Posting a Child’s Photo Online – Is it Safe?
This post is in response to a recent story about a Melbourne mother’s frustration at not being able to remove her 18-month-old's image from Instagram after she found out it was being misused. Comments on this story include: "why did she post the pictures with a public account" and "why didn't she set her photos to private". And … Read full article
How To Set Up Facebook and Online Accounts Safely for Your Child
Do you understand the details of how to set up Facebook safely for your child? What cyber safety settings are important? Where do you find them among all the settings options available? How would a potential scammer or predator find your child's details? Join Leonie Smith, the Cyber Safety Lady, in our free webinar on 15th May to learn about safety on Facebook and other online accounts that your child may be using. Read full article
Do You Understand the Risks of Apps on Your Child's Mobile Device?
With increasing numbers of children under 13 years of age receiving iPods, computer tablets, and smart phones for their own use, it’s important for parents to understand the dangers of handing over an Internet-connected mobile device without first enabling the built-in parental controls. Information about apps children are using on mobile devices. Read full article
New Smartphone App to Help Find Missing Children
This information will be of interest to so many parents. We are sharing a media release issued today by Australian Federal Police about a new smartphone application that would assist in locating missing children. Developed with the FBI the Australian Police Child ID application allows families to store photographs and vital information about their children on their mobile phone. In the devastating event that a child goes missing, this information can be immediately provided to authorities. Read full article
Will Our Kids Be Better 'Technology Parents'?
So this morning I saw the headline “Our web-addict kids miss out on meals and sleep”.And I thought, somewhat judgementally - surely their parents can do something about that? And at the same time I acknowledged, from my own personal experience, how hard it is to get teens to stop using a computer and do something else. Read full article
Violence in Video Games - What Parents Need to Know
Although strongly challenged by well-credentialed researchers of the opposing view, a considerable body of research supports the view that children’s and adults’ exposure to violent media, including violent video games, increases the risk of verbal and physical aggression. And a 2012 Report of the Media Violence Commission, highlights the need for parents to be thoughtful about their children’s exposure to violent media. This article includes the risks to children, parenting ideas to minimise harm, and coverage of the contrary view, that the risk of exposure to violent media may be overstated. Read full article
Do Your Children Play on Smartphones in Restaurants?
Late last year, I was sitting in a pizzeria in Balmain having dinner with my then 14-year-old. The restaurant was full with most of the tables taken up with families, not a great surprise on an early Saturday night. However, as I looked around the room, I noticed a pretty astounding thing. Apart from our table, every single child in the restaurant – and I mean every single child – was playing on some smartphone, tablet or games device. And these were children of all ages, from kids in prams and high chairs to older teenagers. Read full article
Don't Put Your Old Television in Your Child's Room
Research results were released this week from the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health indicating that between about 20% and 30% of five year olds in Australia have a television in their bedroom. I was surprised. Although the study was focused on obesity in younger children, it is the figure about televisions in bedrooms that really amazes me...If you were considering putting your old television in your child’s room, here are my 8 reasons for why you should instead donate it to charity: Read full article
Teens Using Technology - Backlit Devices can Impact on Sleep
New research from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, indicates that teenagers who use backlit technology, such as tablet devices, for two hours before bed, may have their sleeping patterns disrupted. At this time of year in Australia, many teens are studying for their final HSC exams and technology usually plays a significant role at this time. Being aware of its possible effects on sleep and melatonin release, may help parents advise their teens on how to ensure they get sufficient sleep. Read full article
Useful Legal Information for Children and Teens Online
Lawstuff Australia, in partnership with the Children's Legal Services of Legal Aid NSW, have developed a series of fact sheets to provide children with information on what types of activities are against the law when using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Information on sexting, copyright infringement, defamation and privacy are included. A great resource for your teens, and hopefully for them to share around on Facebook. Read full article
