Net Cetera Chatting with Kids About Being Online

Agenda Part 1: What Do the Students Say? (6:35 to 7:10)  Small group discussions with middle school students Part 2: What Do Parents Need to Know? (7:10 to 7:45)  Students demonstrate practical steps parents can take to stay safe online. Part 3: Take away Tips for Parents: (7:45 to 8:00)  Taking charge of your digital footprint  Practical Steps to Right Take Now

Part 1: Discussion Topics What electronic communication devices do you have in your home: computers, iPads, cell phones, gaming consoles?  Where are the devices located?  When are the devices being used?  Who is using them?  How are they being used?  Are there cameras on the devices?  What rules or expectations do you have for your child using the devices?  Do you have any suggestions for other parents? What are the rules/expectations for online games?  What is your child doing online?  Do you check his or her friends’ list regularly?  How often do you chat with your son or daughter about his or her online activity?

Part 2: What Do Parents Need to Know? Using Facebook at the high school How to set your privacy settings on Facebook and Twitter How students are using YouTube

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Consider Your Digital Footprint: Source: Digital Footprint Schematic

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Consider Your Digital Footprint:

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now

Consider Your Digital Footprint:  Look at your own digital footprint  Work with your child to develop his or her own positive digital footprint

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Tips to Take Away It’s more about talking than technology. Try to stay ahead of the curve

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Where to Start: Start early Initiate conversations Create an honest, open environment Communicate your values – and how they apply online Be patient

Guidance at Different Ages Teens  Independent, with mobile access  Important points: Once it’s posted, you can’t take it back Treat people the way you’d like to be treated Socializing is socializing – online or off Online actions have real-world consequences Tell kids to trust their gut if they’re suspicious Help kids understand what info should stay private

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Cyberbullying Is harassment that happens online Talk to your kids:  Encourage them to tell you if an online message or image makes them feel threatened or hurt  Tell your kids they can’t hide behind what they post

Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now Cyberbullying If your child has a problem with a bully, don’t react to the bully  Encourage your kid to talk with you about what’s up  Save the evidence  Communicate with the school  Block the bully online  Have any bogus profiles taken down Encourage your child to help stop cyberbullying – by not passing on other messages and telling the bully to stop.

Mobile Phones More and more kids go online from their phones Develop cell phone rules: when and where they can use their phones  Set an example by what you do Use their manners on cell phones, too  Treat people the way they’d like to be treated Part 3: Practical Steps To Take Right Now

Think about privacy and safety  Photo- and video-sharing on the go Filters on home computers don’t apply on phones  Talk to kids about using good sense when social networking on their phone Mobile Phones

Important Take Away Points Consider: 1. Privacy settings or parental controls. 2. Talking with your child on an ongoing basis. 3. Setting the rules and expectations. 4. Checking phone & text numbers your child calls. 5. Discussing your child’s ‘friends’ list regularly. 6. Impacting yours and your child’s digital footprint. 7. Staying involved in your child’s online life.