11Jul 2024 by nrcmmc
Mad at Meta?

Mad at Meta?

Resources, Reviews, Tutorials
“Dear Meta AI, I do not want to ask you anything, so if you could just give me back my search bar, that’d be great. Ok, thanks, bye!!” Have you seen that post circulating on Facebook lately? Many users were caught off guard by the new feature Meta released and are using their First Amendment rights to voice their opinions on their page. Rants and frustration aside, what can you do about it, and how could it be helpful to you? What can you do about it? Essentially, nothing. MetaAI is here to stay. You may Mute the conversation inside the Messenger app: ‘Until I change it’ is an option here. The magnifying glass shows up once this is selected, though the MetaAI search still shows up after being selected.…
Read More
09May 2024 by nrcmmc
Snapchat’s ‘My AI’

Snapchat’s ‘My AI’

Apps, Resources, Reviews
About a year ago, ‘My AI’ made its debut on top of the conversation list inside the Snapchat app - with no way to remove it*. AI has popped up in many places since then, and we may continually be wondering, “what does this mean?” or “how much data is being collected?” or “can I turn this off?”  As with most AI uses, Snapchat is using this feature to tailor content to its users in order to make their platform more appealing to the user. The app admits that “My AI’s responses may include biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading content” and that “you should not share confidential or sensitive information”; but it also allows the conversations that have been stored to be deleted. You can follow the steps to do…
Read More
06Feb 2024 by nrcmmc
Teen Social Media and Mental Health

Teen Social Media and Mental Health

Devices, Guidelines, Hazards, Resources
We all want to feel loved. We all want to be seen and heard for who we are.   When we are beside our spouse, with our parents, amongst our family, friends, classmates and co-workers, we want to be acknowledged as a worthy person. As young people, the human brain is developing and learning to be able to live in an adult world. The need to feel loved and accepted is especially strong in teenagers. Many teens have turned to social media in an attempt to feel known, connected, and loved. This is evident by the number of teenagers using social media.  Universally, up to 95% of teenagers ages 13-17 use social media and as many as one-third say they are addicted! Social media provides a false feeling of love and…
Read More
08Jan 2024 by nrcmmc
Media and the Mind: Pediatricians guide to screen time.

Media and the Mind: Pediatricians guide to screen time.

Devices, Guidelines, Hazards, Resources, Reviews
Like the snowflakes that fall from the sky, no two people are exactly alike. Psalm 139 tells us of God’s craftsmanship and knowledge of each individual He created. The psalmist praises,”I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each person's needs vary from one another. And our children are no exception. In fact, a child's brain needs guidance and instruction from caring adults at all ages. Screen time and media usage is an area of attentiveness adults must be aware of when raising children.  In an article covering this major topic, Mayo Clinic guides parents and caretakers on digital literacy, problems, developing rules, and teaching good behaviors with screens.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952 In a general Q & A article, the American Academy of Pediatricians reiterates the previously mentioned topics. They have also included a…
Read More
07Oct 2023 by nrcmmc
ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Chatbot News, Guidelines, Resources, Reviews
I Didn’t Write This Article; ChatGPT Did Title: The Pros and Cons of Artificial General Intelligence: A Parent's Perspective on ChatGPT Introduction Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has long been a topic of fascination and concern. AGI, unlike narrow or specialized AI, possesses the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks, much like the human brain. ChatGPT, a prominent example of AGI, has garnered significant attention, sparking both excitement and apprehension among parents. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of AGI with a specific focus on ChatGPT from a parent's viewpoint. Pros of Artificial General Intelligence: 1. Education and Learning Enhancement: AGI systems like ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize education. Parents can use such tools to supplement their children's…
Read More
11Jul 2022 by nrcmmc
Public Library Pitfalls

Public Library Pitfalls

Hazards, Resources, Reviews
Modern Media Articles | First NRC Modern Media Committee *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.
Read More
06Jun 2022 by nrcmmc
All Sides

All Sides

Resources, Reviews
AllSides is an American company that presents viewers with multiple versions of similar news stories from different perspectives to show readers news outside their filter bubble.  It exposes people to information and ideas from all sides of the political spectrum to increase their understanding of the world and each other.   AllSides portrays the day’s top news stories from the Left, Center and Right of the political spectrum side-by-side so you can view the whole picture.  Each article is reviewed and labeled left, left leaning, center, right leaning or right.   Knowing the political bias of media outlets allows you to consume a balanced news diet and avoid manipulation and fake news.  Media Bias Ratings are provided for over 800 media outlets and writers, so you can easily identify different perspectives.  https://www.allsides.com/media-bias …
Read More
02May 2022 by Martin Van't Foort
Google Family Link

Google Family Link

Apps, Cell Phones, Devices, Guidelines, Resources
Google Family Link is an app used to regulate usage of a child’s phone. Google Family Link’s purpose is to “help your family create healthy digital habits.” Key features of Family Link: It lets you view your child’s phone activity; which apps they’re using, and how much time they’re spending on each app.Whitelist for websites.  Start by approving a website like Google for search results and phone numbers.  If your child requests to visit a website, the parent must Approve or Decline before the child can access that website.You can decide if they can download apps from the App Store, and if they’re allowed to make in-app purchases.You can set limits on the amount of Screen Time they’re allowed to have each day.  You can also set a bedtime for…
Read More
07Jun 2021 by Sandra Post
Modern Media Guidelines

Modern Media Guidelines

Cell Phones, Filters, Guidelines, Resources
Modern Media Guidelines: Technology isn’t inherently evil; it’s more about how we choose to use it. We need to teach our adults & children how to safely use technology. With technology, we are required to give Biblical guidelines and safe boundaries that create long-term values. Filter & Accountability Utilize parental controls/restrictions/monitoring on each device (computer, phone, tablet). Add a filter on the internet signal coming into your house (router). In your home, keep the computers in a public place. For portable devices, set boundaries about where in the home they may be used. Simple & frequent checks on your own & your families’ devices, email accounts, and social media accounts could keep us from inappropriate interactions. Time & Age limits We recommend not giving smart phones or other portable devices with…
Read More