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Today's technology is a far cry from what existed when we were growing up. Over the last couple of years I have talked with so many parents about computers, the internet, internet safety, cell phones, digital cameras, facebook, etc. and although many of us have different views on what type of access to technology is appropriate at what age, the one thing that we all seem to agree upon is that technology can open up many doors and opportunities, some good and some bad.

Social Networking, Cyberbullying, Sexting, Skype, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, FormSpring... all words that are part of our childrens’ everyday language and really enough to make a parent feel overwhelmed.  The internet has come so far in the last 10 years and the ability to access information, and people, with a few clicks is astonishing.  As parents, we need to learn and keep up on this information for our personal and professional lives; however, it is also increasingly more important for us to stay 'in the know' when it comes to being aware of what our kids are accessing online. 

Needless to say, all of the technology and social networking that exists today is not going to go away.  It may change over time, but is certainly not going anywhere!  Families need to figure out their house rules for using cell phones, using the internet and participating in social networking.

• Create a list of INTERNET HOUSE RULES as a family. Include the kinds of sites that are off limits, internet hours, what information should not be shared online, and guidelines for communicating with others online, including social networking. Your WIRELESS NETWORK in your home has the ability to be turned off for computers, iTouch access, etc. for specific hours. Take advantage of that and turn it off at night so you do not need to worry about kids getting up to check email or go online.
• What age is appropriate to let kids use the INTERNET? Again, this is something that must be decided upon for each family. Interestingly, many of our kids are online by the age of 3 or 4 playing games on the internet. This may be their gateway and first experience with the computer so it is a good time to start setting the ground rules for using the internet. You can use internet safety tools to limit access to content, Web sites, and activities. You can be actively involved in your child's internet use by insisting that your children not share personal information such as their real name, address, phone number, or passwords with people they meet online. If a site encourages kids to submit their names to personalize the Web content, help your kids create online nicknames that don't give away personal information. As your kids get older, and more internet savvy, keep Internet-connected computers in an open area where you can easily supervise your kids' activities. Continue to keep family communication as open and positive about computers as you can. Keep talking about online lives, friends, and activities, just as you would about other friends and activities. Encourage your teens to tell you if something or someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened.
• Finally, where do you stand on SOCIAL NETWORKING and allowing your kids to have a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or other type of account? This has been one of the biggest battles we have faced with our child in the current technological age. It is amazing to me the number of kids in elementary school (the age requirement is supposed to be 13) that have Facebook accounts. The types of drama and cyber-bullying that can happen between "friends" on Facebook is alarming. We have set 15 as the age when we will re-visit the Facebook request with our pre-teen; I am really hoping by that time Facebook will have lost it's novelty - although I am sure something else will pop-up to replace it by then!

Cyberbullying has become a national epidemic and is something that kids discuss amongst themselves, have presentations about at school and even the media is getting involved as ABC just aired a family movie on the topic. It had great messages for teens about the issues around social networking and chatting.

• The movie follows 17-year-old Taylor Hillridge, who becomes a victim of online bullies after receiving a laptop for her birthday and joining a social network online. Taylor begins to withdraw from her friends and family, as she becomes obsessed with the slurs and horrible things being said about her on the Internet. Pushed to the braking point, a life-changing event makes her realize she is not the only one to suffer at the hands of an online tormentor. Go to ABC to find out the next times this movie will air >
  

What about cell phones? How old were your kids when they started asking for one? One of the biggest selling points kids use for needing a cell phone is so that they can get in touch with their parent(s) at any given time, not to mention that "everyone" already has one. If you decide it is the right time get your child a phone, remember to talk to your kids about why you have given them this privilege, explain the safety concerns you have related to cell phone use, let them know you may be monitoring their usage and/or texts, and any additional rules that are relevant to your family. Set guidelines around texting and remember that you can disable to texting if it becomes an issue. Encourage your kids not to work out personal relationships over texting and the value of "face to face time".

• Are you able to translate OMG, LOL, TMI, F2F, B4N? These are the easy ones but do you have the whole online texting vocabulary mastered? View our ACRONYM TEXTING LIST with some of the most commonly used.

Wherever your family stands on technology and the amount you allow into your home is your choice as a parent. Whether a little or a lot, keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and your child is an essential piece of navigating our cyber world. The key is balance... technology will always be a part of our kids lives so we just need to make sure that they are also learning to appreciate the simple things that encourage them to use their imaginations and be creative. Parents also need to stay informed and spend time on these sites so they have a better understanding of what their kids are dealing with.

The ParentClick Team

We have had many questions this past six months about whether another company took over EastValleyParent.com and WestValleyParent.com and where all these other communities came from. Our corporate name has always been ParentClick and we have always had community sites. When we launched the new site, we decided to put all our communities on one domain and use the same business name for all of our communities.

As we expand, we are in need of more editors and sales staff. Currently we are looking for both throughout the Phoenix Metro Area. If you are interested in a part-time and flexible position, please email Kim at jobs@parentclick.com and we can share more details and job descriptions.

Summer break is in full swing, which means kids have more than their share of free time on their hands for the next few months. Many kids will be surfing the web and social networking during the warmer months—how can parents keep kids safe without hovering over their shoulders every time they turn on the computer? How can parents ensure their child doesn’t fall victim to cyber-bullying or internet predators while they’re at work?

1. Monitor your child’s Internet use- Checking their browsing history isn’t enough because it can be easily erased or not recorded at all. Parental control or monitoring software is the best option because it tracks every move your child makes online.
2. Make careful decisions about which online networks you allow your child to join. Pay close attention to news and media buzz surrounding the site, and read the site’s recommended age restrictions. Parents should join the networking site before they allow their kids to so they can make first-hand decisions about whether they feel it is appropriate or not.
3. Talk with your child about building and maintaining a good online reputation. Some kids are simply picked out of the blue as a target for bullies. Other times they bring it upon themselves by provoking it and by engaging in behavior that invites cyberbullying into their lives. Remind your child that the Internet is never anonymous, and that anything they put online is visible to everyone. Provide guidelines about what is acceptable online behavior and what is considered risky behavior that could potentially invite unwanted attention.
4. Check out what their peers are doing online. See what their classmates and friends are doing on social network sites and which ones they’re using. Besides checking just Facebook and MySpace, visit newer social sites like formspring.me and stickydrama.com. These sites are targeted to the 10-14-year-old age group and can be breeding grounds for cyberbullying. Talk with your child and let them know that even if they are mature enough to use social networking sites responsibly, the same can’t always be said of their peers.
5. Teach your child to lead by example. Talk to your kids about the harm cyberbullying can cause, and teach them to be nice to kids online. Teach them that just because their peers are being mean to someone doesn’t make it okay for them to jump on the bandwagon. Tell them to walk away from groups of kids who have started cyberbullying instead of dragging it out further and making the situation worse.

~Submitted by McAfee