Cyber and Technology Safety

 

As your child enters middle school, they may either already have a cell phone, or they may be begging you for one because “all of their friends have one.”  Parents today have a lot to think about when it comes to allowing their child to utilize social media, as well as apps on smartphones, and the many other trends in technology.  Because our youth view technology as a necessary element to maintaining friendships and accessing information, it is difficult (if not impossible) to limit what they view, but as parents and educators, we should always be aware of to what and whom our children are exposed.  As you continue to raise a middle school child in a tech-happy world, here are some tips:  

• As you allow technology to be a part of your child’s life, consider putting in place a Parent-Child Technology Agreement.  This will allow your child to understand that as a parent, you are not invading their privacy; rather, you are trying to help them protect it. 
• Work to understand emoticons and net lingo.  Not sure what your kid is texting or even saying?  There are web pages on the internet that are easy to find and use, such as Netlingo.
• Be aware of the lengths that youth will go to to keep a conversation “private.”  Kids may program a friend in under a different name, so when you think it’s Lucy that left sixteen voicemails, it could actually be Johnny!  Also, be aware that many students text within apps, so if you look at their text messages, you may not see their complete conversations. 
• Feel like restricting them from everything?  That is a normal gut reaction.  While you may be able to keep the technology at bay for a few more years, there will come a time when your child will access what they want with or without your involvement.  Smart kids can be sneaky!  Technology is part of student culture and both colleges and employers want to see that youth are not only immersed in social media, but that they know how to use it properly.  

Visit ON GUARD ONLINE  or NETSMARTZ  or  InternetMatters  or ConnectSafely for more information, including tips on how to talk to your kids.

 

Q & A:

• Many sites include an instant message (IM) that allows private conversations between site members.
• Most social networking sites have an app version available, meaning your child will have access to the social network from their smartphone or tablet. Some app versions of social networks use the location of the phone.
• Information shared between friends can be easily copied and may spread.
• It isn’t easy to take back information that has been posted – and can be impossible if it’s already been shared.
• Not everyone your child meets online will be who they say they are. Chatrooms and forums can connect people who are complete strangers and can be unmoderated.
• Chatrooms and forums are some of the places online groomers go to connect with children. They can also be places where people use a lot of sexual language and engage in online flirting. This is sometimes done through video chat programs.