06Apr 2020 by nrcmmc
Socializing Online

Socializing Online

Apps, Hazards
Chatting with a few friends on Messenger or What’s App isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right?  Look at that question from another perspective: Meeting with other friends at one of their homes for a few hours to talk isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right? Does one of those questions strike a chord with you more than the other? That could depend on your age. It could depend on what generation you were born in. It could also depend on how you were raised and what you learned as you grew up. As the generation of adults who grew up without the internet ages, the generation of children who grow up knowing nothing but a screen in the face ages as well. We see it…
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06Jan 2020 by nrcmmc
Benefits and Dangers of Facebook

Benefits and Dangers of Facebook

Apps, Reviews
Facebook is the biggest social network in the world.  It has been about 15 years since Facebook came into existence. Its popularity has skyrocketed in the decade after its launch, although the network's growth has flatlined in the last few years. Here are a few statistics published in 2019 by the Pew Research Center that give some indication of the huge impact Facebook has had on the world. View the article.
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06Jan 2020 by nrcmmc
WhatsApp Safety

WhatsApp Safety

Apps, Reviews
WhatsApp safety: a how to guide for parents - Internet Matters WhatsApp is a common app used for communicating on smartphones.  Does this mean it is as safe as phone conversations? What do you need to know about the ins and outs of this app? What are some pros and cons? The link below delineates some common matters.  https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/whatsapp-safety-a-how-to-guide-for-parents/
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09Dec 2019 by nrcmmc
Instagram: The Rinsta’s and the Finsta’s

Instagram: The Rinsta’s and the Finsta’s

Apps, Reviews
The Rinsta’s and the Finsta’s   As harmless as the app called ‘Instagram’ seems on the surface - a photo and video editing platform - many dark areas loom around any corner. When not set up with proper privacy settings, the user needs to be extra vigilant to protect their eyes from the content that can pop up within a few clicks or swipes.  Despite the creator’s efforts to keep inappropriate content out of it’s app, and safe for “13+” to use, images inappropriate for any age of eyes can still be found. Users are allowed to ‘Block’, ‘Report’, and ‘Unfollow’ accounts that they are not interested in or believe are not appropriate. In its simplest form the app is not harmful, though the psychological effects of any social media…
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09Dec 2019 by nrcmmc
Bark App

Bark App

Apps, Reviews
Billed as the “Smart Way to Keep Kids Safe Online”, Bark is a highly-rated, award-winning monitoring tool. A few of us Siouxland MMC Members have been trying it out, and would like to share our experiences with our audience. “Bark” is designed to be like a watchdog.  It may not stop an intruder, but it’ll bark loudly to alert others about a problem, so that problem can be dealt with. Here’s what Bark is NOT. NOT a filter.  Bark does not restrict any content that a device can access. NOT a time-restriction app.  You cannot set up time limits or off-hours for your child’s device. Since Bark does not prevent a child from accessing impure content on the Internet, we cannot recommend it as the only tool you should use…
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