Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

CyberSafety Tips and Digital Abuse Resources

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This week I am dedicating my posts to the topic of cybersafety.  This is the third post in the series.  

For the second year in a row, I was inspired by attending the Wired Safety Summit.  It was a reminder that what I do here is important and that there’s a reason for what may appear like digital paranoia.


Cybersafety Tips from WiredSafety Summit

  • Impulse is the main reason multimedia messages are sent.  Companies need to confirm the user’s desire to send in order to give them a moment to think.  That second moment allows the person to change their mind and not send it.
  • “The best software to protect your kid online is the dining room table,” urged founder Parry Aftab. “Get your computers in a central location.  Cell phones, game devices too”
  • Be digital literate and able to distinguish the difference between the types of things online that are good and real. 

Have you helped draw the line between digital use and abuse?


Cybersafety and Digital Abuse Resources


Distinguishing between the types of things online that are good and real can be tricky especially when there can be a fine line between the two.  The first step is to become savvy about topics relating to cybersafety and digital abuse. 
 
Here are some resources I learned about at this year’s Wired Safety Summit that can help:
 

Puzzled about how to approach your child about digital abuse? 

No one knows how to reach tweens and teens better than MTV.  MTV’s A Thin Line helps educate without being preachy and provides parents with tools for starting conversations on digital abuse, gauging your child’s awareness, and also encourages action.  Start with Get the Facts to brush up on current topics and have your kid figure out how savvy they are about what does and doesn’t constitute digital abuse by taking a short quiz and teaching them how to defend their digital domain.

 

In need of age appropriate resources to educate your child about cyberbullying? 

StopCyberbullying.org is a well-designed site with informational resources for kids, tweens, and teens.  Learn about different kinds of cyberbullies, how to tell the difference between flaming, cyberbullying, harassament, and cyberstalking, and how to respond when cyberbullying is affecting your child.  I especially love the printable Goldilocks and the CyberParents story as a read aloud for early elementary ages!

 

Want to teach your daughter to become more digital literate? 

The Girl Scouts know that this generation knows more about the internet than their parents and created the LMK Life Online site to help empower girls when they are online so they will educate others and help adults understand topics like cyberbullying, mobile devices, privacy, social networking, and online sexual predators.  Parents can also elect to subscribe to an online newsletter delivered right to your inbox.

 

Looking for an interactive way to teach your kids to combat cyberbullying?

Download the new free Alex Wonder Kids Cyberdetective Agency Game from StopCyberbullying.org meet Alex who works as a cyberdetective out of the school janitor’s closet!

 
Interested in seeing the advocacy work of TeenAngels?  Visit Nina Montgomery’s Don’t Stand By, Stand Up Campaign Facebook page and don’t forget to vote for her to be on the cover of Seventeen Magazine for what she’s done to get the word out.
There are many other fabulous cybersafety resources out there. What are your favorites? Leave yours in the comments!


This is the third part of a 5 part series about online safety inspired by the Wired Safety Summit.  Previously published and upcoming posts include:

I am a WiredMom and was invited to attend the Wired Safety Summit for the second year in a row.  As a volunteer, I use social media to share Wired Safety’s mission due to the importance of their message and efforts. I am not compensated, nor am I required, to share my experiences at Wired Safety Summit but all my opinions are my own.  Images courtesy of WiredSafety.org.

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