Tech Tips For Parents
Know what kids are doing - You may be surprised.
Did You Know...
Technology is great and powerful tool. But, as we all know, some tools are dangerous. This page serves to provide parents with information about what is out there that could be dangerous to our children.
Apps and websites are constantly changing so check this page out often to see updated information. If you have information to share please let your child's teacher know immediately.
1. Keep it charged
Students are responsible for bringing iPads to school every day fully charged (grades 3-6). In addition to having a designated charging station at home, think about having a portable battery to help keep them connected throughout the day. Especially important with older kids, having an external battery will help them do their work without having to be tethered to a wall. Or, having to deal with running out of power just as they’re in the zone. You may even want to invest in a car charger just incase they realize on the way to school they don’t have much power.
2. Protect the screen
Whether it’s with a case or a separate screen protector, don’t leave the screen exposed. Tiny dirt and dust particles can scratch the screen, making it difficult to use over time. Many people worry about cracking the screen. And while that’s a real concern, the fact is a scratched screen is annoying and may impacts the quality of what you see on the screen.
3. Talk about online safety
I know you’ve had the talk before. But just like having to remind your child to turn off the lights, not slam the car door, or take a shower (yes, every day!), talking to kids about online safety is an ongoing and continuous conversation. Kids may think they know everything about being online, but the fact is that many kids are vulnerable and need to be reminded that sometimes things aren’t as they seem. Making mistakes online in this day and age can have long-term and very serious consequences. Teens and tweens, especially, need to know that you’re ultimately responsible for what they do online.
4. Don’t just talk, take action
As parents, we do a lot of talking. When it comes to online safety for our kids, though, we have to take action. Whether it’s checking their device daily, requiring an approved family member or friend to be friended on their social network, or adding parental controls to their devices, we can talk all we want but action is required. It’s not about not trusting our kids, it’s about not trusting the freaks out there.
5. Trust your gut
Too many times we second guess our gut when it comes to what our kids are doing online. This isn’t the time to worry about if our kids think we’re annoying (we are, we’re parents!), being the cool parent (we are the cool parents!), or respecting their privacy. If you’re not hovering over them 24/7, you’re likely giving your kids the privacy they’ve earned. Earned, that’s right. Privacy is not a right in the Kingdom of Mom and Dad. In Mom and Dad Ville, the right to search and seizure is without limits. In Momtopia, you may have the right to be silent but unreasonable search and seizure is a real possibility. Trust your parenting gut when it comes to the safety of your kids. You may need to tone down how you want to react, but if you get that feeling, don’t over-react, just act.
Fee's Assigned
- First Damaged Device: Cost of $75.00
- Second Damaged Device: Cost of $125.00
- 3rd and Subsequent Device Damage: Actual cost of repair/replacement or $250.00, whichever is greater.
- Intentional Damage: Cost of $469
- Lost/Broken Cord: Cost of $19
- Lost/Broken Brick: Cost of $19
Are Your Kids Hiding Apps?
How to find Hidden Apps and Social Media
Acronyms Every Parent Should Know
Online Kid Cop
Founder Paul Siverman's website provides information to educate parents about necessary steps to keep children safe. His features several articles including Deleting Ghost Apps on iPhones, as well as several videos that focus on safety, privacy settings, and other user controls.http://onlinekidcop.com/
Kik Messenger
Designed for teens 17+
- Social media and instant messenger
- Be aware of online safety and privacy settings
- Free but will charge for premium features
Omegle
Use with caution!
- Randomly chat with strangers anywhere in the world
- Strangers are matched based on interest tags
- Video chat mode
- Dorm chat requires user to provide an .edu email address
Snapchat
Think that pic is gone in 10 seconds? Think again!P
- Recipient can screen shot any snap they receive
- Now that pic is out of the sender's control
Kyms Free
- Looks like a calculator
- Created to encrypt files & passwords
- Used hide photos & video
Whisper
- Social Media
- Encourages posting of pictures
- Tag line is "Express Yourself -Share Secrets"
- Frequent/intense Mature/Suggestive Themes
Musicly
- Create short video clips to music
- Innappropriate language
- Anyone can download videos posted