Which of the following conversations have you had with your child?

l Online privacy l Illegal Downloading l How my child’s online content can be l What is appropriate to post online shared with others in unwanted ways l How much time he or she is allowed to use media l Using digital media to cheat on schoolwork l Which types or media he or she is allowed to consume l How to think critically about media l Cyber bullying l Appropriate online behavior l Text Messaging l How online people or information l Other may not be trustworthy GAME ON: Promoting Safe and Appropriate Uses of Technology

Barb Micucci – Caley Elementary School Jessica Vicente – Candlebrook Elementary School Agenda l Welcome and introductions! l Areas of discussion l Social Media l Gaming l Apps l Digital Citizenship l Your child’s “Digital Footprint” l Staying safe online l Questions and Comments

What is media?

“Media refers to the messages and images that we consume and create, as well as the technology used to consume and create these messages. This includes TV, movies, video games, books, magazines, the internet, cell phones and more.”

What concerns you most about technology, media and your child?

Social Media

• Facilitates communication between friends

• Easy way to share their lives with family and friends

• Provides an opportunity to explore new interests and try on different identities

• Place to communicate outside of adult supervision

• Increases school engagement and communication

• Place to seek out information

Kids Social Media Sites

Caley Candlebrook l Facebook 8% (3) 0% (0) l Twitter 3% (1) 0% (0) l Instagram 10% (4) 4% (2) l Snapchat 3% (1) 4% (2) l Kik 2% (1) 3% (1) l No access 73% (29) 87% (40) l Other 3% (1) 2% (1) Risks l Contacted by strangers l Oversharing – information, pictures, videos l What you put out there can be viewed by everyone l Kids afraid to tell parents about uncomfortable stuff for fear of having computer privileges taken away l Kids don’t think before they post and may damage their reputation GuardingKids.com – Teresa’s Story and Your Child’s Digital Footprint Social Media Tips l Keep communication open l Tell your child if something feels uncomfortable share it with an adult l Be careful sharing personal information – everyone can see it l Look at your child’s page together online l Use privacy settings l Review your child’s friends list l Encourage balancing of time online to face-to-face time with friends, family, playing sports, etc. Discussion starters l Could you show me your online profile? l Do you use your real name or age when communicating with others online? l What kinds of things do you post on your page? l Would you feel comfortable if I checked your profile? Gaming l Form of entertainment l Uses your imagination l Employ problem solving strategies l Practice social skills through interactions with other gamers l Instills a competitive nature Game Rating System What do you think your kids said about talking to kids they don’t know online?

l Parents reported:

l Caley – 91% (32 parents) l Candlebrook – 89% (41 parents)

l Kids reported:

l Caley – 58% (91 kids out of 158 responses)

l Candlebrook – 58% (72 kids out of 124 responses) Risks l Games may showcase violence l Gaming addiction or perseveration can occur l Playing with kids they don’t know l Online games with communication features open up possibility of inappropriate content l Even though some games may be free, they link to advertisers that promote other products Tips

l Research games’ rating and content on www.esrb.org l Keep gaming consoles in an easy-to-supervise location l Tell your child never to give our personal information while gaming l Teach your child not to respond to anyone who is being rude or bullying while playing l Set rules about how long your child may play and types of games they can play l Set a technology curfew l Have your child check in with you before downloading any games l Check which safety features are available on you gaming system Discussion Starters l Can we play some of your favorite games together? l How do you respond if someone bothers you while you are gaming? l How much do you let people know about you while gaming? l What kinds of people do you game with? l Do you feel safe while you are gaming online? Why or why not? Apps l Applications or software that can run on the internet, phones, tablets or other electronic devices. l No age requirements listed to download l Some are initially free, some cost money and/or allow for in-app purchases l Some applications need internet connection to run, others will run once downloaded onto the device l Personal information can be collected from the app and possibly shared with other companies.

Risks l Apps can collect and share personal information l Kids can spend real money on apps, even if the app was initially free to download l Apps may include links to social media that kids are unaware of l Apps allow users to interact with others who have downloaded the app l Apps may have links to other games or ads that have inappropriate content for your child Tips l Research app ratings and developmental appropriateness on Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org), Apple’s App Rating System (4+, 9+, 12+, 17+) or the Entertainment Software Rating Board (http://www.esrb.org) l Ask other families, check out your school and or library sites, and look through the education section of the app stores to find appropriate apps for your child. l Prior to downloading an app, view screen shots, read reviews and content ratings and learn what information the app is collecting. l Download and play the app with your kids! l Learn how to block content and childproof your devices. Check out your manufacturers website to see how to disable or limit what your child has access to. l Think about what you want or need to disable (safari, youtube, etc.) to keep your child safe when you aren’t around l Turn off app downloads so your child has to come to you prior to making any purchases l Disable in-app purchases to limit your child spending money in the application

Discussion Starters l What are some of your favorite sites? Let’s look to see if they have any apps available for downloading. l What should you do before deciding to download an app on your device? l What do you think some family rules should be for apps that you are allowed to download and use? l Do you ever play games with or talk to other people while you are in an app? Digital Citizenship l We are teaching our children to use media tools in a safe, responsible and appropriate way. l Think about this:

l What students are doing online now can have future impacts l More reflection is necessary

l Be wary of what you read l Think before writing

l Mistakes can be looked up now!

l Set limits Cyberbullying

l Cyberbullying includes the following:

l Online fights with inappropriate language, harassment, posting cruel messages or rumors about another, impersonating another person, sharing embarrassing information or messages, repeatedly sending someone messages, or intentionally excluding someone. l No escape from victimization l Knowledge of technology doesn’t equal good judgment.

l Teach perspective taking and real world impact!

l Teach personal guidelines for online involvement to prevent your child from engaging in harmful behavior or becoming a target.

4th Grade Cyberbullying Data

School Written Received Shared Cyberbullying Caley 13% 12% 4% 68% Candlebrook 15% 21% 9% 89%

l I have written text messages or sent emails to someone when I have been angry.

l I have received unkind text messages or emails from other kids.

l I have shared emails or text messages about another person to others.

Tips l Talk to your child about how family values in the real world translate to online behavior as well. l Make consequences clear for violating appropriate online behavior or participating in cyberbullying behavior. l Teach your child the steps to report cyberbullying if they see it happening: l Save the evidence and then remove the material l Tell a trusted adult l Block the bully l Contact your service provider l Contact the police if the bully is making serious threats Discussion Starters l What kind of values does our family have for treating others with kindness and respect in the real world? l Is this kind of behavior kind or respectful to others? l How would you feel if someone did this to you or your best friend? l What would happen if everybody did this online? l Would it be okay if you said or did something like that to someone in person or in the “real world”? l Do you realize that what you say online can have an impact or even damage someone’s reputation? l What would someone find out if he or she were to Google you online?

What do you think your kids said about staying safe with media and technology? What do our kids know about keeping safe online? l “Don’t tell people your passcode” l “If someone is bothering you, tell an adult” l “Don’t talk to people you don’t know”

l “Never play games with strangers and l “Don’t send insulting emails” don’t play social media without permission” l “If someone says ‘Hey, want free VIP just give me your password’, report that user” l “Do not make up a username or password by yourself” l “Don’t click on things that have ads” l “Never buy anything without l “Adults can act as kids” permission from your mom or dad” l “Never send a message online that will hurt another person” Online safety programs l ParentsOnPatrol allows you to monitor your teens chat. You pick keywords (eg: sex, drugs, suicide) that you find disturbing and the software emails you if your child has an online chat with those words appearing. The software allows you to block people you find questionable, or predatory. l Razzul only allows child-friendly sites to be accessed. Razzul will allow you to set reminders for your child that will pop up (eg: "4.30 pm, time to get ready for ballet") and also will allow you to limit the child's time per 24 hours on the computer and will keep track of the time even if it is spent in increments. l Windows Live Family Safety allows your to manage your children’s internet usage, see programs used and monitor time spent online. Tips l Cyber 5 l Turn on parental controls l Talk about sharing information and their “Digital Footprint” or “Digital Tattoo” l Check out apps for kids that can be useful tools for learning how to stay safe online

l Digital passport for kids from Common Sense Media l DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) Flat Stanley and Flat Stella App

This information comes from www.abcya.com Questions or Comments? For additional information, please visit:

Barb Micucci – www.umasd.org/micucci

Jessica Vicente – www.umasd.org/vicente

Look under “Game On” Parent Workshop Tab for resources, powerpoint presentation and additional handouts.