Monthly Archives: August 2013

Many parents have concerns about their children playing video games, and rightfully so. Often, moms and dads worry that their kids are spending too much time gaming, or they may fear that violent video game titles could have a negative effect on their kid’s psyche. These are valid concerns, but as you may suspect, it’s the dangers you aren't aware of that can be the most threatening. Did you know that Xbox Live is much more than just a gaming console? In fact, it’s a gaming community that connects more than 48 million members looking for social entertainment. Sounds like fun, right? Your kid thinks so too, but he needs your help to play it safe on this platform. Consider these three tips: Read more

We’ve reviewed a lot of dangerous and frighteningly popular apps recently, but Tinder may be the absolute worst for tweens and teens. Simply Google “Tinder” or check out their Twitter profile and you’ll quickly discover that this app is all about hooking up. Even so, the age restriction for using Tinder is (gasp!)only 12! Read more

In a blog post published Monday, LinkedIn announced that it will be opening its virtual doors and rolling out the red carpet for high school students as young as 13 beginning September 12th. The site, sometimes referred to as “Facebook for professionals,” is ushering young people in with a new feature called University Pages, which is designed to help aspiring college students decide which college to attend and what major to pursue. The company’s announcement has garnered mixed reactions around the Web, with supporters singing its praises and critics calling it the end of childhood as we know it. Of course, as is often the case, the truth about the matter likely lies somewhere between these two extremes. Read more

Could your child be texting with strangers without you knowing about it? Unfortunately, if you haven’t yet taken the necessary precautions to block dangerous mesaging apps, the answer is “yes.” While there are dozens of apps available that provide a way for users to communicate with each other, Kik is particularly problematic. Take a moment to learn what this app is all about including the threats that it poses to your child’s safety. Read more

A new study conducted by the Pew Research Center in collaboration with The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard reveals that teens do seek out advice about how to manage their online privacy, and they’re nearly as likely to seek help from their parents as they are from their peers. That’s good news, but whether or not the advice they are getting is helpful and whether they choose to take that advice remains to be seen. Read more

With new social networks, photo-sharing, and now video-sharing apps popping up all the time, it can be difficult for parents to keep up with which apps and platforms are safe for kids. Twitter’s new Vine app, which allows users to create and share looping videos has become increasingly popular with the teenage crowd, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Here’s the scoop. Read more

Often, we make the mistake of thinking our kids are more tech-savvy than we are. While your child may be able to master the latest video game in one sitting or even learn to code, there are still some things you can teach him or her about tech devices. And one thing that parents tend to be particularly good at is keeping their kids safe, whether it be online or off. While you’re teaching your child about online safety, don’t forget to instruct them on the importance of secure passwords. Here are some tips you’ll want to be sure to share. Read more

Hannah SmithFourteen-year old Hannah Smith’s suicide is the latest to be linked to the social media site Ask.fm. At least six other young people have taken their lives since the site’s launch in 2010 due (at least in part) to the cyberbullying they endured from other Ask.fm users. Read more

Most parents are aware of the many dangers that pose a threat to their children online, including violent or sexually explicit content, predators, and cyberbullies to name a few. Not many parents stop to think about the negative influence of online advertisements, though, particularly those that peddle unhealthy food choices. Read more

We’ve all heard the claims that technology is dumbing down America’s children, but are they true? Does texting and online speak truly compromise our kids’ ability to communicate effectively in the “real world?” The answer, according to a recent Pew Internet survey, is yes and no. Read more