, even mentioned that he uses Verizon Wireless Usage Controls on his daughter’s cell phone!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Educators, Parents, Youth | No Comments »