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
Google Safe Search

Google Safe Search

Tutorials
GOOGLE SAFE SEARCH Google offers a feature that may help deter explicit material that can come up on your screen when your child is doing a simple Google search for homework.  To make sure Google Safe Search is enabled, open your Google search screen.  You must be signed into your Google account for this to work effectively.  Looking at the screenshot below, on the bottom right, is the settings tab, click that to open, click on Search Settings.  It opens the following screen.  Be sure the “Turn On SafeSearch” is checkmarked.   Scroll down and hit SAVE!! Another feature of safe search, it will decrease the amount of inappropriate images.  Do a google search, click the IMAGES tab, right beside the All.  On the RIGHT of the screen you should…
Read More
Youtube Parental Controls

Youtube Parental Controls

Tutorials
YouTube is home to tons and tons of great videos, and a lot of them are useful orinstructional for children to watch. It has everything from science videos todocumentaries for kids to humorous skits to early learning shows. While this can be a great way to introduce a new subject to your children, what happens when the video is over and they start looking for other things to watch on their own?With over 100 hours of videos uploaded to YouTube every minute, it’s likely they could watch something that’s not suitable. After all, it’s not all funny cat videos. That’s why it’s a good idea to utilize YouTube’s parental controls. It’s already built in and does a decent job at providing a first line of defense against displaying inappropriate videos.…
Read More
Is Privacy Really Private?

Is Privacy Really Private?

Tutorials
The Department of Homeland Security Privacy Act Statement says a Privacy Policy “provides protection to individuals by ensuring that personal information collected by Federal agencies is limited to that which is legally authorized and necessary and is maintained in a manner which precludes unwarranted intrusions upon individual privacy.” Source That means, anytime a ‘company’ asks for your personal information (identification, financial, geographical, etc), they are required to have a Privacy Policy that you can view; that specific Privacy Policy will inform the registrant of how their information will be collected, used, and protected. Information collected will depend on who is collecting it and what it is for (ex: bank and personal information for credit cards or loans; name and email for an account on a website). Have you ever wondered…
Read More
Social Media Safety

Social Media Safety

Guidelines
Most teens use some form of social media and have a profile on a social networking site. Many visit these sites every day.There are plenty of good things about social media — but also many risks and things kids and teens should avoid. They don't always make good choices when they post something to a site, and this can lead to problems.So it's important to talk with your kids about how to use social media wisely.  kidshealth.org/en/parents/social-media-smarts.html
Read More
I trust my child

I trust my child

Editorials
I trust my child….even with a phone Do you trust your child? Raised from your knees, learned to crawl, walk, talk. Started Kindergarten, learned to read and write. Helps with the chores and housework. For sure each has their personality, but we all have some faults; nobody is perfect. They do respect me and do as told, most of the time; especially my oldest child. He/she is always with me. So yes, I do trust them. We have many good discussions about how bad things can be today; the world with all its influences, television, and today the internet, and all that is on it. After all, at 14 years old, they are becoming quite responsible! Driver education now starting, and they have a driving permit. Hard to believe they…
Read More
Sexting

Sexting

Guidelines, Hazards
A recent survey found that at least one in four teens receive sexually explicit texts and emails. At least one in seven teens send "sexts." Why do they do it? To show off, to entice someone, to show interest in someone, or to prove commitment. Or even as a joke. Teens' developing interest in sex, an impulse to experiment, and apps that make sexting easy -- and acceptable -- create an environment that some teens find irresistible. The attached article and video highlights these common causes of sexting and gives parents some advice on how to handle this potential problem with your children.  At a minimum, the Modern Media committee recommends the following: Communicate with your children, early and often, about the sin and dangers of sexting Don’t allow apps…
Read More
Five Most Dangerous Places for Kids to be Online

Five Most Dangerous Places for Kids to be Online

Guidelines, Hazards
Where Kids Use Tech Dictates How They Use Tech It’s impossible for parents to control all of the doorways that exist for a child to access the web. Creating an internet safety strategy for home is one thing, but how many other ways exist for your child to watch YouTube without you knowing? Although parents can’t control all of the environments where their kids spend time, there are a few high-risk environments that warrant more attention. Read the Article
Read More