Long and involved online safety articles can be daunting and overwhelming for parents. Agreed? That’s why Verizon, Google and the Internet Education Foundation are pleased to announce the launch of “Net Safety Tips on the Go,” the first-ever digital safety and security app for Android! This easy-to-use mobile app will bring you current, up-to-date safety information in small digestible bites. You set the frequency for receiving new tips. One a day? One a week? Whenever you choose. Your status bar will notify you when they’ve arrived. These tips will help you better manage your online experiences and improve your privacy, security and safety when it comes to technology!
Tags: android market, Internet Safety, Mobile App, Net Safety App, V CAST Apps
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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: Online Safety, Parents, Summer
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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, “When does “rude” cross the line, online?” experts highlight some of the legal aspects of cyber bullying, and potential ramifications when behavior online goes too far. Watch the video below to learn more!
Here are some key take-aways:
• Willful and repeated harm or a one-time violent threat constitutes cyber bullying. • The consequences of posting or forwarding nude or semi-nude photos may include a child pornography charge. • Police suggest the best course of action if a child receives one of these photos is to delete it immediately and tell an adult. • Adults need to set
Tags: Advice, cyberbullying, Internet Safety, Legal, Parents
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Summer vacation means more time for the youngest customers who use Verizon Wireless phones to send and receive messages, download and use apps and games, surf the Web, and make calls on their cell phones. But, with a few tools from Verizon Wireless, summertime doesn’t have to mean unexpected high wireless bills.
Check out this new video to learn how you can use Usage Controls to easily monitor wireless usage – voice, messaging, and data – for each line on your account.
Through Usage Controls, account owners can help manage wireless usage with various settings and tools, including:
Usage Allowances: Customers can set limits for voice minutes and messages that can be used during a billing cycle. Verizon Wireless will send free text messagTags: Advice, Blocked Numbers, Managing Wireless Usage, My Verizon, Parents, Time Restrictions, Usage Allowances, Usage Controls
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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 thTags: Advice, cyberbullying, Parents, Teens
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Given advances in wireless technology, parents now have access to many exciting tools, such as Verizon’s Family Locator service, that can help them keep tabs on their child’s wireless device as they head home from school or to a friend’s house. There are also many positive examples of location-based technologies aiding in the rescue of kidnapping victims or lost drivers.
Location information is often obtained using the GPS capabilities now included in most cell phones. This location information can be used by applications (apps) and services on a cell phone such as Verizon’s Family Locator, social networking apps like Foursquare or Facebook Places, and navigation programs such as VZ Navigator and Google Maps. Customers are usually required to sign up for or purchase these apps and services.
If you want to prevent apps and services from using GPS to determine your cell phone’s location, you can typicall
Tags: Advice, GPS, Location-based services, settings
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When Verizon Wireless spoke to teens in early 2011, we heard a lot about the “online drama” and digital harassment that has become a part of their daily lives. Parents can learn more about how to help their child cope with these scenarios by reading Common Sense Media’s article below.
Tags: A Thin Line, Advice, Dating, Digital Harassment, Parents, Passwords, sexting, Teenagers, That's Not Cool
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If your kids and teenagers are playing video games online, it’s important for you to educate yourself about some of the potential risks of online gaming, as well as the tools that exist to help you manage your child’s online gaming experience. Check out the guest blog below from Patricia Vance, President of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a nonprofit organization that assigns age and content ratings for computer and video games.
Tags: ESRB, MMOs, Playstation, Ratings, UGC, Video Games, Wii, Xbox
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Facebook: teenagers love it. While it’s a great place for teens to socialize with friends, stay connected with each other, and explore their identity, it’s crucial that parents and teens alike educate themselves about the benefits and potential risks of Facebook.
To help parents do just that, ConnectSafely.org and the iKeepSafe Coalition
Tags: Advice, Facebook, Parents, Privacy Settings, Teens
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Cell phones can provide peace of mind by keeping parents and kids in touch, but it’s important for parents to help kids use this technology responsibly. The rules may change depending on the age of your child and the type of cell phone you decide to get them. Check out Common Sense Media’s article and video below to learn more about parenting when it comes to cell phones, and please share a comment below about your “cell phone parenting” experiences!
Cell phones are kids’ must-have accessory
Cell phones are the #1 form of communication for teens (Pew, 2010). More kids have cell phones than ever before, including 31% of 8- to 10-year olds, 69% of 11- to 14Tags: Apps, cell phones, Cheating in Class, cyberbullying, Elementary Kids, Facebook, Middle School, Parenting Advice, Set Limits, sexting, Teens, Texting
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