The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Your Child's Online Behavior Is a Reflection of Offline Parenting Raising children in a digital society can be challenging. Today kids are exposed to technology and are sometimes given their very own keypads in their first years of life. Generations earlier, the big talk was about the birds and the bees. Maybe parents would discuss this with us only a few times. A handful at the most -- sometimes not even that much in our adolescent years. Sex was (and is) a topic that many parents want to talk about as briefly as possible and then walk away. When it comes to the digital world, there is no walking away. The reality for today’s youth is that their online reputation will someday determine their college admission and very possibly their future employer. Every keystroke, post, and comment counts. Your child's online social skills are as critical as their offline people skills. Where do you begin? In tech terms -- by chatting . The tech talk is not a conve...

June is Internet Safety Month and cyber-parenting is another aspect of parenting that we have to consider when raising teens today. As if parenting wasn't challenging enough, now we have the added fun of technology and the digital world. The Web offers a plethora of fun and educational things for kids to do, plus all the social networking that is huge for tweens and teens. But along with that comes plenty of places for danger. Just as parents need to talk to their kids about safety in the everyday real world, they also must discuss safety precautions related to the Internet, and make sure their kids get it. What can parents do? How do they start the conversation? It is important to cover the dangers – all of them – in age-appropriate language to help kids understand the dangers of giving away information online. Talk, Talk, Talk The most important thing parents can do is talk to their kids, tweens, and teens. Make sure they know the dangers that are prevalent online, ...

Make time to chat offline with your teens about online safety. Did you know that spending 15 minutes a day listening and talking with your child can help build the foundation for a strong relationship? It can also provide support for your child to come to you with a problem, such as bullying or cyberbullying. It's true - we live in a fast paced society.  Most families either have both parents that are working or have a single parent household, so it can be difficult to even find 15 minutes of quiet time (time without interruption of digital devices) to have face-to-face conversations. This is why we often hear experts talk about side-by-side conversations - referring to chatting in the car.  Turn-off all gadgets, including the radio.  Chat on your way to their activities.  Talk to your child about their digital lives as frequently as you would ask how their day at school was.   Read more from my Family Online Safety Institute article .

The Bully. No one is immune to online harassment.  No matter what your age, race or religion – you can quickly fall victim to vicious keystrokes within seconds. According to a Cox Communications Survey, 81 percent of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.  This makes sense since cowards use the easy way of not facing their victims through a screen – whether it is a cellphone or computer. About   58 percent   of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once. 90 percent   of teens who have seen social media bullying say they have ignored it. 84 percent have seen others tell cyberbullies to stop. Only   1 in 10 victims   will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse, this needs to turn around.  When a child holds this emotional pain inside of them, it can come out in many different negative ways such as sadne...

As a parent, you know that school supplies today include more than notebooks and pencils. Among the “must-haves” for students are tablets, laptops and smartphones. Now that kids integrate technology into their daily lives, it’s more important than ever for parents to keep tabs on their kids’ activities. These back-to-school technology safety tips compiled by AT&T can help you take the proper steps to make sure their children are using technology safely. 1) Get tech savvy . Talk to your kids about what sites they’re visiting on the Internet and what kind of social media they are participating in. You should even experiment with them yourself. This will give you a better feel in evaluating risks and potential abuses. Friend them or follow them. 2) Check privacy settings on social media, but emphasize there is no privacy. The more private, the less likely inappropriate material will be received by your child, or sent to their circle of acquaintances. B...

With the ever expanding world of technology and the sometime irresponsible world of our teenagers, it is important they learn how to create strong and secure passwords for their cell phones, iPads, computers, social networking etc. There may come a time when they lose their phone or other technology devices; help them secure their privacy and safety.  Or maybe someone picks up their phone or iPad and starts browsing it with unacceptable searches or worse gains access to their social networking page and posts pictures or content that are less than acceptable. School is opening , more teens than ever have cell phones or iPads that are easily transported with them to school.  Help them create strong and secure passwords and this includes their social networking sites. In this day in age it seems like you can’t trust anyone.  It’s sad when you think about it. Every time you log on to a site you have to have a password now.  We all have trouble remembering...

National Cyber Safety Awareness Month ( NCSAM ) is here.  October is a month that is highlighted by encouraging people to get in the know about their cyber and virtual safety .  Especially parents with kids and specifically - teens. Why teens ?  Because they are the ones that will most likely be applying to colleges or looking for employment and if their online resume isn't kept updated and appropriate , chances are good that their won't be accepted or they may not get that job. PEW study shows that about 75% of all Americans are using the Internet. More importantly over 53% of people are Googling each other ! Do you know what Google is saying about you ?  Do you know what it says about your teenager? It is time to " get in the know " and learn to maintain your digital profile. Here are some quick tips to start. Remember, the Internet is today’s information highway and your name has a road sign. 1. Sign up for free services and post ...

Teens love to hang out, whether it is in malls or at their friends, however it is when they are mingling online where serious danger can happen.  Yes, when they are alone with their keyboard and mouse . Here is a great reminder of social web safety tips for teens.  They can never be reminded enough! Think about what you post. Sharing provocative photos or intimate details online, even in private emails, can cause you problems later on. Even people you consider friends can use this info against you, especially if they become ex-friends. Read between the “lines.” It may be fun to check out new people for friendship or romance, but be aware that, while some people are nice, others act nice because they’re trying to get something. Flattering or supportive messages may be more about manipulation than friendship or romance. Don’t talk about sex with strangers. Be cautious when communicating with people you don’t know in person, especially if the conversation st...

Sexting is a word that years ago we would have not heard about. Today teens and tweens are not only familiar with this word, many have suffered the consequences from it. A Thin Line debuted on MTV this month that educates and informs parents, teachers, kids and everyone about the dangers of the digital world. What is Sexting? Sending or forwarding nude, sexually suggestive, or explicit pics on your cell or online. For some people, it's no big deal. But real problems can emerge when the parties involved are under 18, when people get pressured into sexting, and when sexts go viral. - A Thin Line What are the consequences of sending or receiving one? There are many, however the most common are the feelings of humiliation, embarrassment and much worse. The person that is in the photo can potentially suffer from extreme depression and even feelings of suicide. For the person sending them to go viral, there could be potential criminal charges. You could get arrested. Taking, ...

Some people are hooked on the "housewives" series, whether they are in New York, California, New Jersey or Georgia, viewers will tune in to watch these train wrecks (in my opinion). We need parents, whether they are housewives or house husbands, to take as much time tuning into cyber safety and their children. Imagine there was Cyber County USA - who would be watching? Would you be? There are many things in life that we can just squeak by doing , but parenting isn't one of them. Parenting today is more challenging than generations prior. We can talk about Penguin Parenting , the contrast from years ago verses today and there are many similarities, however with the arrival of cyberspace, parenting has become a speeding train that we need to keep up with. SuperMom and SuperDad today are usually both working full-time, and even more children are being raised in a single parent home. This doesn't excuse taking the time to get in touch with your kids both online and...

It is school break, holiday time, and more kids, especially teens, are surfing in cyberspace. The breaking story of the parents in the UK posing as their daughter to catch predator is an example of the dangers that lurk online. Chat rooms are one of the riskiest places our kids can mingle in. It is difficult to monitor all their cyber time, so the best solution is to educate them. First, parents need to be educated. Reminder to parents: Order your FREE booklet on Cyber safety from the FTC today. Here are some Chat Room Safety Tips for Teens: Source: Assembly of Words 1. Never enter into private chats or private chat rooms with people you don't know. Most kids know about stranger danger and are taught not to talk to, or give personal details to strangers in the street. The same rules apply, don't do it with strangers online either. 2. Think before you send a message. Once a message is out there, there is no way to get it back so think before you send the message a...

Cybercrime TV is inviting experts to address 600 policy makers at the International School Safety Convention in Denver, Colorado, April 22-23, 2010, as part of a special session on cyber threats faced by schools, students,teachers, and parents. Washington, DC December 21, 2009 – Cybercrime TV http://www.cybercrime.tv/    is inviting experts to address 600 policy makers at the International School Safety Convention in Denver, Colorado, April 22-23, 2010, as part of a special session on cyber threats faced by schools, students, teachers, and parents. The program chair for the session is Andy Purdy , former U.S. Department of Homeland Security cyber head, and founder of Cybercrime TV . High-definition television highlights of the proceedings will be distributed to media outlets worldwide. Cybercrime TV will also produce with participating speakers print materials and interactive presentations. Purdy expects topics to include cyber security, cyber bullying, sexting, illegal...

Part 1 of a 5 part series for a "virtual make-over" in 2010! As quickly as the holiday's have come upon us, New Year's is literally weeks away. What will your resolution be as a parent? Parenting teens today is extremely challenging. With all the technology, cell phones, i-Phones, i-Pods, and much more, how can parents keep up? As many times as we hear we need to be ten steps ahead of our kids technically, it seems almost impossible. Here is part one of a five part series. As a parent you need to consider this New Year's resolution and take the time to make a difference in your child's life - technically speaking right now. "Time" is the key word, and you never know what you will learn from your child in this process. This is a resolution every parent needs to consider, and honestly can't afford to ignore in today's hi-tech society. Part 1 - Sit down with your child, and especially those with teens, and review each others social ...

Keeping our kids safe in cyberspace has become one of the top priorities for parents. Net Cetera was launched by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) for parents. Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world. Recently YouAreHere: Where Kids Learn to be Smarter Consumers was created for kids as a compliment to Net Cetera in continuing to help you keep your kids safe online. This FTC website teaches your kids about privacy and fraud. The site takes visitors to a virtual mall, where they can play games, watch short animated films, and interact with customers and store owners. As they explore areas of the mall, visitors learn how advertising affects them, how to protect their privacy and avoid identity theft, how to spot and avoid frauds and scams, and how they benefit when businesses compete. For parents and teachers , the site has detailed fact sheets with ideas for related activities. The act...

Skip the holiday presents - give the gift of virtual presence! The who: * Help jump-start your potential college applicant/application. * Out of work? Learn to promote your skills online. * Professional or small business owner? Learn to own and manage your virtual image. The why: •53% of Americans Google each other. Pew Internet & American Life •26% of college admissions officers use search engines to research candidates. University of Massachusetts Center for Market Research •64% of teens say that most teens do things online that they wouldn’t want their parents to know about. anti-drug.com •77% of executive recruiters use search engines to research applicants. CareerBuilder The how: Tip 1: Check out your social networking sites. If there is information or photo’s on there you wouldn’t share with your grandparents, chances are they shouldn’t be on the Internet. Keep it clean! Tip 2: Sign up for personal branding services. This is free. Services such as Naymz , Ziggs , LinkedIn a...

I was thrilled to be part of Columnist Elizabeth Bernstein's articlein the Wall Street Journal - The Dark Side of 'Webtribution' . She also listed my tips to help protect yourself online as well as wrote a fantastic column about what keystrokes can do to lives! Click here to read her article dated 12/01/09.

Does your child, teen or do you venture into “Chat Rooms” online? Chat rooms are among the riskiest places on the Net for children and teens. Most Internet Predators are lingering waiting for their next victim in a variety of chat rooms. Don’t allow it to be your child. As a Parent Advocate , I encourage all parents to take the steps to educate your children about cyber safety with a strong emphasis on chat room safety. October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month , which is a reason for you to set aside time to sit with your kids and discuss what lurks online. Here are some great Chat Room safety tips from Connect Safely to share with your family: Remember that what you say in a chat room or instant messaging session is live -- you can't take it back or delete it later. 1. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want the public to know — this includes your full name, your address, phone number of other personal information. 2. Don't get together with someone you meet in a chat r...

October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month. It is a perfect time to review some great tips for parents, teens, kids, small business owners and everyone. The Internet today is our new information highway. It is important that we are educated on the power of the Internet as well as the pitfalls of it. The World Wide Web has been considered an educational tool, however like with many things in life; there can be a dark side. Take the time to become aware of tips to keep you and your family safe in cyberspace. I will be bringing tips through this month from different sources; all are targeted to helping you be more secure while online. Here is some advice from Nurse Practitioner Schools : Internet Things Your Child Should Never Know Strangers online are okay. Remind them that a stranger on the internet should be treated like a stranger in real life. If ignoring them doesn’t work, they should tell a parent. Check out NetSmartz for more. Posting a picture is okay in certain situatio...

Source: ReputationDefender Blog By Rob Frappier October is the Sixth Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance , the theme of this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month is “Our Shared Responsibility.” “Our Shared Responsibility” is about individuals taking a pro-active stance in protecting their privacy and security online. Rather than relying on the government or industry groups to regulate how you use the Internet, take it upon yourself to protect yourself online. You should also take some time to teach your children about the Internet and the things that they should and shouldn’t do online. For some great advice on how to protect yourself and your family online, check out these “Top Tips” from the National Cyber Security Alliance. Of course, here at ReputationDefender, we think about cyber security 365 days a year, so we have lots of great resources you can check out as well....

October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month . This is a great time to put together a list of great websites and resources to help you become an educated parent as well as helping your kids and teens to surf safely. Over the past few months, I have written articles on Cyber Safety and how you can protect yourself and your family. In August I released my recent book, Google Bomb! The Untold Story of the $11.3M Verdict Changed the Way We Use the Internet , which has received high praises and fantastic reviews. Here is a small sample of some excellent articles, websites and services to help you be an educated parent. An educated parent leads to a safer child/teen online. Isn’t your child worth it? Take the time to learn more. Articles for your review: Internet image: Tips to maintain your virtual profile and resume Do you know what Google is saying about you? What is a Google Bomb? Social Web Tips for Teens Social Web Tips for Parents Parenting Teens and cell phone tips Teen Internet ...