What’s New? – Page 5 – Siouxland Modern Media Committee

03Feb 2021 by nrcmmc

Review of VSCO App

Apps, Reviews

In the current times, various social media apps such as TikTok and VSCO are gaining traction, particularly with teenagers. VSCO was created in 2012 but recently gained popularity when Instagram users with a lot of followers began using the #VSCO hashtag. VSCO is a photo editing and media sharing tool. The free version gives users access to standard editing tools, such as white balance, exposure, contrast and a sampling of the available presets. Users can scroll and test out presets themselves or can tap on the “for this photo” feature, which displays a collection of suggested presets for each specific photograph. The free version also allows users to explore others’ photos and find inspiration in curated portfolios that include collections such as “humankind,” “editorial,” “summer,” and “style” to name…

04Jan 2021 by nrcmmc

2020 Digital Device Gift Guide

Cell Phones, Filters, Guidelines, Hazards, Privacy, Resources

Hello, Parents! Once again, the Protect Young Eyes team wants to prepare you and your children by providing parental control guidance for whatever digital devices your family may have. In the year of COVID, digital devices are everywhere and we suspect that many new ones will be joining the family in December. Remember, if it’s connected to the internet, then there’s a story of how someone somewhere has hacked into it or out of it. Especially during 2020 with more kids connected to screens than ever before. Check it out at https://protectyoungeyes.com/digital-device-gift-guide-2020-smartphones-gaming-gadgets/?mc_cid=dd022bd5da&mc_eid=09748b43c6 *Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.

04Jan 2021 by nrcmmc

App Locker

Apps, Cell Phones, Privacy, Resources

App Locker Another new term in modern media use--app locker. You might be wondering, “What is an app locker?” It is as it sounds; basically, it is an app that can safeguard existing downloaded apps on your device, by ‘locking’ them. App lockers help prevent children, or other parties, from delving into personal information. The ability to “lock” only certain apps using a pattern code or PIN code known to the user, is what makes this feature beneficial to smartphone users. When and who should you have an app locker installed on their smartphone or device? People who have kids. This is especially true if your kids use your phone for various activities like watching YouTube or playing kids games. Set up the applock correctly and you can keep your…

08Dec 2020 by nrcmmc

Modern Media Book Recommendations

Guidelines, Hazards, Pornography, Resources

To read to your children: Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young KidsGood Pictures Bad Pictures is a comfortable, read-aloud story about a mom and dad who teach their child what pornography is, why it's dangerous, and how to reject it. Using easy-to-understand science and simple analogies, this ground-breaking book engages young kids to porn-proof their own brains.The 5-point CAN DO Plan teaches kids how to avoid the brain-warping images of pornography and minimize the troubling memories of accidental exposure that often tempt kids to look for more and lead them into a dark and destructive addiction. To stay safe in the digital age, kids must install an internal filter in their own brain. Good Pictures Bad Pictures shows them how.https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Porn-Proofing-Todays-dp-0997318732/dp/0997318732/ref=dp_ob_title_bkThe above book is age-appropriate for ages 6-8 and older. …

09Nov 2020 by nrcmmc

Cyberbullying Surpasses Bullying

Hazards

Cyberbullying Surpasses Bullying as Most Common Type of Harassment For much of the 2020 school year, most children in America were schooled from their homes. During this time, one would think that bullying (which typically happens at school, on the school yard, or on the school busses) would have decreased. Unfortunately, 2020 was the first year that cyberbullying surpassed all other methods and became the most common type of harassment. Teens don’t have to physically be at school - they can just use their smartphones to continue to harass their peers. A recent article posted by Very Well Family explains the facts. https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-common-is-cyberbullying-4570942 Cyberbullying isn’t new. October 10, 2020 marked 8 years since Amanda Todd, a Canadian teenager, took her own life after suffering both bullying and cyberbullying for a…

08Oct 2020 by nrcmmc

Webinars by Protect Young Eyes

Apps, Cell Phones, Guidelines, Hazards, Pornography, Privacy, Resources

Do you find yourself wondering about all the apps and platforms your teens are using, but not sure where to find solid, trusted information about them? Check out the Protect Young Eyes Webinar list at https://protectyoungeyes.com/the-tech-ready-parent-webinars/ 30 MINUTE WEBINARS – PRACTICAL & ACTIONABLE – 3 EVERY WEEK – FREE Upcoming Webinars include: Girls Watch Porn Too Snapchat 101 Rein in YouTube Instagram 101 Many more options on the PYE website *Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.

05Oct 2020 by nrcmmc

Gabb Phone

Cell Phones, Guidelines

What is Gabb wireless? Another new device? Yes, it is a device, but considered a “safe” 1st cell phone. Gabb wireless is a company that features a modern looking cell phone for children--or adults--without all the bells and whistles and cost. If you are looking for a device to communicate without having the hassle of a smartphone and the potential dangerous features, this may be an option to consider.Gabb wireless was created for children to have a modern looking cell phone WITHOUT access to the internet, social media, or an app store. As shown in prior articles, the internet & social media can be an unhealthy platform for teens. Gabb phones feature only 14 essential apps on the phone: music, phone, messaging, contacts, camera, video, gallery, calendar, calculator, clock, voice recorder,…

05Oct 2020 by nrcmmc

The Art of Influence

Guidelines, Hazards, Privacy

60% OFF E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!! SUPER SALE STARTS TODAY! A MUST HAVE THIS SEASON! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?! Do these look like headlines you’ve seen in your inbox or on signs on your way through town? Slogans, sayings, and eye-catching headlines are everywhere, vying for our attention. Each statement intrigues our mind and influences the way we think and act based upon the response it triggers inside our brain when we see it. A few years ago, Cambridge Analytica was in trouble with social media users and popular social media sites over how the users' information was being marketed to companies. Cambridge Analytica wanted to have influence over the outcome of certain events (such as elections) in order to sway the direction of power in certain countries. The way this company…

05Oct 2020 by nrcmmc

Sexual Abuse after Viewing Porn

Hazards, Pornography

The rate of children sexually abusing other children has sharply increased over the past few years and can be attributed to our society’s consumption of pornography. We desperately need to deal with the pornography plague in our families, churches, schools, and communities. “I have said this before, and I will say it again: If we as a culture do not address the pornography problem, it will destroy us. The violent sexual ideology it is teaching to an entire generation is transforming the way millions of people see sex, relationships, and even each other. Pornography is ruining marriages, ruining families, and ruining lives. It is long past time that we woke up and realized that we simply have no choice: We must deal with this, because it is everywhere.” Jonathon van…

08Sep 2020 by nrcmmc

Artificial Intelligience

Hazards, Privacy

If you've ever said "Hey Google (or Siri or Alexa)", and gotten a response, you've used Artificial Intelligence, or AI. Were you even aware of it?AI has been around for many years. It’s been at the center of science fiction stories, and theorized about by researchers for decades. But the computing power of the past few decades and the prevalence of the Internet has allowed many AI advancements that are now part of our everyday lives.Besides the Personal Assistants already mentioned, some other products that use AI include Pandora’s music service, Nest learning thermostat and other Smart Home technologies, automatic flying drones, self-driving cars, and emails that auto-fill as you type. (learn more)AI can also help doctors diagnose diseases, by combining information from other doctors around the world and making…