How Connected are They? How Connected are They? Understanding kids’ virtual livesUnderstanding kids’ virtual lives

Essentials for ParentsEssentials for Parents

How do kids use technology away from school?

GirlsGirls Design tools

– Digital Cameras– Photo editing & graphics– Digital scrapbooking

Websites related to interests– Barbie.com– Disney– American Girls– Webkinz

Social networking– Club Penguin, Whyville, – Facebook

iPod/Cell Phone

How do kids use technology away from school?

BoysBoys Electronic Toys

– Remote control– Robotics

Gaming systems– Nintendo & PSP– Wii Xbox…

Computer games– Online games

Pokeman Addicting Games

– P2P games YouTube iPod/Cell Phone

Different tools to keep in touch

When we were kids… Passing notes Telephone

Today… Passing notes Telephone Cell phone Smart phones Texting IM (instant messaging) Multi-player games Email (Gmail or Yahoo)

Video chatting (Meebo, Skype)

Video sharing (YouTube)

Photo sharing (Flickr, Photobucket)

Music sharing (iTunes, Pandora)

Social Networking (Facebook)

Any place, any time…

What is SOCIAL NETWORKINGSOCIAL NETWORKING?

Video: Social Networking in Plain English

Social Networking for Kids…Social Networking for Kids…

What’s the appealappeal?

“Personal feel” – handheld, palm-sized, concealed (DSi,iPod, Phone) Feeling like a big kid – using the tools teens/adults do Status updates – What are you doing this very minute? Interactive – “It does cool stuff” Posting and reading posts to feel important, validated Links to interests – music, celebrities, sports, schools, careers… Posts from “friends” and their activities Photo/video sharing – counting hits Perceived anonymity – “safe” to share Other options…

– Chat/IM & eMail– Music & video downloads– Surveys Games Contests Freebies

What are the benefits?

Getting/staying connected with friends/family Expressing yourself & personal exploration Meeting new people; keeping in touch with

old or occasional friends Learning about technology without needing

to be a “geek” Diversion/down time Social/political activism

What are the risksrisks?

Privacy - Sharing too much info w/o understanding:– Who potentially might see it– Losing control of it– How long it can potentially follow you– How it could be used now and in the future– Long-term digital footprint– Blurring boundaries of friendship

Cyberbullying – threats, inappropriate comments, etc. Viruses/malware – lots of little applications users can’t control

and don’t understand Inappropriate content – porn, adult language, Addiction – Being “always on” has a personal price; lots of

kids (and adults) have a hard time controlling the impulse

How connected are they?

iPod Touch DSi Wii XBox Cellphone Smartphone Netbook

Gmail Club Penguin Webkinz Facebook Online games YouTube Meebo/AIM

Awareness…

Many devices can go online, not just computers “Friends” vs. friends Wireless in the neighborhood… Virtual trespassing Most online accounts require kids to be 13 to create

an account – iTunes, YouTube, Facebook, Gmail, game sites…

Internet history doesn’t “disappear” What about webcams? Deleting vs. deactivating & online archives

If you don’t have an account…

Facebook wants you to use their service, so they let you see just enough as a non-user to want to become an active user.

A Visit to Facebook…

What should Privacy screens look like?

Final Thoughts

A Common Sense Approach to Internet Safety

Resources

Common Sense Media http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

FBI – Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm