Watch the video below from Verizon Wireless entitled “How To: Manage Usage with Usage Controls from Verizon Wireless.”  The video explains how customers can harness the power of Usage Controls to help monitor and manage their wireless lives.

Easy to set up and manage in My Verizon, Usage Controls help customers keep a tight rein on their accounts’ usage with:

• Usage Allowances – Families or individuals can control wireless budgets with monthly usage allowances on each controlled line for voice minutes, messaging, data and content purchases such as ringtones, games and downloads. They’ll receive free text message alerts when limits are nearing and when they are reached. Once the allowance is reached, there is also an option to restrict usage.

• Time Restrictions – Parents can set times of the day or days of the week – such as school hours or late at night – to prevent family members from calling, messaging or accessing data. Trusted contacts can always communicate.

• Blocked Contacts – Customers can block communications with unwanted contacts.

• Trusted Contacts – Customers can always allow communications with trusted contacts, even with Usage Controls restrictions. Calls to 9-1-1 are always trusted.

• 911 Notification – Account owners receive an automatic text message when a line on their account assigned to Usage Controls makes an emergency 9-1-1 call.

In addition to Usage Controls, Verizon Wireless offers several tools and services to help families stay in control of their wireless experience, including age-appropriate Content Filters and Service Blocks, which are available without charge. Parents can learn more at www.verizonwireless.com/usagecontrols.

There are other videos explaining tools Verizon Wireless customers can use to manage their wireless lives, including:

• “It’s Easy To Track Your Wireless Usage,” which highlights easy ways for customers to check and monitor usage.
• “How to set Content Filters,” which showcases Content Filters that allow customers to make sure wireless content is age-appropriate.

Click here to read Dr. Michael Rich’s last minute tips for media and non-media holiday shopping.

Dr. Michael Rich, Mediatrician, and Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Childrens’ Hospital Boston, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor of Society, Human Development and Health at Harvard School of Public Health, came to medicine after a 12 year career as a filmaker.  As a former Hollywood filmmaker, he is a lover of media.  But as a pediatrician, he has seen that media have both positive and negative effects on children’s health. Dr. Rich studies media as a force that powerfully affects child health and uses it as a tool for medical research, education and healthcare policy.  An independent researcher, he is sharing CMCH resources with Verizon to keep kids healthy in the Media Age.

Ask the Mediatrician is a service of the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH) at Childrens’ Hospital Boston.  CMCH is dedicated to understanding and responding to the effects of media (TV, movies, videogames and cell phones and internet) – on the physical, mental and social health of children.

 

Check out Common Sense Media’s video and article below about managing this year’s top tech toys.  Once all those high-tech gifts have been opened this year, consider taking the time to educate yourself about the parental controls available for specific devices.  Verizon parental control tools include free Verizon Wireless Content Filters, free parental control features for FiOS TV services, as well as family protection features within the Verizon Internet Security Suite.  

How to Manage This Year’s Top Tech Toys

The holidays are traditionally the time for the big gifts that kids have been begging for all year. Stores and online retailers are gearing up for the rush with high-ticket electronics like e-readers, tablet computers, fancy phones, handheld game consoles, and even tricked-out learning tools for preschoolers.

This year’s crop of devices promises exciting stuff — like the ability to pack all of your kids’ books into one tiny digital device or practice math drills en route to Grandma’s house. But if you don’t read all of the fine print (and, let’s face it, who does?), these new products’ high-tech bells and whistles may catch you off guard.

Often, it’s not until your kids start taking advantage of the fancy features that you realize what the devices can do. That new tablet computer your daughter uses for book reports also lets her video chat with friends at midnight. The smartphone your son uses to text you for a ride also “helped” him rack up $60 in charges playing a certain app with in-game purchases. And many high-tech devices require consistent care and feeding by way of expensive software upgrades that really add up over time.

The manual that comes with the device may cover the basics, but when it comes to managing how your kids use them, that’s up to you. To help you figure it out, we’ve highlighted the top parental concerns for each of this holiday’s most popular electronics for kids.

E-readers

WiFi, music, games, apps, social networking, and even ads are showing up on e-readers like the Nook Color and Kindle.
What to watch out for: Multimedia, Web access, price of books, ads
Multimedia: E-readers’ ability to play music, download apps, and read to your kid seemscool, but if your kids are opting for the entertainment rather than hitting the books, you may begin to feel that too much of a good thing defeats the purpose.
Web access: Some e-readers connect to the Web, play YouTube videos, do email, and even offer social networking.
Price of books: E-books may be cheaper than regular books, but because you can download books (and apps) whenever you want, costs can add up.
Ads: Some Kindle models run screensaver ads, so kids will see them when they power on.
What to do:
• Create rules for reading times (many schools require a certain amount of minutes per night), and set aside different times for just plain fun.
• If you can, turn off the extras until you know your kid can use them responsibly. (The Nook Color, for example, lets you block the Web browser.)
• Keep an eye on your kid’s activities, and discuss responsible use. Or seek out e-readers designed just for kids or students that limit some of the Web options.
• Find out whether your local public library offers e-books. Also, consider setting a monthly spending limit, and look into online e-book lending libraries. And about those ads: Talk to your kids about how companies use target marketing to captive audiences.
• Look for books together: The beauty of online purchasing is that you can sort, search, and preview just about any book on any interest. Shop with your kids (and make sure they don’t have access to your credit card).

Tablets

Their ease of use, range of apps, and connectivity features make tablets like the iPad 2, Kindle Fire, and Samsung Galaxy Tab great as a combination family computer and entertainment hub.
What to watch out for: Video chatting, app purchases, and screen time
Video chatting: Camera-equipped tablets allow for video chatting, which is fine when it’s the grandparents — but less fine when it’s midnight and your kid is talking with who knows who.
App purchases: Kids can rack up fees both by downloading apps and buying items as part of their games (called in-app purchases).
Time-limits: Because tablets are so easy and fun to use, kids may have a hard time stopping once they get started. And kids can easily lose track of time (and stumble onto age-inappropriate sites) with a tablet’s easy Web access.
What to do:
• Find games and apps that have real value. There are thousands of apps and games that are fun to play and also help reinforce what your child is learning in school.
• Establish rules for safe and sensible video chatting, and use the device’s parental controls (or download a parental control app) to restrict access to specific features until you know your kid can use them responsibly.
• Most devices allow you to password protect access to the device’s app store and can also prevent in-app purchases. Definitely make sure you talk to your kids about not buying things without your permission.

Enforce time limits and discuss the importance of staying on age-appropriate, parent-approved Web sites. Make sure you’re setting a good example by enforcing time limits on your own usage, too!

Smartphones

Smartphones — the ones kids really want — offer far more than the ability to text. Smartphones have cameras, video, games, location services, Internet access, and social networking.
What to watch out for: Round-the-clock socializing, download fees, social networking
Constant connection: Kids’ ability to be constantly connected to their friends via their phones can drain their time — and distract them — from their responsibilities. It’s hard for parents to know what’s going on in their kids’ lives when kids are always using the phone.
Download fees: Music, games, apps, movies, TV shows, and in-app purchases are all available through the phone without ever seeing actual money change hands.
Location services: Nearly all phones come with GPS, which can be used for safety reasons but can also be used to tell other people where to meet you using apps like Foursquare. GPS can also tag photos with their location, which follows the photo when it’s posted — unless you turn it off.
What to do:
• Set rules for when kids need to be off their phones (during dinner and homework, for example) and when it’s OK to use them.
• Many smartphones allow you to restrict access to app stores as well as set content filters so kids can’t download age-inappropriate movies and games. Consider giving your kid a pre-paid card to set up an online account.
• Unless you use GPS for safety, turn it off, and have a serious conversation about how location services can compromise your kid’s safety.

Handheld game consoles

Game gadgets like Nintendo’s DS and Sony’s PSP have morphed into full-fledged entertainment devices with rich graphics for games and movies, multiplayer options, Internet access, and social features.
What to watch out for: Age-inappropriate content, online interaction, price of games
Content: Just because the screen is smaller doesn’t mean that game violence doesn’t impact kids. In fact, screen quality — including 3D — makes games even more immersive. Kids can also download a huge range of movies and TV shows for their handhelds.
Online interaction: Multiplayer gaming, chatting, social networking — these features are all built into handhelds, and you probably won’t know who your kid is interacting with.
Price of games: The cost of games is probably one of the biggest shocks to parents of new handheld owners. They can set you back as much as $30 apiece.
What to do:
• Check out the device’s parental controls and other settings that let you restrict the kind of content that can be downloaded. Help your kid choose quality, age-appropriate games and entertainment.
• Establish rules around online communication — when, where, who — and check in with your kid periodically to see who he or she is interacting with.
• Consider renting games through an online service like Gamefly. And be aware that game companies offer automatic, free downloads for some games. Many handhelds also let you wirelessly share content and games for free — a perk that somewhat offsets the cost of the games.

Learning tablets

Handheld devices like the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet, the VTech InnoTab Tablet, and the Vinci Touchscreen Mobile Learning Tablet offer younger kids learning and creative activities — many of which are taught by familiar Hollywood characters.
What to watch out for: Screen time, price of software, commercialized characters whose function is marketing, not education
Screen time: Reading, writing, phonics, counting — all are appropriate pursuits for preschoolers. But every minute spent in front of a screen is a minute not spent doing other activities that are also very important for young kids, like running, playing with others, and interacting with the adults in their lives.
Price of software: At upwards of $25 a pop, the programs that run on these devices aren’t cheap. And they’re proprietary — meaning they’ll only run on one device.
Branded characters: Kids gravitate toward characters they know and love, whether it’s a Disney princess or Thomas the Tank Engine. Make sure that there’s real educational value — and not a consumer come-on — inside the program.
What to do:
• Use in moderation. Set age-appropriate screen limits — and remember to count total screen time (TV, computer, handheld) and balance your kids’ days so they get lots of different experiences to help them grow and develop.
• Consider sharing programs with friends and family, look for discounted items, and choose age-appropriate, quality software very carefully.
• Look for programs that use unique characters who aren’t used to market other products.

This year, we want to be sure you’re prepared all season long to make smart and safe decisions while using your PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet to find the best holiday bargains.  Make your mantra this season “Prepare, Prevent, Protect” to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

• Prepare
  • Read this post (you’re already off to a good start!)
  • Share this information with kids and older family members who may be doing online shopping too
• Prevent
  • Make sure you have the maximum level possible for your wireless router.  The recommendation is WPA or WPA2.
  • Make sure the shopping site you’re visiting has as secured checkout page.  If you don’t feel confident the site is secure, then consider using a different site.   
  • Remember free wireless hotspots are not always safe and secure.  Refrain from shopping online or sending confidential information online while using a free wireless hotspot.
  • Use a credit card instead of a debit card when making purchases online.  Credit card companies will likely not hold you responsible for purchases resulting from theft of your card information, whereas a cyber crook can clean out your bank account quickly with debit card information
  • Be wary of opening emails with attachments that come from unknown sources or that contain suspicious looking links.  They can contain viruses, spyware, worms, etc.
  • Be suspicious of coupon deals on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.  If they appear too good to be true, they probably are.
  • Make sure you have strong password protection for your online accounts, whether it’s your banking site or your email account.  Update them regularly.
• Protect
  • If you don’t already have one, get rock-solid Internet security software, such as Verizon’s Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee, which provides frequent software updates.  It also includes a site advisor tool that provides risk ratings for websites, as well as identity protection that helps you shop, bank and trade online safely

In addition to the common-sense suggestions offered here, I’d encourage folks to visit the website of Verizon online security partner McAfee to get their rundown on the “Twelve Scams of Christmas.”  McAfee’s annual tip sheets offer sound advice for cyber shoppers regardless what time of the year you jump online for a bargain.  The National Cyber Security Alliance also offers mobile shopping tips and online shopping tips.

These steps for protecting yourself can provide a measure of precaution that make the holidays more enjoyable and rewarding.  So, go online and purchase that new PC or set of golf clubs and enjoy the gift of being closer to family and friends. 

How do you safeguard yourself during the holidays?  Do you have additional questions that we haven’t answered?  We encourage you to leave comments here, and we’ll be sure to follow-up. 

Our guest blogger is Jack McArtney, Verizon’s Director of Corporate and Community Responsibility.  Jack has played a key role in the introduction of Verizon Safeguards and numerous parental control products and services for Verizon customers. He oversees consumer policies and industry guidelines for wireless and online safety as well as content and advertising standards

Getting your family back on a school-year routine after a summer of staying up late, playing on the computer, and watching TV all day isn’t easy.

If you loosened your screen-time rules this summer, you’re in good company. According to a Harris Interactive poll, about half of all parents say their kids watch more TV, play more video games, surf the Web more, and watch more movies during the summer months.

But since a good night’s sleep and limited media are key contributors to school achievement, somebody has to get kids back on track. These five strategies can help you get a jump on things:

Have a last blast. Plan one final session of media indulgence. Have a family movie night, a video game day, an iTunes party — something that says “so long, summer.” A media send-off gets everyone ready for the restrictions to come.

Prepare your kids. A week before school starts, start enforcing bedtime, and turn off the TV, games, and electronic devices at least an hour before hitting the sack. Kids and teens need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep to perform well in school — and the stimulation of media makes it hard for them to settle down.

Raid the library. Go for the books, but also find out whether your local branch offers programs for kids — like puppet shows, reading hours, or other activities. It’s like a little baby step to school.

Create a school-year media plan.  Take out a calendar, and work with your kids to create a weekly schedule that includes homework, chores, and activities — plus TV, games, movies, etc. Kids don’t always understand the concept of “Thursday,” but if they see their activities written down, they know what to expect and when to expect it.

Remember you’re their role model. Sneak your BlackBerry under the table, and your kids will catch you. They learn from what you do more than from what you say, so make sure that you’re demonstrating balance with your media habits, too.

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) 
Brilliantly designed app about Earth’s people, places and more.

Available for iPad.

Audubon Birds—A Field Guide to North American Birds 

Invaluable reference tool for North American Bird Watchers.

Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

Britannica Kids: Rainforests 

Interactive Tool with games, videos and lots of learning.

Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

Google Earth 

Kids tour the world with the swipe of a finger.

Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

Star Walk: 5 Star Astronomy Guide 

In-depth, detailed, and beautiful astronomy app.

Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

World Atlas HD 

Fab tool provides the world at your fingertips.

Available for iPad.

Ultimate Dinopedia: The Most Complete Dinosaur Reference Ever 

Realistic art in dino-lover’s dream database.

Available for iPad.

US Geography by Discovery Education 

Learn about terrain, culture, climate, and so much more.

Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

Solar System for iPad 

Well-written interactive book with lots of multimedia.

Available for iPad.

Shakespeare in Bits: Macbeth 

An extraordinary study aide for mature-themed play.

Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.

 
Will setting parental controls solve all of your family’s Internet safety challenges? Of course not.  But parental controls are an essential component of your 21st century parenting toolkit.


There is no silver bullet or techno fix guaranteeing that your child will be an upstanding digital citizen. Your involvement, supervision, limits, and nurturing will have the greatest influence over your child’s online behavior. That said, technology can help!  Here are some tips for setting parental controls effectively:

• Start with a conversation. Discuss expectations about safe, responsible Internet behavior. Parental controls help verify that everyone in the family has good netiquette – only you can teach them these skills.

• Tell them first, then install. The goal is to encourage responsible behavior. Tell your kids that you will be setting parental controls on their phones and computers before you set them up.

• Explain why. Tell your kids why you are setting parental controls but make it clear that it is not up for negotiation.

• Assure your kids that you have their best interest at heart. Explain to your kids that you will not be reading every line of every text or post. You will merely be scanning things periodically or reading summary reports to verify that all is well.

• Follow through. Hold up your end of the agreement – don’t read every line of your child’s texts and posts! Parental control should build trust between you and your child, not erode it.

• Establish limits and consequences. Make sure that you have rules and consequences for online behavior and follow through consistently.

• Use Internet incidents as an opportunity to communicate. Make sure that Internet or wireless incidents aren’t just a platform for endless lectures or meaningless punishments. If your child is using the search term “sex” it could be that they genuinely want information about sex and sexuality. Use this as an opportunity to communicate!

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.

In this video, “Understanding and Preventing Cyber bullying: The Family Approach,” experts discuss how important it is to be proactive and start the conversation early with kids when it comes to online etiquette and cyber bullying. Many experts recommend starting this family conversation before kids reach middle school. Also remember that children often learn behavior from parents, so it’s important not to model bullying or negative behavior. Watch the video below to learn more!

Here are some key messages to address when starting this online safety conversation with younger kids:

• Words have consequences, whether they are said face-to-face or communicated online.  Choose your words carefully.
• Take private or heated conversations offline, as you may feel less inhibited when communicating via electronics.  
• Treat others the way you want to be treated: don’t send hurtful text messages or emails, and don’t forward inappropriate pictures or message to others.

To learn more about the experts featured here:

Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center

Parry Aftab, Esq, WiredSafety.org

Dr. Ben Leichtling, Bullies Be Gone

Officer John Dockswell, Nassau County Police Department

Director: Charles Hobson, Producer: Ana Maria Arumi, Executive Producer: Elizabeth Clinard, Cinematographer: Axel Bauman, Sound: John McNamara, Production Coordinator: Caroline Enos, Writer: Ana Maria Arumi, Editors Stefanie Dworkin, Composer: Zach Redler, Vanguard Documentaries

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

Teenage Sexting: How to Respond?

“With sexting incidents all over the news, how should I talk to my kids about it?”

-Susan, Washington

Susan, Great question. With politicians and teens alike making headline news for inappropriate and crude texting, the word “sexting” is fast becoming a critical part of the 21st century parenting lexicon. Sexting is exactly what it sounds like, sending or posting nude or sexually explicit messages or images. But like any hot issue making a big splash in the news, is sexting really happening and is it really a big deal?

Let’s look to the research. According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy:

• 20% of all teens have sent or posted nude or semi-nude images of themselves.
• 40% of all teens have sent or posted sexually explicit messages.
• Nearly 40% of teens have had sexually explicit messages originally meant for someone else shared with them.
• 24% of teens say pressure from friends is the reason they post incidents of sexting,
• 51% percent of girls say they sext because of pressure from boys.

In many ways, we shouldn’t be surprised by these statistics. Our understanding of and response to teenage sexting should not be driven by fears of “teens gone wild,” but our evolving understanding of adolescent development in the digital age.

Young people are growing up in a world where they are negotiating many issues – from identity to make-ups and break-ups – online. When we look at statistics from Pew Internet, it is clear that cell phones are the new epicenters of young people’s social and emotional lives

•  75% of teens own cell phones and texting has become their preferred way to communicate. 
• Boys typically send and receive 30 texts a day.
• Girls typically send and receive 80 messages per day. 

Young people’s brains are also wired to be thinking about sex and sexuality – this is a normal part of their development. Yet few are having good conversations with parents or other caring adults about sex, sexual decision-making, and health and high schools lack comprehensive sex education. In lieu of these important resources, too many turn to the Internet, Hollywood, or their peers for guidance on sexual relationships. Finally, teen brains are still undergoing development. While their brains are “under construction” many young people struggle with impulse control, the ability to weigh consequences, and erratic shifts in mood.

Once we connect all of these dots it is not surprising that teens are engaging in sexting. ‘Sexting’ is the 21st century digital manifestation of impulsive adolescent sexual exploration.

Just because teenage sexting is understandable though does not make it any less concerning. The aftermath of sexting can be devastating. I spoke with a young woman last week whose “sext,” originally intended for her boyfriend’s eyes only, made its way onto a public Web site for the whole world to see. Before she knew it, an image of her body was the center of a high profile police investigation on the possession and distribution of child pornography. In some states, sexting is considered a felony while in others it is a misdemeanor. In any state, sexting can have life altering consequences legally and emotionally.

Now that we’ve connected some of the dots, what does this mean for us as parents? While it may be tempting to simply throw out our kids’ cell phones, this strategy alone isn’t much help. Yes – let’s address the tech side of this issue by monitoring young people’s media use and setting clear limits and consequences about online and cell phone behavior. But let’s couple this with important conversations we need to have with our kids about sex, relationships, respect, and sexual health.

In this video, “Why Kids Cyberbully: Recognizing Differences,” experts discuss some of the differences between girls and boys when it comes to cyberbullying, as well as steps to take if you discover that your child acting as the bully.

Here are some key take-aways:

• Girls often cyber bully or get into conflicts with those who are among their closest friends, whereas boys often bully those who are not in their friend circle.
• If you discover that your child is the bully:
  • Cut off their ability to abuse others so that it doesn’t continue
  • Attend to what your child needs to get past abusive behavior
  • Check in with the school about your child’s behavior
  • Get outside help from a pediatrician if your child needs a referral for help

To learn more about the experts featured here:

Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center

Parry Aftab, Esq, WiredSafety.org

Dr. Ben Leichtling, Bullies Be Gone

Officer John Dockswell, Nassau County Police Department

Director: Charles Hobson, Producer: Ana Maria Arumi, Executive Producer: Elizabeth Clinard, Cinematographer: Axel Bauman, Sound: John McNamara, Production Coordinator: Caroline Enos, Writer: Ana Maria Arumi, Editors Stefanie Dworkin, Composer: Zach Redler, Vanguard Documentaries