GuardingKids.com
This web site supports Dr. Russell Sabella's work on educating children, parents, educators and other stake holders about the responsible use of technology. Included in these pages you will find helpful resources, lesson plans, links, and more.
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Saturday, February 27, 2021
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Supervised experiences on YouTube
YouTube has announced a new, supervised experience for parents who have decided their tweens and teens are ready to explore YouTube. More details here:
https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/supervised-experiences-for-families-on-youtube
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Teaching Internet Safety to Young Kids: Into the Cloud™
Source: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/intothecloud#usingintothecloud
Teaching Internet Safety to Young Kids: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has released season two of Netsmartz’s "Into the Cloud," a series of videos to educate children ages 10 and under about Internet safety. While season one addressed reporting unsafe and inappropriate interactions and content, season two addresses online exploitation, reporting and removing online inappropriate content.
Using Into the Cloud™
Each episode of Into the Cloud™ is between 3-6 minutes long, making them ideal for a variety of environments, from technology class to afterschool and home use.
Each episode has a corresponding discussion guide that can be used in one-on-one and small group settings.
Additionally, classroom activities on the themes of trust, identity, and reputation are available for use with the complete first season.
Keep kids engaged after the episodes with "Cloud Chaos!" the Into the Cloud™ game, available online and in the app store.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Safer Internet Day!
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ConnectSafely is proud to be the official US host of Safer Internet Day, a global event celebrated in more than 100 countries, this year on Tuesday, February 9. Here are a few ways you, your classroom, your home or your organization can join us and people across the globe to send the message that making the internet great for everybody takes everybody. | |||||||||||||||||||
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"The internet starts with I & ends with T"This year, our U.S. theme is “The internet starts with I & ends with T" — asking everyone to think about “What I can do to make the internet better.” And while we can take personal responsibility for our own actions, we can also work together. “Internet ends with T” reminds us that we’re all in this together. That includes families, companies, governments and everyone else. We all have a role to play. Here are a few key ways to celebrate Safer Internet Day in your community or home. See the full list at SID-USA.org. Industry InsightWatch ConnectSafely’s “Industry Insight” video series for a look at what tech companies, policymakers and others are doing to keep people safe on apps and services. The series launches Feb. 8 on Lesson PlansConnectSafely’s Education Director Kerry Gallagher created lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students with activities based on our theme in the following topic areas:
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Family ActivitiesSafer Internet Day is a great opportunity to discuss digital safety and civility with your kids. Some conversation starters:
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Companies & Community OrganizationsSign up to become a Safer Internet Day U.S. partner! Check out our partner kit for ways to participate in Safer Internet Day with your customers and employees. Once you know your company’s plans, email us the details at the link at the bottom of this page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Spread the Word on Social MediaUse the hashtags #SID2021 and #SaferInternetDay and don’t forget to tag @connectsafely. See SID-USA.org for ways to rally your followers and get the word out about Safer Internet Day. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Thank You to Our Supporters | |||||||||||||||||||
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PROOF POINTS: 10,000 student study points to kindergarteners who may become heavy screen users
Researchers at Penn State analyzed 10,000 students and found that kindergarteners in low-income families and Black kindergarteners of all incomes had a higher propensity to be heavy users of technology by the end of elementary school. Hyperactive kindergarteners and those exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as hitting, were also more likely to become frequent users. The study focused on fifth graders who said they were playing online video games, using social media or texting “many times” a day and their characteristics and behavior in kindergarten.
Read more:
https://hechingerreport.org/kindergarteners-who-may-become-heavy-screen-users/
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Tools for Today's Digital Parents
Access this resource: https://www.fosi.org/policy-research/tools-for-todays-digital-parents
Online safety tools exist to ensure children have safe and secure digital experiences. These tools, often referred to as parental controls, serve to assist parents - but are they really being used? And if so, how helpful are they to parents? Our connected world is changing faster than ever, re-shaped by new devices and platforms – what is often dubbed disruptive technology. This goes well beyond the media industry, impacting our daily lives in personal, professional and social spheres. This year, more than ever, we’ve seen the effects of technology on our families.