ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Setting Screen Limits: Top 3 Tipshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/setting-screen-limits/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/setting-screen-limits/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/08/setting-screen-limits/#commentsFiled under: , ,

setting tv limits

Credit: Corbis

Not all screens are created equal

* Kids spend nearly 7.5 hours per day with media.
* Balancing media usage is an essential part of growing up.
* When it comes to screen time, both quality and quantity matter.

Setting Screen Limits

Our kids are growing up in front of screens. From smartphones to gaming devices to the ever-present computer, our kids seem mesmerized by them. According to a recent Kaiser Foundation study, kids as young as 8 are spending nearly 7.5 hours per day consuming media. That's not surprising. Video games, Facebook, the Internet, and even TV -- they all seem so much more interesting than, say, doing homework. But studies have shown that all of this screen time can impact everything from kids' health to their school readiness.

The solution isn't as simple as turning everything off. There's a huge difference between an hour spent playing World of Warcraft and the same amount of time spent learning vocabulary from a smartphone app or composing music online.

So when it comes to screen time, it's important to pay attention to both quality and quantity.

In today's 24/7 digital world, learning to balance media usage has become an essential part of growing up. Just as kids learn not to eat too much candy, they must learn how to manage their media diets. While it helps to start when your kids are young, it's never too late to teach them how to recognize when enough is enough.

As parents, we need to guide our children toward activities that help them learn, stimulate their interests, and express their creativity. The task then becomes separating the mindful from the mindless. Following these simple steps will greatly help you and your kids manage -- and even optimize -- screen time.

Tips for all kids

Set an example. Do you hand your kid a smartphone in restaurants, keep the TV on during dinner, or check your email constantly? It'll be harder to teach your kids how to balance media usage if they don't see you doing the same.

Set limits. Parents can help kids develop self-control by working with them to create a schedule that incorporates all of the things they need to do in a day. Make sure that homework, hobbies, and good learning games come first. And you may want to schedule in some downtime. Childhood development experts say it's good for kids to be idle - and maybe even bored. Those moments allow for introspection and the development of self-awareness.

Get involved. Remember, not all screens are created equal - so make sure you know what your kids are doing. Take the time to sit down and play their favorite game with them or look at their latest digital creation. Once you have a sense of their interests, you can help them make better decisions about what they watch, play, and do. Plus, the more involved you are with your kids' digital lives, the better conversations you can have with them about their media choices.

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]]>how to limit tv watchingkids watching tvsetting screen limitsthe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 08 Jul 2011 09:00:00 ESTHow to Keep Junk Food Ads Off Your Kid's Platehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/junk-food-ads/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/junk-food-ads/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/05/junk-food-ads/#commentsFiled under:



Nothing says "summer" like a good fast food tie-in. Among my favorites? The first Transformers movie, which was rated PG-13 but lent its brand to Happy Meal toys aimed at kids 4-9. Too bad the adult meal didn't come with a person to explain why the movie was a non-starter for kids that age.

Age-inappropriate targeting -- arguably begun in 1992 when McDonald's got scolded for pushing toys to kids for Batman Returns (rated PG-13 for violence) -- has become a time-honored practice. This summer, Burger King is promoting the PG-13 Transformers: Dark of the Moon by giving away Transformers toys with a BK Kids Meal. Subway is shilling Green Lantern.

Does this stuff work? Take one look at our country's childhood obesity numbers, and you'll be convinced.

According to a new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics entitled "Children, Adolescents, Obesity and the Media," ads for junk food and fast food increase kids' desire for these foods. And what's a great way for your fast food message to reach kids? When it's wrapped up in an ad for the latest movie. [Read the AAP's Policy Statement.]

At Common Sense, we believe in age-appropriate entertainment. So why do these companies get away with marketing violent movies and fast food to little kids?

One way to combat the messages is to assert your views loud and clear. Start a conversation with your kids about the way that food is marketed and the tricks advertisers use to make it look appetizing. Get more pointers for keeping junk food advertising off your kid's plate.

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]]>fast foodfast food adsGreen Lanternjunk foodtransformersthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 05 Jul 2011 09:30:00 ESTHow to Limit What Kids Watch on TVhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/29/how-to-limit-what-kids-watch-on-tv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Limit What Kids Watch

Limit the amount of time your child spends in front of screen with the help of these tips! Credit: Getty Images

Between the computer, the TV, the DS, and the Wii, a lot of screens are vying for your kids' attention. Parents try lots of different things to limit screen time -- everything from outright bans to "only on weekends" to setting a timer. Being The Enforcer of Screen Time Limits may solve your "right now" goal of getting kids to turn off. But raising kids with an understanding of healthy screen limits and the ability to self-regulate takes a little more work.

Like everything in parenting, media management is a process -- one that requires balancing your long-range goals with the daily reality of the various devices in your kids' lives. Here's an age-by-age media-management plan with some practical tips to try along the way.

Preschool age. Creating consistent, healthy media habits starting when kids are just beginning to be exposed to screens is essential. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of total screen time for children older than 2 (and zero screen time for children under 2). Use that as a maximum amount and work down from there to find the amount that feels appropriate in your family, factoring in all the things required for healthy preschool brain, body, and social development.

  • Provide distractions. Diversions work well for this age group -- and preschoolers love to help out. At dinner time, instead of busying them with the TV while you cook, ask them to sort all your pots and pans from biggest to smallest.
  • Practice togetherness. What kids this age need is a close, loving relationship with an active, involved caregiver. It's actually OK to do nothing but count dust bunnies, as long as you're together.
  • Do activities. Find a book of rainy-day activities that use household objects for easy little projects you can set up (and clean up!) easily.

Elementary and Middle school. At this age, friends take on a much more significant role in kids' lives. Kids also begin to develop their own interests -- some of which they might want to research on the computer. Explaining the reasons why you're choosing to limit screen time will help your kid begin to understand the consequences of their choices. Help them understand that spending excessive amounts of time in front of a screen impacts their ability to develop a rich and full life -- and takes precious, non-retrievable time away from all the things they need to do (like eat, sleep, do homework, read, and play sports).

  • Delegate chores. Working parents can feel guilty asking kids to do chores, but it's actually really good for them -- and it helps you, too. Just remember to keep them manageable.
  • Schedule play dates. If kids are going to use the computer or game console, invite a friend (or two) and make it social. That removes the isolating aspect of gaming, which can lead to game addiction, loss of empathy, and social withdrawal.
  • Grant privileges. Use screen time as a goal that kids have to work for.
  • Encourage creativity. If kids start exploring digital arts, encourage some of the off-line aspects, like drawing, sketching scenes, writing, costume design, etc.

High school. Teenagers still haven't developed the judgment to always make great decisions, but they're smart enough to understand the influences of risky practices. For high schoolers, you'll have more success if you explain the reasons why too much screen time is harmful. For example, too much exposure to violent video games raises aggression and lowers empathy. Your kids may actually be able to see evidence of this in their peers who spend too much time playing games.

  • Don't give up. Continue to require household participation like chores, and maybe up the ante by asking teens to make dinner once a week and do their own laundry.
  • Make quality choices. You still have a say in what they see, hear, and play. Put in your two cents about the importance of quality media.
  • Keep up grades. Pull back on screen time if grades are slipping.

Every family will have different amounts of time that they think is "enough." What's important is giving it some thought, creating age-appropriate limits (with built-in flexibility for special circumstances), making media choices you're comfortable with, and modeling responsible screen limits for your kids.

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]]>Limit What Kids Watchscreensthe editors at Common Sense MediaWed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 ESTTop 10 Social Sites for Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/27/top-10-social-sites-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/27/top-10-social-sites-for-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/27/top-10-social-sites-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Believe it or not, Facebook and Twitter aren't the only cool social networking sites on the Web. But before you register for any of these sites, be sure to read our Social Networking Tips and share them with your kid, so the whole family is on the same page about safe and responsible social networking behavior.


scuttlepad

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ScuttlePad (2010): Social network with training wheels is safe, but limited. Ages 7+











togetherville

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Togetherville (2010): Kids' social site connects to parents' Facebook friends. Ages 7+











my secret circle

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My Secret Circle (2009): Invitation-only social network limited to real-life friends. Ages 8+










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Yoursphere (2009): Kid-only social network promises to block dangerous adults. Ages 9+










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GiantHello (2010): Facebook-lite gets a lot right, but watch out for games. Ages 10+











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Sweety High (2010): Fun, closed social network for girls is strong on privacy. Ages 11+










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Imbee (2011): Safer social networking if parents stay involved. Ages 12+











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Glogster (2009): Creative social site tainted by some bad apples. Ages 13+











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Posterous (2009): Privacy settings and ease of use make blogging site a hit. Ages 13+











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YourCause (2009): An easy, fun, socially networked way to fundraise. Ages 13+

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]]>Social Networking for Kidssocial networking sitesthe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 27 Jun 2011 11:00:00 ESTSummer Reading Classicshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/summer-reading-classics/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/summer-reading-classics/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/24/summer-reading-classics/#commentsFiled under:

Nothing says summer like settling in with a good book. Whether your kid has an official summer reading list or just wants to take a virtual vacation courtesy of fiction, this list of some of our favorite summer reading classics is sure to help pass the time when it's too hot out to do anything but read.


Summer ReadingCharlotte's Web (2006) Gentle, much-loved classic delights all ages. Ages 5+

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The Wind in the Willows (2003) A timeless classic for generations. Ages 6+

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The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) Classic Narnia chronicle has Christian themes. Ages 8+

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Ramona and Her Father (2005) A timeless classic with the fab Ramona! Ages 9+

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Island of the Blue Dolphins (2003) A smart girl learns how to survive alone. Ages 10+

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Treasure Island (2009) The granddaddy of kids' adventures -- a classic. Ages 10+

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The Fellowship of the Ring (2003) A spectacular tale for young fantasy readers. Ages 12+










To Kill a Mockingbird (2004) Stunning classic examines racism -- and justice. Ages 12+

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The Catcher in the Rye (2005) One of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Ages 14+

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Slaughterhouse-five (2007) Vonnegut's time-travel classic best for mature teen readers. Ages 15+

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]]>books for teenskids booksSummer Readingthe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 24 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST5 Ways to Unplug on Vacationhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/23/unplug-on-vacation/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/23/unplug-on-vacation/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/23/unplug-on-vacation/#commentsFiled under: ,

unplug on vacation

Vacation is about unplugging and recharging! Credit: Getty Images

What's the biggest challenge facing families this summer? Cancelled flights? Rain delays? Try unplugging from our 24/7 media lives. For kids, that means no texting, no DS, no iPod, no computer. For parents, it means cutting the cord that keeps us connected to work (or Facebook, or our favorite podcast...).


We know it's not easy. And it affects nearly every family, no matter how old your kids are. (Some experts are even saying that mobile apps are the hottest
educational tools for kids!)

But with planning, coaxing, and a major dose of self-control, you can ditch the gadgets and enjoy some family face time.

1. Soften the blow. Call a family meeting to discuss your vacation schedule. Explain that it's going to be a digital-free trip -- and why. Then move quickly to No. 2.

2. Be flexible. So no one feels completely out of touch, plan something media-related that you can all do together. Have a family movie night, or schedule time during the day that gives everyone time to check their email or text a friend. (Set a timer!)

3. Unplug yourself. Kids learn more from what we do than from what we say. So say so long to your iPhone or Blackberry.

4. Do your research. Plan off-line activities that relate to where you're going. If you're going to Hawaii, learn about the native culture -- or take hula lessons!

5. Choose the road less traveled. Unplug your GPS, and have the kids navigate using a paper map. Extra credit for those who refold the map correctly.

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]]>Unplug on Vacationvacationthe editors at Common Sense MediaThu, 23 Jun 2011 10:00:00 ESTKnow that Face? Facebook Doeshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/22/facebook-face-recognition/#commentsFiled under: ,

facebook face recognition

Facebook face recognition now makes tagging your friends on Facebook easier - even the really inappropriate photos. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

No doubt about it, sharing pictures on Facebook is a major pastime for teens. And if they're careful with what they post and use privacy settings (a big if!), enjoying friends' pics is part of the fun of social networking. But Facebook's new face-recognition software can now automatically recognize people in photos -- and add their name to the picture -- dramatically increasing the number of places that your teen's photos can pop up.

How it Works


Called Tag Suggestions, the program digitally scans the faces in photos and suggests who they are so that you can tag them. The company claims that this feature makes it a lot easier for users to label and share photos. But it also makes it a lot easier for teens' online identity to get away from them.

[[See Protecting Personal Privacy Online for tips on setting privacy controls.]]

Let's say your teen daughter went to a party at a friend's last night. Everyone was taking photos and uploading them to their Facebook pages. When your teen goes to Facebook, she discovers that her exploits are broadcast for all of her friends to see. There are even some misidentified pics of particularly wild behavior that are tagged with her name but are really of someone else.

What happened? When the photos were uploaded, Facebook's Tag Suggestions automatically compared the faces in the photos to other Facebook photos they were tagged in. And while Facebook does notify users when they're tagged -- after the fact -- you still have to go in and un-tag yourself if you don't want to be identified.

[[See Photos Gone Wild for 5 tips on combatting unwanted photos.]]

Privacy Concerns

By allowing automatic tagging, Tag Suggestions erodes the measure of control that users had by looking at each photo and determining who to tag. What if you know -- but Facebook doesn't -- that one friend asked you never to tag them. Facial recognition and automatic tagging makes it a lot easier for you to forget that promise. And while there are a few privacy measures -- you can only be tagged by friends, you're notified when you're tagged, and suggestions are based only on photos you've been previously tagged in -- the setting is on by default. If you don't want your name cropping up all over your friends' pages, you have to turn the feature off.

Lots of things benefit from automatation -- dishwashing, for example. But on the Internet, where broadcasting people's images without their consent can have very public consequences, it seems fair that auto-tagging should be an opt-in feature.

Your teen can disable Tag Suggestions using the instructions below. You can also go a step further and bar Facebook from using your image to compare photos altogether by sending a note to the company.

How to Disable Tag Suggestions

From your Facebook page, click on Account.

Choose Privacy Settings.

Click on Customize Settings.

Scroll down to Things Others Share.

Next to Suggest photos of me to friends, click on Edit Settings.

Click on Disabled and click Okay.

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]]>face recognitionfacebookfacebook taggingtagging photosthe editors at Common Sense MediaWed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTShould Cell Phones Go to Camp?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/21/camp-phone-policy/#commentsFiled under: ,

camp phone policy

Most camps have policies. Credit: Sigrid Olson, Getty Images

Q. My 11-year-old is going to sleep-away camp, and I'm torn about letting her take her cell phone. What should I do?

A. Most camps have policies, so check those first. Sometimes camps prohibit them because they make kids more homesick if they call mom and dad every time they feel lonely.

Beyond that, part of what makes camp a special experience is the bonding that goes on among campers when they're cut off from the outside world. When your daughter can't text her friends from home, she's more likely to make lasting friendships with her bunkmates.

Plus, this is a great opportunity for her to safely develop some independence. Which actually cuts both ways: Thanks to cell phones, we're so used to being able to connect to our kids immediately that we don't often get the chance to stand back and let them deal with situations on their own. And if you're worrying about it for safety's sake, remember that you chose the camp because it was fun and responsible. Let your daughter do her thing.

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]]>cell phonesthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 21 Jun 2011 15:30:00 ESTBest Road Trip Appshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/best-road-trip-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Road Trip Apps

Long car rides can make children antsy - ease their pain with these apps! Credit: Getty Images

Road trips can be a time of family bonding and also an opportunity for whining -- these apps can help with both.


Wheels on the Bus (2010)
Classic kids' song becomes interactive in darling ways. Ages: 3+
Drawing Pad (2010)
Great drawing app for iPad is a window to self expression. Ages: 4+


Faces iMake - Premium! (2010)
Creativity blossoms in remarkably original art app. Ages 4+


Road-Trip-Bingo HD (2010)
Classic car trip game allows two people to play at once. Ages 5+


Cool Mad Libs (2010)
Fun family word game improves on the classic. Ages 7+


Pictureka! (2010)
Fast-paced searching game well-adapted from the board game. Ages 7+


Uno (2010)
Fun multiplayer game on same device, watch online play. Ages 7+


Battleship (2010)
Just like the classic board game but with big explosions. Ages 8+


Carcassonne (2010)
Great "Huddle" game on iPad about placing tiles. Ages 8+


Stack the States (2010)
Surprisingly fun geography education game. Ages 8+

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]]>appsRoad Trip Appsthe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 20 Jun 2011 10:30:00 ESTHow to Help Summer Learning Go Onhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/10/summer-learning-go-on/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/10/summer-learning-go-on/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/10/summer-learning-go-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Click here for a sneak peek of one of our favorite documentaries, "Spellbound."
Summer learning

Carefully chosen books, movies and games can get your kids learning. Credit: Getty Images

How do you prevent kids' brains from turning to mush over the summer? Well-chosen books, movies, games, websites, apps and TV shows that slip in some lessons along with the entertainment.

Here's what our editors love for summer learning.

TO WATCH

On TV

Best Educational TV Shows
Shhh! Don't tell them it's educational -- just let them learn while they watch.

"The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That"
Everyone's favorite feline makes natural science fun for kids.

"Word Girl"
Fighting the bad guys with a silver-tongue -- now that's smart!

On DVD

Best Documentaries
Few stories are as affecting and inspirational as the true ones that take place in the world every day.

"Under the Sea 3D"
Next time they go to the beach, your kids will certainly have lots to say about what's below the surface of the ocean.

"Young Mr. Lincoln"
Rather than a bloated, boring biopic, this is a thoroughly engaging glimpse into the iconic president's early years.

TO READ

Best Educational Books
During the summer, kids can take their time exploring subjects like math, science and history at their own pace.

"Of Thee I Sing"
A diverse selection of American heroes profiled by Barack Obama offers kids a wide range of inspirational stories.

"Goddess Girls: Athena the Wise"
Let your kids disappear in Ancient Greece with this updated version of the Greek myth.

TO PLAY

Free Educational Games
From word problems to weather to world hunger, these free games offer lots to learn.

Starfall
This outstanding learn-to-read site is sure to engage little ones.

Ansel & Clair's Adventures in Africa
This educational adventure app introduces kids to the three major regions of Africa.

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]]>Summer Learningthe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTHow to Get a Handle on Facebook's Privacy Settingshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/facebook-privacy-settings/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/facebook-privacy-settings/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/07/facebook-privacy-settings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Facebook's Privacy Settings

Kids today are growing up in public - and this is especially true when it comes to Facebook. Credit: Getty


Only You Can Control Your Online Privacy
  • Kids are growing up in public -- and this is especially true when it comes to Facebook.
  • Everything they say or do adds up and affects their reputations.
  • You can help your kids protect their privacy by making sure they use their privacy settings.
  • Every time Facebook introduces new privacy controls, you'll need to update your settings.

What parents need to know

Kids today are growing up in public - and this is especially true when it comes to Facebook. Countless details of their lives appear in pictures, conversations, and random thoughts. The issue here is simple: What they say or do on Facebook adds up and affects their reputations.

The simplest and most effective way to help your kids protect their reputations and privacy is to make sure they use their privacy settings. Our video shows you how to set the key Facebook privacy controls and what each setting means.


All about the settings

First, log into Facebook and click on the "Account" tab. Next click on "Privacy Settings." In each area, you can control what information is public and what information is private. Your kids need to set controls in three areas: Connecting on Facebook, Sharing on Facebook, and Apps and Websites.

Connecting on Facebook

Here's where you can control who can contact you -- and how -- as well as who can see certain information. Click on "View Settings" and then click into each section to select the level of desired privacy. We recommend selecting "Friends Only" for the settings on this page.

Pay close attention to the section that says Search for you on Facebook. Do you want anyone on Facebook to be able to search for your kids? We recommend no.

Sharing on Facebook

These settings allow you and your kids to see at a glance what information you're sharing -- and with whom. For most teens, the "Friends Only setting" is a relatively safe bet. But you can also fine tune these settings by clicking on "customize settings." If you choose this option, you can limit your circle to Friends Only, or to specific people - you can also block certain people. Your child can even make certain things visible only to himself.

Be sure not to check the box for "People Here Now" after I check in." CSM recommends that teens avoid location services.

Further down the page is another key setting, "Edit album privacy." Here, you'll be able to set which groups of people can see your photos -- we recommend "Friends Only" or customizing to name specific people to include or exclude. And "Friends Only" goes for the rest of the sections on the customize settings page.

Apps and Websites

Located on the Privacy settings main page, this section pertains to what information can be shared about you by app companies, other websites, and even by your friends. The most important privacy control here is: "Info accessible through your friends." This is the only way your kids will be able to have a say about what information leaves their control and goes out through their friends. Once a friend shares something with THEIR friends - well - it travels far and wide and your kids can't take whatever it was back. Best to leave these unchecked.

The very last setting on the Apps, Games, and Websites page is a key one: Public search. Facebook prevents users registered as teens to be searchable on a search engine. But if your teen has used a different birthdate, they could be searchable. Bottom line, don't enable public search for teens.


What do your kids need to know?

Facebook regularly changes it feature sets. So you will have to stay on top of things and pay attention when they send you notices. But taking the time to make sure your kids have set their privacy settings means your kids will have more control over their reputations and privacy, and you will have more peace of mind.

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]]>facebookfacebook privacythe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 07 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST10 Ways You're Not as Private as You Think on the Internethttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/06/10-ways-youre-not-as-private-as-you-think-on-the-internet/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

private

How much personal information are you really sharing? Credit: Getty

Little Ways You're Leaking Privacy

These days, so much of what you do online actually creates a record of your activities and preferences. You may not realize that you and your kids are creating permanent records that can be accessed by everyone from marketers to future employers. The stakes are high because unintentional public information can last for a very, very long time. Here are 10 ways you may be living much more publicly than you think.

10 Ways You're Not as Private as You Think

1. Allowing yourself to be publicly searchable on Facebook. Have you ever wondered if people can search for you on the Internet and find your Facebook profile? Unless you opt out of Public Search Results, they can. This goes for other social networking sites, too. Help your kids set their Facebook privacy controls.

2. Broadcasting your location. Kids can use Twitter, Foursquare, Loopt, Google Buzz, and Facebook Places to "check in" and tell people exactly where they are. When kids broadcast their whereabouts using these location-sharing programs, it not only makes them vulnerable to unwelcome personal contact, it gives away a ton of personal information to advertisers.

3. Ignoring your YouTube Activity Sharing settings. YouTube's Activity Sharing settings let you restrict all of your YouTube activities, including the videos you upload, to a closed circle of chosen friends. Review your kid's Activity Sharing settings -- and while you're at it, make sure their privacy controls are set to "only friends." And remember, regardless of your settings, anything kids upload could potentially become public, so they should never post anything they wouldn't be comfortable showing to say, grandma.

4. Using Chatroulette. This video chatting site randomly connects you to other users anywhere around the world. Chatroulette requires no registration, so anyone with a webcam can use it and do anything they want -- including tempt your kids to give away private information, take your picture, and record your conversation. Beyond that, these types of programs reduce the time between thought and action and that can be risky for kids.

5. Not talking to your kids about online privacy. Kids create lasting records of their lives whenever they post something. Nothing is private online. Once they post something, it can travel far and wide and be viewed by who knows who. Talk to them about their responsibility in guarding their own privacy.

6. Giving your baby a Facebook page. Really?

7. Neglecting to read a company's privacy policy. When you register for a site or download an app, you are accepting the company's usage of your private information. Many companies say "we won't sell your information," but there are other ways they collect and use information about you. Some children's websites retain the right to send kids as young as 13 email ads and other promotions. Treat the site registration process as you would a store's return policy -- read it, and if you don't like it, don't buy it.

8. Using your real name as your user name in virtual worlds and other online games. Most kids' websites remind kids not to give away personal information, and employ filters and moderators to prevent kids from posting it. But kids who are active in cyberspace may have avatars, game tags, and other identifiers. They need lots of reminders about keeping personal information to themselves. Visit your kid's favorite online world or game and you'll find other users creatively trying to get around the site's filters.

9. Revealing your status. Instant messaging is the easiest way to give yourself up, but every social network allows you to reveal your current status. AIM, for example, makes anyone visible to all their buddies when they sign in unless they mark "invisible." MySpace uses an "Online Now" icon. Why does everyone need to know when your kid is online? They don't. The only people who need to know where your kid is at all times are mom and dad.

10. Letting your kid sign up for anything before you know the facts. Whether it's a new app, a new program feature, or even a ringtone, new things are coming out all the time -- and your kid may hear about them before you do. Do your homework on whatever it is and who's doing the selling. In this 24/7 world where information is constantly being bought and sold, you can never be too careful.

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]]>Privatethe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 06 Jun 2011 10:30:00 ESTGPS Tracking: Should Your Teens Use Location Services?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/gps-tracking-teens/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/gps-tracking-teens/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/03/gps-tracking-teens/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GPS Tracking

Do you know where your children are? Foursquare does! Credit: AP

Location apps change the game by identifying your physical location:

  • Location apps let kids post their actual, physical location.
  • According to a 2010 study by McAfee Inc., 69 percent of kids ages 13 to 17 have included their physical location in their social networking status update.
  • Safety and privacy are the major areas of concern.
  • Marketers use these programs to send highly targeted ads.
  • If you're going to use them, set privacy controls to the strictest settings.
Social Networking Gets Really Personal

Social networks connect kids online. But a new technology takes connecting a step further -- to face-to-face meet-ups. New programs called location-sharing use geographic information from your smartphone to connect people to specific places, as well as to each other.

You may have heard of some of the most popular ones: Loopt, Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places. Most of these programs are designed for smartphones, but they also can be accessed on the Web. Once you join, you can post your actual physical location.

And that's what makes location sharing a no-go for kids and teens. These programs bring up two big issues: safety and privacy. Since they let you post your location, they can expose your kid's whereabouts to anyone they "friend" -- or, in some cases, to any other user of the program. Also, advertisers are already using social mapping to target users with ads and incentives to visit their businesses (most of which are bars and restaurants).

Foursquare was one of the first entries into the location-sharing game. Here's how it works: When you sign up, you import contacts from other programs like Facebook, Twitter and Gmail. Using Foursquare's mobile website or its smartphone app, you "check in" -- send a message saying where you are and what you're doing -- and the program alerts your friends to tell them where they can find you. (Foursquare does allows you to hide your location, so you can check in without revealing it.) Foursquare uses a gaming motif, which makes it especially appealing for kids.

Facebook Places is available on iPhones or accessible through the company's touch.facebook.com site. It gives you the option of sharing your location with your Facebook friends and checking specific locations to see if your friends are there. For users younger than 17, Places is an "opt in" feature, meaning you have to enable it to use it. But make sure you check your kid's privacy settings anyway.

Gowalla works very much the same way as Foursquare, with a gaming aspect that rewards people for visiting certain places and doing interesting things. Unlike Foursquare's more finely customizable privacy settings, Gowalla's privacy settings are either on or off -- allowing people to view you or not. But Gowalla retains certain features that are publicly available even if you've checked "off." For example, if you recommend something, your recommendation appears under your user name.

Another popular program in this category is Loopt, which is currently only available as a downloadable app with phones using GPS. It's also geared more for singles looking for relationships -- the personal profile asks you to check boxes indicating your relationship status and what type of relationship you're looking for.

Like Facebook, Loopt gives its users the ability to send messages to friends, and while its ability to connect people face-to-face is highly targeted, it does offer fairly customizable privacy settings, including the ability to hide your location and block people.

What Parents Need to Know

1. These programs aren't for your kids. Ignore the "ratings" you may see online. The apps must be downloaded, and even though they're free, you'll get a receipt for it, so you'll know whether it's been installed. Either way, check your child's phone for these apps. You need to know what they're doing.

2. If you think it's OK for your kid to use one of these apps, then you must make sure that their privacy settings are set to the strictest options (as in, designated "friends only). That said, there are no guarantees that your child will be 100% protected from strangers or unwanted advertisers.

3. Since the programs allow users to post directly to Facebook or Twitter from any location, questions of safety and responsible behavior must be addressed. You don't want someone telling everyone about a party at someone else's house.

4. Finally, don't our kids have enough ads in their lives? These programs have the ability to send highly targeted ads -- to your kids' favorite store at the mall, for example. Constant advertising has a tendency to give people the "gimmes." Reinforce the fact that they can use the word "no."

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]]>facebook placesfoursquareGPS Trackinggps tracking teenslooptteens and mediathe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 03 Jun 2011 12:00:00 ESTRules of the Road for Kids in a Digital Agehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/rules-of-the-road-for-kids-in-a-digital-age/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/rules-of-the-road-for-kids-in-a-digital-age/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/02/rules-of-the-road-for-kids-in-a-digital-age/#commentsFiled under:



When we were growing up, a permanent record was something your school kept. Now, our kids create lasting records of their lives whenever they post something online. In a world where anything can be copied, pasted, altered and distributed in the blink of an eye to a vast invisible audience, kids must understand that they hold the key to what kind of reputation they create for themselves.

Help kids help themselves

As parents, it's up to us to help our kids understand the consequences of their actions and prepare them for the fact that the user name "FatGreenWizard" -- which might have been cute in 5th grade -- won't be so adorable at that first job interview. We have to help them think long term about posting those pictures that will inevitably come back to bite them on areas of the body that were all too likely on display in the offending snapshots. Here are a few rules of the road that will help our kids as they grow up in public:

Rules of the Road for Kids
  • Guard your privacy. What people know about you is up to you.
  • Protect your reputation. Self-reflect before you self-reveal. What's funny or edgy today could cost you tomorrow.
  • Nothing is private online. Anything you say or do can be copied, pasted, and sent to gazillions of people without your permission.
  • Assume everyone is watching. There's a huge, vast audience out there. If someone is your friend's friend, they can see everything.
  • Apply the Golden Rule. If you don't want it done to you, don't do it to someone else.
  • Watch the clock. A virtual hug never matches a real one. Balance your life.
  • Choose wisely. Not all content is appropriate. You know what we mean.
  • Don't hide. Using anonymity to cloak your actions doesn't turn you into a trustworthy, responsible human being.
  • Think about what you see. Just because it's online doesn't make it true.
  • Be smart, be safe. Not everyone is who they say they are. But you know that.

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]]>internet safetyonline rulesonline safetythe editors at Common Sense MediaThu, 02 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTTeach Your Kids How to Use Creative Media Tools Responsiblyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/teach-your-kids-how-to-use-creative-media-tools-responsibly/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/teach-your-kids-how-to-use-creative-media-tools-responsibly/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/01/teach-your-kids-how-to-use-creative-media-tools-responsibly/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Creative Media Tools

Even if kids think what they post is private, nothing is guaranteed. Credit: Getty Images

Great technology not only gives kids tools to create, but it also empowers and inspires them. Digital creation covers anything from filming a video with a cell phone and posting it online to composing music on Garage Band to creating a blog or photo album and sharing it with friends and family.

The combination of easy-to-use tools that now come pre-installed on most computers and the easy ways to share videos, music, writing and photography online mean our kids can create just about anything.

Why digital creation matters

Like everything else in our kids' digital lives, using these new powerful tools comes with new responsibilities. We want kids to create and share their music, movies, words and images. But we also want to be sure they realize that whatever gets sent into the digital world can ultimately be captured or seen or sent around by anyone. Even if kids think what they post is private, nothing is guaranteed.

In short, the moment people share their creations online, they lose control over them. Another thing to keep on your kids' radar: Just because they can do something doesn't mean they should. (See our advice for budding digital photographers.) The promise of an audience and instant recognition can inspire kids to use these tools in inappropriate ways. Videos of fights, sexually revealing images, speech that's hateful or simply cruel all are far too common in the digital world.

The facts

  • Twenty-seven percent of all 9- to 17-year-olds are practiced online producers, maintaining blogs, pages or other online spaces at least three times a week (Grunwald Associates, 2007).
  • Most computers now come with basic photo editing software built in.
  • Anyone older than 13 can post a YouTube video.
  • Social networks such as MySpace have become showcases for teen-created music, videos and photos.
  • Some fan fiction sites give kids a forum to write their own stories about their favorite books or movies.
Tips for parents of all kids

  • Pick age-appropriate tools. There are great programs for elementary kids to draw, make birthday cards, create digibooks and more. For older kids, check that their new technology isn't too complicated or advanced for them. For example, a middle-school student might not make good choices when it comes to using the webcam on her new computer.
  • Assess the level of technical difficulty before your kids dive in. If they aren't ready for it, trying to do something will frustrate them -- and you.
  • Know how programs work. You don't have to know how to make a video or create a music mash-up, but you do have to know enough to have the talk with your children about using programs responsibly. Not sure where to begin? Ask your kids how they use the tools or programs they love.
  • Using someone else's work without approval is a huge no-no. It's called plagiarism or piracy or copyright violation. Any way you look at it, the idea is for kids to create something, not rip off something else.
  • Talk about what's appropriate. You've given them the tools, now teach kids how to use them responsibly.
  • Once something is posted, anyone can see it, share it, re-use it and/or comment on it. So, it should be something that your kids are willing to have anyone at the dinner table see.
  • Don't let money -- or the lack of it -- stand in your child's way. Encourage collaboration with other kids and community programs.
  • Most importantly, encourage and motivate your child. The creative avenues are there, the positive possibilities are endless. How you guide your child through all the choices can make all the difference. Steer kids toward sites and activities that fit their interests -- and your values as a family.

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]]>Creative Media Toolscreative toolsmediatoolsthe editors at Common Sense MediaWed, 01 Jun 2011 16:00:00 ESTInternet Safety for Middle School Kidshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/internet-safety-for-middle-school-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/internet-safety-for-middle-school-kids/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/internet-safety-for-middle-school-kids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Internet Safety

Middle schoolers lead digital lives, so why not make sure they do it safely? Credit: Getty Images

In the middle school years, teens begin social networking, creating and uploading comments (blogs, videos, pictures), downloading music and other files, researching subjects for school, chatting on IM, video-chatting and more. In short, middle schoolers are leading digital lives.

At this age, the Internet is no longer a solitary or passive experience. For preteens and teens, the Internet is social. Teens are using the Internet to express themselves and to experiment anonymously with different identities. While the desire to strike out on their own is age-appropriate, these kids still need parental guidance (sometimes from a respectful distance) on how to conduct themselves safely online.

The facts

  • Most teens are online: 91 percent have an email address; 60 percent have an instant-message screen name; and 72 percent have profiles on social networking sites (Harris Interactive, 2009).
  • Seventy-seven percent of 8- to 15-year-olds said they'd rather give up TV than give up the Internet (Pangea Media and YPulse, 2009).
  • Twenty-seven percent of all 9- to 17-year-olds work on blogs or other online spaces at least three times a week (Grunwald Associates, 2008).
  • One in five kids ages 8 to 17 say they do things online that their parents would not approve of (Norton Online Living Report, 2007).
Why Internet safety matters

Young teens don't yet have an "off" switch in their brains, meaning they often act impulsively. This lack of impulse control combined with online anonymity could lead middle schoolers toward dangerous behaviors: cyberbullying, inappropriate photo or video uploads, illegal downloads, meeting strangers, even cheating. Because socializing is so important to young people, online interactions can become pretty intense -- whether they're playing games, chatting with friends or sharing work.

Teens are creating a digital footprint that can last a long time in cyberspace. Things they post can be forwarded by others and viewed by vast anonymous audiences. If you teach them to self-reflect before they self-reveal, their online experiences are more likely to be safe.

The first step to keeping your preteens and teens safe on the Internet is to find out what they're doing online to make sure they're behaving respectfully and responsibly. Talk to them about what's appropriate to say to others, what kind of content is okay to upload and download and what kinds of interactions are important to avoid. Helping your children become responsible digital citizens is what will ultimately keep them safe online.

Internet safety basics

  • Never share names, schools, ages, phone numbers or addresses.
  • Never open an email from a stranger -- it may contain viruses that can harm a computer.
  • Never send pictures to strangers or view pictures that strangers send to them.
  • Keep passwords private (except to parents).
  • Tell a trusted adult if something mean or creepy happens on the Internet.
Strategies for responsible -- and safer -- online life

  • Visit age-appropriate sites. Find sites that promote learning and creativity and that deepen your kids' interests. Also check out popular websites before your kids visit them. Despite what your kids might tell you, social networks such as MySpace or Facebook are not meant for middle-schoolers.
  • Minimize chatting with strangers. Tell your kids people aren't always who they say they are on the Internet. Anyone can pose as a "buddy of a buddy." If kids are playing online games with people they don't personally know, they should be careful not to disclose anything personal.
  • Help kids think critically about what they find online. Young people need to know not everything they see is true. You may wish to use safe-search settings or filtering software for younger kids. And you can always check browser histories to see where your kids have been.
  • If they wouldn't do it in real life, they shouldn't do it online. Remind them: Don't say mean things, and don't cheat in games or at school.
  • Have some rules about time and place. Set limits on the amount of time your kids spend online. Don't let them Instant Message (IM) while doing homework. Restrict time and sites for online gaming.
  • Agree on downloads. What music is OK? Which video sites? Don't just hand out your credit card information to your kids. If they need to buy something, you should be involved.
  • Talk about privacy. Remind your kids that when they post something online, they lose control of it. It can be cut and pasted and sent around the Web. Show kids where privacy settings are on their favorite sites and help them think about the settings they should use.
  • Make sure kids feel safe reporting bad behavior. It doesn't have to be you, but if anything suspicious, mean or scary happens, they need to know they won't get in trouble if they tell a trusted adult.
  • Be involved and view your own habits carefully. Parents are their role models for safe and smart use. Enjoy the good stuff together!
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]]>computersinternetInternet Safetymiddle schoolersthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 ESTSummer Movie Preview: Coming Soon to a Theater Near Youhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/summer-movie-preview/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/summer-movie-preview/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/31/summer-movie-preview/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Summer Movie Preview

Kung Fu Panda 2. Credit: Disney

With so many sequels, comic book-hero adventures and big-budget action and animated flicks hitting multiplexes near you this summer, we've provided a month-by-month cheat sheet to help you with your movie-going choices.

May

"Thor"
Release Date: May 6
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Even in the pantheon of superheroes, Thor is unique because he's an actual god. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman, this is one action adventure that's sure to appeal equally to boys and girls, not to mention grown-ups curious about director Kenneth Branagh delving into the genre.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"
Release Date: May 20
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Yo, ho -- Johnny Depp returns for the fourth time as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's popular pirate franchise. Gone are Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, but Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane are on board for this high-seas adventure that looks equal parts rummy comedy and special-effects-heavy action.

"Kung Fu Panda 2"
Release Date: May 26
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Po (voiced by Jack Black) is back for some more kung fu fighting. The Furious Five are all reprising their roles, as well, and now there's a group of fellow martial arts masters who team up with Po and pals to defeat a common enemy. Even kids who aren't familiar with the original will want to kick and chop their way to this adventure.

June

"X-Men: First Class"
Release Date: June 3
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: If seeing Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) back when they were friends isn't compelling enough, this Cold War-set origin story also features a who's who of Hollywood's rising stars as young mutants, including Nicholas Hoult, Lucas Till and Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence (who's set to play Katniss in the upcoming "Hunger Games" adaptation).

"Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer"
Release Date: June 10
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Like Ramona Quimby, Judy Moody is a favorite literary heroine of young readers everywhere. Judy, her brother Stink and their carefree Aunt Opal are going to have a thrills-filled summer on the big screen, and we can assure you that the kindergarten-to-third-grade set will be ready to go on a virtual adventure with them.

"Super 8"
Release Date: June 10
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: A collaboration between writer-director J.J. Abrams ("Star Trek," "Lost") and producer Steven Spielberg, this sci-fi thriller/coming-of-age story set in 1979 Ohio is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer. Starring a young cast led by Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney -- who play wannabe filmmakers using the titular Super 8 camera -- this could be the movie of the season.

"Green Lantern"
Release Date: June 17
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Unlike Thor, the Green Lantern wasn't born with super powers -- he acquires them like Spider-Man or The Hulk. The ever-popular Ryan Reynolds stars as DC Comics hero Hal Jordan, a test pilot who's given a ring of nearly unlimited power that lets him create whatever he imagines. Expect tweens and up -- especially comics fans -- to want to check it out.

"Mr. Popper's Penguins"
Release Date: June 17
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Comedian Jim Carrey stars as the titular Mr. Popper, a businessman who inherits six penguins that quickly turn his apartment -- and his life -- into their personal wintry playland. If anyone can pull off an adaptation of the classic children's book by Richard and Florence Atwater, it's Carrey. And unlike most animal comedies, these penguins don't speak!

"Cars 2"
Release Date: June 24
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Lightning, Mater and the rest of everyone's favorite Radiator Springs vehicles return for this Pixar sequel that takes the four-wheeled friends to international locales to compete against the world's fastest race cars. Despite the five-year gap between the original and the sequel, families will be driving in the fast lane to see another Pixar release.

July

"Monte Carlo"
Release Date: July 1
Target Age: Tweens
What's the Buzz: Mistaken-identity comedies have been popular for centuries, so it's no surprise Hollywood is still making films about characters who pretend to be someone else. Disney star Selena Gomez plays a teen whose dream trip to Paris takes a luxurious turn when she's mistaken for her look-alike, a British heiress with a penchant for five-star jet-setting.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Release Date: July 1
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Even director Michael Bay has admitted "Transformers 2" was sub-par, and he's promised Autobot fans that this "threequel" is more like the original than the critically panned sequel. Megan Fox is no longer Shia LaBeouf's object of affection, but he's got another starlet, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, on hand to help defeat the Decepticons.

"Zookeeper"
Release Date: July 8
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Talking animal movies always draw kids in, and this family comedy about an unsuspecting zookeeper (Kevin James) who discovers his wild charges can speak looks like the kind of silly, slapstick-filled adventure that even younger elementary-schoolers can appreciate.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"
Release Date: July 15
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: Unless you've literally lived off the grid for the past, say, 14 years, chances are you and your brood have seen or read at least one of the Harry Potter series, so you know this final film will be epic -- and full of action and intense moments. Harry, Ron and Hermione have one last shot to defeat You Know Who, and if you want to witness it on screen, you'll probably need to buy tickets ASAP.

"Winnie the Pooh"
Release Date: July 15
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: Honey-loving Winnie and his Hundred Acre Wood friends Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and the gang return to the big screen for an old-fashioned adventure that should be a perfect pick for families. With a G rating and a built-in fan-base of any kid familiar with the classic A.A. Milne stories, even the youngest viewers will want to see what Pooh and pals are up to.

"Captain America: The First Avenger"
Release Date: July 22
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: One of America's most beloved superheroes gets a reboot for a new generation of fans, so this big-budget adaptation should have pretty universal appeal. Although some kids may not be as keen to see a "period" adventure set in the '40s, they may be more enticed since Captain America (and Thor) will be in 2012's "The Avengers."

"Cowboys & Aliens"
Release Date: July 29
Target Age: Tweens and Teens
What's the Buzz: What could be more appealing than this Wild West-meets-sci-fi adventure, starring James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)? This is already one of the most buzzed about releases of the year, and it's just the sort of action-driven popcorn flick that fathers and sons will enjoy.

"The Smurfs"
Release Date: July 29
Target Age: Young Kids
What's the Buzz: For parents of a certain age, The Smurfs were little blue friends who accompanied the Saturday mornings of childhood. The children of those parents are now the target audience for this computer-generated 3-D adventure starring Hank Azaria as Gargamel, comedian Jonathan Winters as the voice of Papa Smurf and pop star Katy Perry as Smurfette.

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
Release Date: Aug. 5
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: This violent-looking prequel to the "Planet of the Apes" series isn't going to be uplifting -- we know the apes will get the upper hand even before the first test subject is given that fateful intelligence-boosting pill -- but that won't stop droves of teens from wanting to see James Franco and Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) try to fend them off.

August

"The Help"
Release Date: Aug. 12
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: Based on Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel about the complicated personal and social interactions between white Southern women and their African-American nannies and maids, this 1960s-set dramedy starring Emma Stone and Viola Davis is likely to appeal most to teen girls and their mothers, especially if they've read the book.

"Conan the Barbarian"
Release Date: Aug. 19
Target Age: Teens
What's the Buzz: The original, R-rated "Conan" launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's career, and this PG-13 adaptation could do the same for Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa. But the trailer's violence and scantily clad women make it more of an older-teen pick.

"Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World"
Release Date: Aug. 19
Target Age: Tweens
What's the Buzz: Director Robert Rodriguez is resurrecting his super-sleuth franchise with Jessica Alba as an undercover spy whose twin tween stepchildren are the new Spy Kids. But fans of the original shouldn't despair: The twins receive gadgets and guidance from older super sleuths Carmen and Juni Cortez and their parents.

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]]>cars 2Cowboys and Aliensharry potterjudy moodykung fu panda 2moviesspy kidsSummer Movie Previewsummer moviessuper 8the helpthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 31 May 2011 10:30:00 ESTWorst TV Role Models: Is Snooki Teaching Your Kids?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/worst-tv-role-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/worst-tv-role-models/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/27/worst-tv-role-models/#commentsFiled under: ,

10 Worst TV Role Models

Tony, from "Skins," sleeps with every hot girl in sight. Credit: AP

What Are Kids Learning from TV Characters?

When it comes to sex, violence, drinking, bullying and other sensitive topics, you want messages about right and wrong to come from you -- not, say, Snooki from "Jersey Shore."

But, surprisingly, Snooki might be more of an ally than you think. Talking about TV characters and their choices can be a great way to start conversations with your kids about their own behavior. We encourage you to get familiar with the characters kids are watching -- whether you love or hate them -- and sneak in a little parental direction between Snooki's visits to the bar.

1. Snooki, "Jersey Shore"
Why she's bad: Not only is she not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but she drinks constantly and to excess. And while her drinking sometimes gets her arrested or leads to iffy sexual behavior, she gets lots of attention (and a big paycheck) for her antics.
Why it matters: Kids who watch shows with alcohol use are more likely to try drinking than those who don't.
What you can do: Use these moments to talk to your teens about drinking and whether they think the depictions on television are realistic. Take time to share your opinions -- and expectations -- about drinking. Be a good role model by not abusing alcohol in front of your kids.

2. Tony (James Newman), "Skins"
Why he's bad: He sleeps with every hot girl in sight, all the while stringing along his girlfriend and trying to get his friends to follow in his sleazy footsteps.
Why it matters: Adolescents who watch a lot of TV with sexual content are twice as likely to get pregnant or impregnate someone as kids who watch fewer of these shows.
What you can do: Watching shows that include the negative consequences of sex has been shown to be educational for teens. Talk about preventing unintended consequences such as sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, respecting the opposite sex and not taking decisions -- like having sex -- lightly.

3. Kim Kardashian, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians"
Why she's bad: Her fame is based on ... not much. Aside from having a bodacious body and a knack for self-promotion, Kim and her sisters are the ultimate celebrity role models with nothing worth copying.
Why it matters: By middle school, kids are looking to their peers for a sense of what's socially acceptable or desirable. And celebrities, with their 24/7 presence in the media, become a gigantic super peer, whether you like it or not.
What you can do: Use celebrity news as a pathway to media literacy. Talk about how these stars make their money. Is it from making positive choices and living mild-mannered lifestyles? No. It's from getting attention for their misbehavior, their love lives, and, especially in the Kardashians' case, their physical appearance. Also, point out that stars like Kim K. get paid to promote products through Twitter, etc.

4. Goku and Gohan, "Dragon Ball Z Kai"
Why they're bad: While the father and son team from this hugely popular anime series do put forward messages about loyalty and good triumphing over evil, they solve their problems with violence -- including hand-to-hand combat, superhuman powers and guns. And their shows are marketed toward kids as young as 7, who are just learning to distinguish reality from fantasy.
Why it matters: Exposure to lots of media violence can increase antisocial activity and bullying and decrease empathy for victims of violence.
What you can do: Limit violent imagery in movies, television and games, especially for younger kids. Explain the consequences of violent behavior, and teach conflict resolution so kids have a vocabulary to use when disputes arise.

5. Tyra Banks, "America's Next Top Model"
Why she's bad:Though she talks a good game about appreciating different body types and encouraging positive behavior among her young recruits, she continues to reinforce ultra-thin physical standards and showcase backstabbing behavior on her show.
Why it matters: Girls are bombarded with messages about their appearance that reinforce unrealistic standards of thinness and beauty. Studies have shown that these messages have damaging effects on girls' self-esteem and can contribute to eating disorders and other extreme weight loss measures.
What you can do: Place less emphasis on how your teen looks than on what she can do. Show that you value her intelligence, creativity and other traits that have nothing to do with looks. And expose the myths behind the supposed perfection of models and celebrities -- use "Top Model" as a jumping-off point to talk about how photos can be digitally altered to make women appear thinner or remove blemishes; talk about how stylists, make-up artists, lighting and other special effects create the illusion of perfection.

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]]>10 Worst TV Role Modelsjersey shorekim kardashianskinssnookityra banksthe editors at Common Sense MediaFri, 27 May 2011 17:00:00 ESTHow to Protect Kids From Online Trackinghttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/24/protect-kids-from-online-tracking/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/24/protect-kids-from-online-tracking/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/24/protect-kids-from-online-tracking/#commentsFiled under:

Online Tracking

Tracking and profiling kids online -- and selling their information to advertisers and data brokers -- has quickly become widespread. Credit: Getty Images

Digital life has lots of benefits -- online tracking isn't one of them.

Our online digital world lets kids connect with family and friends and consume, create and share enormous amounts of content. It also lets companies track kids and collect their personal information.

Online tracking of kids is growing.
Tracking and profiling kids online -- and selling their information to advertisers and data brokers -- has quickly become widespread. The Wall Street Journal recently found that the top 50 websites for kids and teens installed 4,123 cookies and other tracking tools on a test computer -- 30 percent more than were installed by the top 50 general sites.

It's time to take action to protect kids' privacy.
We need a "Do Not Track Kids" law. Policymakers must take action to protect kids' and teens' online privacy. Kids' online behavior shouldn't be tracked, and companies shouldn't be allowed to sell or transfer kids' personal information.

For more information, read "Protecting Our Kids' Privacy in a Digital World," a Common Sense Media white paper.

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]]>health and safetyinternet safetyOnline Trackingthe editors at Common Sense MediaTue, 24 May 2011 13:30:00 ESTAnonymous Assaults: One Family's Battle With Tween Social Networking Site Formspringhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/23/formspring-cyber-bullying/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/23/formspring-cyber-bullying/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/23/formspring-cyber-bullying/#commentsFiled under: , ,

formspring

Formspring is a comment-and-reply social networking site that lets kids post their deepest, darkest opinions completely anonymously. Credit: MTC

What's one of the most important things to a typical tween or teen girl? Her friends, of course. And, when it comes to her social circle, what do many girls care about more than anything? What their friends think of them. Enter Formspring, a comment-and-reply social networking site that lets kids post their deepest, darkest opinions completely anonymously.

Formspring was a running four-month-long nightmare for my daughter, her friends and her extended school community -- and we still battle my daughter's "need" to know what her friends post on the site. The kids were all being incredibly vicious to each other, as well as asking really creepy questions. What made it all creepier is that the questions could have been asked by the boy they sit next to in History ... or by a 40-year-old man, since anyone can access Formspring.

My daughter was so addicted that she kept reactivating her account behind our backs, even though the consequences were severe each time -- one week of no phone and no computer access. She kept saying "I HAVE to know what people think of me!" That's Formspring's greatest danger: It preys on the No. 1 concern of many girls.

Cruel Comments

The site describes itself as "helping people find out more about each other through sharing interesting & personal responses." But, in simple terms, Formspring is the present-day version of the bathroom stall on steroids, enabling the cruelest form of bullying with the greatest of ease. The comments and questions are typically nasty and humiliating.

Here are some Formspring posts recently copied from my daughter's friends' pages (multiple profanities omitted):

ur fat

ur stomach hangs ovr ur pants

Your face looks like a turtle

Your friend Anne is going around telling everyone ur fake and bitchy

You should just go die

And, in addition to the personal attacks, comments are frequently sexual in nature:

I want to bang you so hard

Name all the slutty things you've done

Signing Off -- And Staying Off

To an emerging teenager with a developing sense of self, a girl to whom popularity is paramount, reading posts on Formspring can become an obsession. We've chosen to forbid my daughter from using it, and she understands why. But we've discovered that it's really hard to get your kids off it once they start.

One circle of friends is no longer using it, in large part because the parents got involved in policing it. But other friends are as active as ever, which makes it hard for her to stay away.

Spread the Word

Fortunately, Formspring is coming to the attention of parents, schools and industry experts. Renowned girl expert and best-selling author Rachel Simmons, who has written a must-read post called "What Every Parent Should Know About Formspring," has likened parental consent for Formspring to allowing your child to play chicken with an oncoming train.

We continue to work with our daughter and her friends' parents to help avoid the problems associated with Formspring. Here are some key lessons we've learned the hard way. Hope they work for your family, too.

Keep checking. It's nearly impossible to disable Formspring. Even after being "disabled," an account leaps back to life in full form with one click; once you've created a profile, you're met each visit with a question asking whether you'd like to reactivate your profile. Disabling and enabling an account is essentially the same as logging off and back on. The only way to truly erase an account is to send a ticket stating that you have been bullied or harassed. It's buried in the Help section. But, obviously, your child can just open a new account.

Talk to other parents. If you find out your kid has been on Formspring, look through her list of connections for kids you know. Consider reaching out to their parents to educate them about Formspring. If they knew what it was, they likely wouldn't want their child on it.

Make other aware of the site's dangers. Launched in late 2009, Formspring already has more than 20 million accounts and 3.5 million unique visitors every day. The company recently received $11.5 million in funding. It's not going away. Yet, it's so new that many adults aren't even aware of it. Help spread the word to educators, administrators, coaches, clergy and other adults working with teens.

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]]>bullyingcyber-bullyingformspringthe editors at Common Sense MediaMon, 23 May 2011 12:30:00 EST