Please listen to this awesome interview with Ken Shallcross Today’s CHWR Guest!

Ken joined Dave and Bill live today to talk about the brand new updates for PC Pandora 7.0

Ken also shared some ideas and some suggestions for parents to be on the lookout while kids are surfing during the holidays. Get more info on PC Pandora 7.0 computer monitoring software.

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch® Blog

[One Of The Best Parenting Security Tools... Ever!]

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 350 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

As a call specialist on the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) hotline going to work can be exciting yet demanding. Calls continuously come in from around the country with requests for information, referrals, and sometimes from victims currently in crisis. Below is a single hour in the life of a NHTRC Call Specialist.

2:01 p.m. My extension rings and I answer with our standard greeting: “National Human Trafficking Resource Center, how can I help you?” A young voice explains that she is a student, working on a paper about sex trafficking. I direct her to our website and highlight the multiple resources available.

2:05 p.m. After hanging up I log the call in Salesforce, our database that we use to record information from every call we receive to collect data and track trends. Read more

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch® Blog

[Think IT Won't Happen To You? Human Trafficking!]

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 350 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

Today CHWR welcomed Vicki Abadesco to talk about the out of control (behavior) problems in schools today and Creating a Bully-Free World for our children to grow up in…

He is my story and my “ah ha” moment all rolled into one!! When I opened the show today I talked about… some type National Program for CyberBullying and hopefully it is on the horizon, and I was kind of on my soapbox for a few moments, then we brought her onto the show and she did a fantastic interview!

But half way through I realized that Vicki and her team did have one of the best grass-roots program and systems I’ve ever heard of or seen already in place and it’s phenomenal… wait until you hear the complete show you’ll know what I know, NOW!!! That is, maybe Vicki might have been snickering little bit about a CyberBullying National Program! Because they already have it!!!

We all just need to support and spread their message here at home in the good ole’ USA and especially globally, and more importantley to all our friends and families… so, that’s what Dave and I plan on doing, just that!

They’re on a mission to create a bully-free world by supporting schools to be safe, happy and loving environments for all. We provide interactive programs for students, administrators, staff and parents that teach the essential tools needed to create a thriving learning environment.

This year, Soul Shoppe is launching a very special “We Love Teachers!” campaign that includes workshops and services specifically designed to take care of our hard-working teachers. Be on the look out for upcoming workshops and offerings.

Please listen below:

Soul Shoppe supports school communities by providing interactive programs and tools that teach students powerful learning and life skills.

In addition to working with students, we also support staff by creating and facilitating dynamic staff development trainings that give teachers the necessary tools to implement academic and personal growth.

School Assemblies
Whether you have Soul Shoppe for one assembly, a series of assemblies or assemblies as part of a year round program, they will make a difference on your school campus!

Student Peacemaker Program
30 students are chosen to be the campus peacemakers for the school year. Peacemakers receive a thorough 4-part training that includes communication and leadership skills.

Elementary Peace Program
For a comprehensive year round program that reaches and teaches students on every level, check out EPP – the Elementary Peace Program. This is where you will find more information about Staff In-services and Parent Trainings.

Workshop Days
Soul Shoppe workshops are designed to reach groups of 30-125. These workshops are delivered by grade level as they are modified for specific groups. These workshops allow for more interaction and personal connection with students, which creates more understanding and personal accountability.

A New CyberBullying National Program… CHWR Interviewed A Very Special Soul Today!! To see what I am talking about listen to the interview above and/or you can find out more info at the soulshoppe.com or just click the banner above…

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch® Blog

[Think IT Won't Happen To You? CyberBullying!]

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to almost 400 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

The CHWR team welcomes to the show Sedgrid Lewis, Cyberbully App… Bully Block Top 6 Smartphone Security App for Children…

The controversy over smartphones for children continues to escalate. Some argue that it may be actually educational for the children, while others maintain that it’s simply a useless distraction. However, children are gaining more and more exposure to smartphone technology.

PLEASE listen to this awesome interview:

A survey conducted by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center and detailed in The Wall Street Journal reports that most parents “allowed their kids to use a smartphone at least occasionally.” Moreover, “About two-thirds of the children said they have used an iPhone before, and almost two thirds said it was “easy” or “very easy” to use.”

In a study done in February 2010 by the Cyberbullying Research Center, over 4000 students were randomly surveyed ages 10-18 from 37 different schools.

Many stats from this study stood out to me (you can read the entire article by True Care Awareness Online here), but the most significant one in my opinion is the fact that 20% of the students have been cyber-bullied in their lifetimes. Astoundingly, 17% of them have been cyber-bullied within the last 30 days!

As a high school counselor at my day job I have seen firsthand the prevalence and impact cell phones have in schools. Rumors, threats, harassment, and teasing are all very common in the school setting via cell phone; students no longer have to physically be present to harass someone.

Find more info here: http://cyberbullyapp.com/

Thanks to Sedgrid for his time today and his awesome product, plus the great service that his company provides!!! Make the investment only $1.99 for the download, to protect you kids daily, that is a half cup of Starbucks coffee…

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch® Blog

[Think IT Won't Happen To You? CYBERBULLYING!]

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 350 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

Teaching your kids about online safety may seem like an extremely daunting task, but it’s really not. It just requires that you actually take on the role of a parent in your child’s life and make some rules clear.

Here’s what you need to know:

Keep Lines of Communication Open

The single best way to teach your kids about online safety is the same piece of advice that child rearing experts have been giving parents for nearly a century now: talk to your kids. Too often, we’re afraid to talk to our kids about touchy subjects such as sex, drugs and bullying and so we leave it to them to find out the rules for themselves. However, if you simply keep the lines of communication open, you’ll find that teaching them to protect themselves is easier.

Encourage Kids to Tell You about Things that Bother Them

The other side of this equation is that you need to listen to what your kids are saying. If they tell you that something is bothering them about something they saw online, don’t dismiss it just because you think it’s not important. Tell your kids that their thoughts are important and that you genuinely want to know what they think. Don’t be a bully about it either – help your kids talk it out rather than simply making a definitive choice without letting them be heard.

But Do Be a Parent

At the same time however, you need to remember that you are the adult here. This means that there may be times when, in spite of having tried to talk to your kids about it, they are insistent that something they saw isn’t a problem. In this case, you need to be the adult and make a judgment call about what you’ll allow them to do online.

Speaking of that – Set Clear Rules

Speaking of being a parent, another thing you can do to teach your kids about online safety is to set up clear rules for them. Give them enough trust to let them explore online, but make the rules clear – the porn sites are obviously off limits, but what about sites which review video games? Are those okay? You need to make a judgement call.

Similarly, you need to make a rule regarding sites that they are allowed to visit. For example, if someone tries to friend them on Facebook whom they don’t recognize, they should decline. If someone is bullying them, they need to tell you about it and of course, their own bullying of someone else online will not be tolerated.

In Person Meetings Are a No No without You Vetting Them

Another good way to encourage your kids to be serious about online safety is to make a rule that if they do meet someone in a chat room or on Facebook, they may not meet them in person without your having vetted them first. This means that you talk to the other child’s parents and determine that you are comfortable letting your child go to meet this person. This is also probably the best way to deter online predators – they will pretty much never agree to talk to you about meeting your child since they tend to try to get kids who are alone and vulnerable.

First Names Only (and No Year in Birthdays)

Another practical thing that you can do to help teach your kids about online safety is to encourage them to use a nickname or a first name only online, especially in chat rooms or areas where they can’t vet who sees their information. It’s also helpful to have them set Facebook to display only their birthday without the year being listed. This will help prevent predators from finding them based on their age.

Educate Yourself about Privacy Settings

Virtually all online sites which collect personal information include privacy settings. This encompasses more than just Facebook or Twitter. MMPORGs (Massively MultiPlayer Online Role Playing Games) also collect personal information and need to be vetted. It’s also important to be aware of your child’s use of these sites as they will interact with people of all ages while playing such games.

Check Your Child’s Photographs

On Facebook, tell your child not to post revealing photographs which could show their address or location. It also goes without saying that photographs which are suggestive (i.e. in their underwear, etc.) should NOT be posted online. It’s also helpful to suggest to your child that they remove auto tagging of their pictures with face recognition.

Be Sure to Remind Children Not to Share Personal Thoughts with Strangers

It’s important as well for your child not to express extreme vulnerabilities to the world at large. They should restrict such thoughts only to their friends and then only to friends they trust. Many children use Facebook and other such sites as a kind of diary to post their innermost thoughts and as such, it’s important to help them monitor this so that predators can’t try to take advantage of them. Google+ is excellent for this since it allows you to post information which will only be available to a specific group of your friends rather than to everyone you have ever friended through the site.

Cyberbullying

While this article focuses mostly on protecting your child’s privacy online, it’s also important to worry about cyberbullying. This means that you need to concern yourself as to what others are saying about your child and what your child is saying about others. Talk to your kids and explain why this is wrong and malicious. Ask them to tell you if they feel threatened and take it seriously. If need be, talk to school principals and teachers about cyberbullying.

Remember that children are vulnerable and won’t necessarily have the thick skin needed to “tough it out” when they see vicious things written about them online. While you obviously cannot control what others do, you can at the very least be aware and help your child deal with it, if they are being cyberbullied.

Encourage Kids to Think for Themselves

Finally, encourage your kids to think for themselves about how they can protect themselves online. Have a frank discussion with the kids about online safety and ask them what they think they should do. Often, your kids will surprise you with creative ideas that you never thought of.

Frank Anderson is a parent and blogger.  He writes about technology and family issues.  When not writing he maintains exchange hosting servers.

We would like to thank our guest writers on The CHW Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in our CyberHood, we all live in…
help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch® Partners

Dave Ballard & Bill Wardell

Radio Security Journalists

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch®

Go to The CyberHood Watch on iTunes to listen to over 350 world-wide professionals & experts helping parents everywhere, by Keeping Our Children Safe online, click below to learn how-to protect yourself!!!

Many kids have their own laptops, and/or computers, most of their parents don’t exactly know what they are doing, saying, talking to, and if they are safe or not.

I have my own laptop that my school has provided for my homework, and personal use. Some of the things they do not allow on it include: E-Mail (other than the they provided for us), Most games, Facebook, and things like MySpace.

I would agree on most of the things other than E-Mail and some of the games, and my reason for that is, now a days most kids have their own E-Mail and Facebook accounts.

Some of the reasons I would think kids under the age of 13 should not have a Facebook account is: Online Predators, harassment, and things that include, hurting and luring them into something they would have never thought they would do or even say.

A few months back, my friend/Classmate had gotten a Facebook account and had had it hacked. The person who had hacked it was unknown and was posting things that should not have been posted, on his and his Friends’ pages. The person who hacked it had just said some rude and un-kind things. I would think that my friend would have gotten away from Facebook but he just made a new account, and luckily this one wasn’t hacked.

Although, not all kids have a Facebook, they either have an E-Mail, or social networking page, or something that involves chatting, IMing, or e-mailing. I myself have an e-mail, although I do get Spam most of the time. Spam is another thing us kids get involved in. Sometimes us kids Click on the spam and see things we really did not want to see. I have dealt with this myself, thinking it’s something cool, but it ends up to not be as fun as we thought.

Being a Cyber-Kid, isn’t just about being “Safe”, we have to use that “Saftey Smarts“. And when I say that I mean, like actually looking and wondering what the kids are doing socially on the internet.

Being under 13, and having multiple social media and networking sites, is maybe not the best idea. Even having one can be a nightmare. So my advice for ALL Cyber-Kids is to listen to your parents and follow the rules of your Home! Your parents love you and they are just helping you to be safe online, so you don’t get into trouble that could change your life forever!!

Keeping Us Cyber Kids Safe Online…

~LilyAnn

Author and Freelance Writer

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch® Blog

Imagine being in charge of policing the Internet and making sure everyone is afforded the right to live a secure and protected digital life. Well, the Department of Justice (DOJ) IT Strategic Plan for 2010 is charged with that task.

However, in the following diagram I wonder if only one per cent of the budget being allocated to regulatory activities is adequate…just an observation, what do you think?

On the other hand, some of the laws passed may be to quick, and overlook children are just that, children. For example, I know many of my colleagues applauded legislation against “sexting”. Unfortunately, in some cases the punishment did not fit the crime, and children became labeled as sexual offenders for life, missing the point that we are dealing with immature adolescent kids, not predators or pedophiles.

Legislation involving kids  is not a one size fits all and especially with the rapid growth in technology, and the fact that this technology is literally in the hands of kids. Unless parents accept the responsibility to assure his or her child’s has received some instructions for proper online etiquette, maybe there should be legislation that requires children to pass a course in best practices before permission to access the Internet is given. Maybe that idea is more theoretical, but the point is valid…Be prepared for the Internet.

Do You Think One Percent Is Enough?

Last week I was thinking about one of our first and favorite guests on CHWR and how much she had grown over the past three years. We are so proud and happy for Vanessa, her success, and her continued support, work and dedication to the youth and their relationship with mom and dad. Vanessa has created a wonderful system that she calls Radical Parenting… here is last weeks CHW post about Vanessa.

Back to great cyber minds thinking alike I blogged about her website and all the great things she had accomplished and lo and behold I checked my email and she had sent me a personal note about her new book, and asked if I would share this with our audience and help spread this wonderful message! So, my answer was a 100% yes. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn what your teens are really thinking and going through in this new digital age!

Click cover to get your copy:

Anyone especially parents of teenagers, should get a copy of this wonderful book!! See what others are saying; A Parenting Book… written by Kids! By Vanessa Van Petten, creator of RadicalParenting.com and author of the parenting book, “Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I’m Grounded?”
(www.radicalparenting.com/books-and-products/book-youre-grounded/)

When I was 16 I thought it was my Dad’s goal in life to make me miserable. I was convinced that he had a running list of all the ways he could embarrass me in front of my friends, trick me into doing more chores or make my curfew earlier.

Our relationship would have continued to devolve until one day I saw my Dad reading a parenting book. I flipped through it while my Dad was in the bathroom and realized a lot of the things he did that drove me crazy he was getting right out of this book! I looked at the other parenting books on our shelves and realized that they were all written by adults. I wondered—has anyone ever asked teens to write to their parents?

I decided to build a website where teens could answer questions and write to parents called RadicalParenting.com. I couldn’t believe how quickly it grew and how happy both teens were to get their voices out and parents were to have a new outlet for connecting with their kids! We now have over 120 teen writers who give advice.

Teenagers, when given a neutral space LOVE talking to parents and often offer some of the best insight because they are going through it themselves. We have also be so excited to help parents who feel like they cannot reach their kids and teens.

I think teens and parents can work together to overcome their differences and learn to work best together. We have just come out with our book: Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I’m Grounded and it is a radical approach to parenting because it is written from the kid’s perspective! We would love for you to check it out—if you are brave enough to see what kids have to say!

Here is what Publisher’s Weekly had to say:

“Van Petten, founder of the popular Web site RadicalParenting.com, offers parents a candid view of the contemporary teen’s world in this eye-opening text. Van Petten uses actual stories about teens and their often anxious, angry, or befuddled parents to introduce each chapter. Pointing out that she is neither a parent nor a teen (nor a doctor, therapist, or counselor), the college-grad author has nevertheless earnestly investigated her subject and includes current research on teens as well as hundreds of “real quotes, interviews, e-mails and advice from actual teens.” Van Petten explores a variety of timely subjects, including peer relationships, teen/parent communication, bullying, technology, and “risky business” (smoking, drinking, sex, and more). Her outlook on technology and “Internet savvy” is particularly incisive, emphasizing not only the hazards of “time-suck” activities (i.e., Facebook, chatting on IM, and texting) but also the many social and academic benefits of the digital universe. Like a crafty spy, Van Petten comfortably segues from parent to teen perspective, and while noting that each adolescent is unique, she skillfully opens doors to the collective teen psyche. “
–Publishers Weekly

Vanessa Van Petten is one of the nation’s youngest experts, or ‘youthologists’ on parenting and adolescents. She now runs her popular parenting website, RadicalParenting.com, which she writes with 120 other teenage writers to answer questions from parents and adults. Her approach has been featured by CNN, Fox News, and Wall Street Journal. She was also on the Real Housewives of Orange County helping the housewives with troubled teens. Her next book, “Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I’m Grounded?” is being released in September 2011 with Plume Books of Penguin USA.
(www.radicalparenting.com/books-and-products/book-youre-grounded/)

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch®

Yes, today is Friday and that means it’s a another casual day in The ‘HOOD’ getting ready for a safe weekend with my family… which is hard to do with 3 kids under the age of 11 and you guessed it, we have our hands full…

SO, When I opened my email and received information for this article, I was very grateful that it was brought to my attention by a good friend of mine Gurumantra, he says;   “Hi Bill, Read this article in the Wall Street Journal and thought it might be up your alley for Online Security Authority.  Maybe there’s an interview or a product to review for you.”

My friend Gurumantra Khalsa was right, this is information everyone should be aware of and apply, especially parents when it comes to their own children’s privacy and keeping them safe!!

Please do your due-diligence and research, then you can make an informed decision for what is right for your family!

Parents fret all the time about protecting their kids on Facebook, but many of the products and services I’ve seen that aim to help are intrusive, and inject the parents into the child’s normal, healthy online social life in a way that’s awkward for both. Read more

If you have a few minutes, I hope you read this full article and take the steps necessary to use the right tools to protect your family…

Also, I would personally appreciate it if you would visit Gurumantra’s site: About Nutrition News. Your families health should and can be improved

I believe he is one of those true giants in his field, and legend in the Nutrition industry! He truly cares about you and your health, and is willing to share his lifetime of experiences, wisdom and knowledge, so please take full advantage of what they has to offer at their wonderful  Nutrition News Network!

And… Just like my good friend, who is never casual when it comes to teaching nutrition, The CHW Partners are never casual about protecting your family in the CyberHood!! and share this post with family and friends here:

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch

I waited until I could watch with my (3) kids to give my overall opinion and review of this special movie!! with extra special pre-teen insight & input LOL when I got the questions answered which were many I realized that my kids had understood how hurtful CyberBullying really is for the victims…

For younger kids it is a little difficult to explain some of the plot, but for the most part it was a very well acted and right on when it comes the Crime of CyberBullying!!

Plot: The film follows Taylor Hillridge (Emily Osment), a teenage girl who receives a computer for her birthday from her mom (Kelly Rowan). Taylor is excited by the independence of going online without her mother always watching her. However, Taylor soon finds herself the victim of cyber-bullying while visiting a social website. She becomes afraid to face her friends, including her best friend Samantha (Kay Panabaker), and is pushed to a breaking point. Taylor’s mom learns from the incident and takes on the school system and state legislation to prevent others from going through the same problem as her daughter.

Praise and highlights for the ABC Family movie: Cyberbully

Selena Gomez Tweets ‘Cyberbully’ Praise to Emily Osment

Support Delete Digital Drama with Twibbon!

Make a difference now by putting a Twibbon on your Facebook or your Twitter. Don’t forget to tell all your friends and be sure to catch a special encore airing of Cyberbully this Wednesday at 9/8c!

Emily Osment’s new flick, Cyberbully, is more than just an ABC Family movie. It’s actually the highlight of a new initiative called Delete Digital Drama from ABC Family and Seventeen mag.

Launching this summer, Seventeen will feature a multi-page story in the August issue of the magazine, which will include stories from readers and ABC Family talent about their own experiences with bullying.

In addition to the movie, Emily, 19, will also appear in a new PSA which will direct viewers to StompoutBullying.org, providing a direct resource for viewers and readers to reach out for help, if necessary. Read more

CHW Partners Recommendations for parents and teens: CHW Resources

Movie’s Main Recommendations for parents and teens: Stomp Out Bullying

I RECOMMEND Everyone (parent) watch this movie with their children… and take the time after to listen to all the questions and responses to the consequences and attitudes the kids experience through out the movie… It was very well acted and portrayed the Cyberbully actions extremely well!!!

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2011 CyberHood Watch