Melinda Gates: I spent my career in technology. I wasn’t prepared for its effect on my kids

When my youngest child was born in 2002, the flip phone was still the coolest piece of tech you could get. Now I’m told that all three of my children are part of what demographers are calling iGen.

I spent my career at Microsoft trying to imagine what technology could do, and still I wasn’t prepared for smartphones and social media. Like many parents with children my kids’ age, I didn’t understand how they would transform the way my kids grew up — and the way I wanted to parent. I’m still trying to catch up.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/08/24/melinda-gates-i-spent-my-career-in-technology-i-wasnt-prepared-for-its-effect-on-my-kids/

This dad created an app that freezes your kids' phones until they answer your texts

Parents of teens know that cell phones can be a great way to keep in touch when their kids are out and about. That is, unless they get distracted and "forget" to respond, which leaves you in a state of panic. Luckily, one dad is here to help.

Nick Herbert created the app ReplyASAP after getting fed up with his son Ben ignoring his texts. The app takes over the phone's screen and sounds an alarm, essentially forcing teens to respond to their worrisome parents if they want to regain access to their phone. The app also notifies parents when their adolescent has seen their message.

Read more:
http://amp.wdsu.com/article/reply-asap-parent-texting-app/12048983

Starting the School Year with Kindness as the Expectation

... but we can set the standard for what each interaction should be: kind, understanding, tolerant, and empathetic, by reading stories that demonstrate that it is indeed possible and POWERFUL to do so.

https://ithappensatourlibrary.com/2017/08/21/starting-the-school-year-with-kindness-as-the-expectation/

Xfinity: Parental Controls

If you are a parent subscribing to Xfinity, learn more here:
https://www.xfinity.com/support/cable-tv/x1-parental-controls-service-locks/

Social Media 101: Snapchat

This is Part 2 of our Social Media 101 videos. In this video we explain how Snapchat works and why it is the most difficult platform for parents to monitor. Hopefully parents will get a better understanding of the dangers associated with the improper use of this social media platform. As with our first video, regarding Facebook, we only covered some of the main features of Snapchat. If you have any helpful tips or experiences with Snapchat please share them with everyone down in the comments.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiPoliceDepartment/videos/1098302166926992/

Also see https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/snapchat

Human Sex Trafficking and Social Media

As part of our Social Media 101 Series we have created this SPECIAL EDITION installment to address a very serious issue affecting our teens. HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING is something many people don't know exists in our communities and/or don't really understand what it is. In today's technologically advanced world, sex traffickers (Pimps) are using SOCIAL MEDIA and the internet to recruit teens as young as 13 into this modern day type of slavery. Please watch this quick video to get a better understanding on how it works and how you can protect your kids.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiPoliceDepartment/videos/1143308165759725/

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

Eighth-graders who spend 10 or more hours a week on social media are 56 percent more likely to say they’re unhappy than those who devote less time to social media.

Read more:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/