Contents at a Glance

Introduction ...... 1 Part I: Living in the Digital Age ...... 7 Chapter 1: Meeting the Digital Family ...... 9 Chapter 2: Creating a Digital Family Policy ...... 17 Chapter 3: Putting Safety First ...... 33 Chapter 4: Displaying Online Etiquette ...... 65 Chapter 5: Knowing Where Kids Are Turning On and Tuning In ...... 75 Part II: Navigating the Digital World Kids Live In ...... 83 Chapter 6: Decoding Gaming ...... 85 Chapter 7: Preparing Kids for Online Chats ...... 107 Chapter 8: Search Engines, Image Search Results, and Sponsored Links ...... 121 Chapter 9: Becoming Aware of Online Advertising ...... 141 Chapter 10: Talking to Your Kids about Cyberbullying ...... 159 Part III: Grasping Social Media’s Effect on Your Family ...... 171 Chapter 11: Introducing Social Networking for Children...... 173 Chapter 12: Helping Kids Use Adult Social Networks ...... 183 Chapter 13: Searching and Sharing Safely on YouTube ...... 209 Chapter 14: Blogging, Creating, and Conducting Business Online for Kids ...... 225 Part IV: Left to Their Own Devices ...... 247 Chapter 15: Handheld Gaming ...... 249 Chapter 16: Exploring Tablets for Kids ...... 257 Chapter 17: BeingCOPYRIGHTED Smart with Mobile Phones ...... 267 MATERIAL Part V: Utilizing Online Family Resources ...... 285 Chapter 18: Reading, ’Riting, ’Rithmetic — Online? ...... 287 Chapter 19: Managing Your Family with Digital Resources ...... 299

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd viivii 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM Part VI: The Part of Tens ...... 305 Chapter 20: Ten Quick Tips for Parents ...... 307 Chapter 21: Ten Social Networks for Kids ...... 311 Chapter 22: Ten Other Places Your Kids Might Be Online ...... 317 Index ...... 325

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd viiiviii 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 1 Foolish Assumptions ...... 2 Conventions Used in This Book ...... 2 How This Book Is Organized ...... 2 Part I: Living in the Digital Age ...... 2 Part II: Navigating the Digital World Kids Live In ...... 3 Part III: Grasping Social Media’s Effect on Your Family ...... 3 Part IV: Left to Their Own Devices ...... 3 Part V: Utilizing Online Family Resources ...... 3 Part VI: The Part of Tens ...... 4 Icons Used in This Book ...... 4 Where to Go from Here ...... 4

Part I: Living in the Digital Age ...... 7

Chapter 1: Meeting the Digital Family ...... 9 Guiding Your Digital Natives ...... 10 Birth to preschool ...... 10 Elementary ...... 11 Tweens ...... 11 Teens ...... 11 Fighting Foes You Know — And Those You Don’t ...... 12 Inappropriate content ...... 12 Screen time overload...... 12 Cost to stay connected ...... 13 Online child predators ...... 13 Cyberbullying ...... 14 Your children’s digital footprint ...... 14 Identity theft ...... 15 Advertising to your children ...... 16 Chapter 2: Creating a Digital Family Policy...... 17 Creating Guidelines by Age Category ...... 18 Setting Screen Time Guidelines for Home and Away ...... 18 Establishing Mobile Phone Usage Rules ...... 19 Emergency-only versus social use ...... 19 Use of applications ...... 20 Limiting when and how much to text ...... 20 Data content guidelines ...... 21 Appropriate use of camera functions...... 21 Contact list restrictions ...... 22 Guidelines for GPS and location services ...... 22

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd ixix 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM x Raising Digital Families For Dummies

Creating Rules for Internet Usage ...... 23 Determine rules for sharing e-mail addresses and information ....23 Set policies for credit card requests ...... 24 Create guidelines for search engine use ...... 24 Establish a list of approved and banned sites ...... 25 Rules for social media and chat capabilities ...... 25 Deciding the Best Location for Your Family Computer ...... 26 Setting Rules for Device Storage, Recharging, and Replacement ...... 27 Following Rules for Password Creation, Storage, and Sharing ...... 27 Create safe passwords ...... 28 Establish a password storage location ...... 28 Teach children the importance of password protection...... 28 Setting Gaming Rules ...... 29 Game rating guidelines ...... 29 Co-play and social gaming guidelines ...... 29 Reporting Incidents to Parents ...... 30 Establishing Consequences ...... 30 Chapter 3: Putting Safety First ...... 33 Using Device Privacy Settings ...... 34 Screen locks ...... 35 GPS settings ...... 38 Cookie(s) patrol ...... 40 Privacy in other online venues ...... 46 Monitoring and Protecting: Tools for Parents ...... 46 Leaving a Minimal Digital Footprint ...... 49 Identifying information...... 49 Cyberbullying ...... 50 Sexting and legal risks ...... 50 Loss of employment or educational opportunities ...... 51 Stolen images...... 51 Risk of burglary ...... 51 False sense of familiarity ...... 52 Avoiding Oversharing ...... 52 Teaching children the importance of restraint ...... 53 Avoiding Online Predators ...... 55 Talking to teens about predators ...... 55 Staying in the loop ...... 57 Avoiding Identity Theft ...... 59 Defi ning identity theft ...... 60 The cost of identity theft ...... 60 Recognizing the risk of child identity theft ...... 61 Chapter 4: Displaying Online Etiquette ...... 65 Using Context to Defi ne Tone ...... 65 Understanding the (often informal) social media atmosphere .....66 Demonstrating proper e-mail manners according to situation .....68

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd x 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM Table of Contents xi

Teaching the Golden Rule in a Digital World ...... 69 Bragging versus sharing: teaching kids digital modesty ...... 70 Keeping friends’ secrets ...... 71 Keeping kindness in mind ...... 71 Creating an Appropriate Online Persona ...... 72 Choosing suitable profi le pictures...... 72 Selecting appropriate online handles ...... 73 Keeping positive...... 73 Chapter 5: Knowing Where Kids Are Turning On and Tuning In . . . . .75 Creating Rules for Usage in Friends’ Homes ...... 76 Collaborating with friends’ parents ...... 76 Asking the right questions ...... 77 Being Aware of Extensive In-School Usage ...... 77 Talking to teachers about screen and Internet time ...... 78 Understanding school technology use policies ...... 79 Finding and Tracking Hidden Digital Time ...... 79

Part II: Navigating the Digital World Kids Live In ...... 83

Chapter 6: Decoding Gaming ...... 85 Understanding Gaming System Basics ...... 85 PlayStation ...... 86 ...... 87 ...... 87 Wii U ...... 88 PC gaming ...... 88 Introducing Social Gaming ...... 89 Wi-Fi–enabled PC and console gaming ...... 89 Facebook games ...... 91 Understanding Game Ratings ...... 97 Searching for game ratings ...... 99 Discussing the ESRB in your Digital Family Policy ...... 101 Placing the ESRB at your fi ngertips ...... 102 Understanding Parental Controls ...... 103 Wii ...... 103 PS3 ...... 104 Xbox 360 ...... 105 Chapter 7: Preparing Kids for Online Chats...... 107 Anticipating Chat Requests ...... 107 Chat requests from other users ...... 110 Chat requests from site administrators ...... 110 Understanding Chat Options ...... 111 Declining chat requests ...... 111 Using prepopulated responses ...... 112 Creating a chat platform profi le ...... 113

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xixi 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM xii Raising Digital Families For Dummies

Selecting privacy settings ...... 114 Blocking chat functionality ...... 114 Participating in open chat ...... 115 Making chat requests ...... 115 Comprehending Potential Chat Room Dangers ...... 116 Establishing Rules for Chat and IM ...... 116 Chapter 8: Search Engines, Image Search Results, and Sponsored Links ...... 121 Selecting a Search Engine ...... 121 Google...... 122 Bing ...... 123 Understanding how search results differ by user ...... 124 Distinguishing Sponsored Results from Unsponsored ...... 129 Recognizing sponsored search results ...... 129 Changing sponsored link settings ...... 131 Using Kid-Safe Search Filters ...... 133 Google SafeSearch ...... 133 Bing fi lters ...... 135 Additional Kid-Friendly Search Options ...... 136 Allowing Image Search Results ...... 137 Previewing image search results ...... 137 Employing alternative image search tools ...... 139 Chapter 9: Becoming Aware of Online Advertising...... 141 Screening for Sidebar Advertising ...... 141 Unexpected Pop-up Ads ...... 143 Defi ning pop-up ads and how they work ...... 143 Changing settings to avoid pop-ups ...... 144 Teaching Kids about Text Link Ads ...... 149 Identifying text link ads ...... 149 Seeing the dangers of clicking links ...... 151 Preventing phishing and malware ...... 152 Reporting something phishy ...... 155 Recognizing Advertising Disguised as Special Features ...... 155 Chapter 10: Talking to Your Kids about Cyberbullying ...... 159 Defi ning Cyberbullying ...... 159 Cyberharassment ...... 160 Cyberstalking ...... 161 Recognizing the Signs of Cyberbullying ...... 162 Technology use decrease or increase ...... 162 Emotional distress ...... 162 Change in behavior or mood ...... 162 Drop in grades/performance ...... 163 Secretive or withdrawn behavior ...... 163 Protecting Children from Cyberbullying ...... 163 Report cyberbullying ...... 164 Use blocking features ...... 164

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xiixii 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM Table of Contents xiii

Preventing Your Child from Cyberbullying ...... 165 Signs that your child may be a cyberbully ...... 165 Ongoing dialog ...... 166 Consultations with teachers, coaches, and others ...... 166 Having Age-Appropriate Discussions about Cyberbullying ...... 167 Elementary school children ...... 167 Middle school children ...... 168 High school children ...... 168

Part III: Grasping Social Media’s Effect on Your Family ...... 171

Chapter 11: Introducing Social Networking for Children ...... 173 Understanding How Social Platforms for Children Differ from Adult Networks ...... 174 Researching and Monitoring Platform Safety ...... 175 Online ratings systems and reviews ...... 176 Examining privacy policies ...... 177 Accessing Your Children’s Profi le Information ...... 178 Understanding COPPA ...... 179 Establishing family rules regarding parent access to accounts .....180 Creating Social Networking Rules ...... 180 Chapter 12: Helping Kids Use Adult Social Networks ...... 183 Understanding Facebook ...... 184 Knowing the recommended user age ...... 184 Providing Profi le information ...... 185 Sharing personal information ...... 187 Selecting your audience ...... 188 Customizing privacy settings ...... 189 Considering creating a family page ...... 195 Engaging with companies and brands ...... 195 Participating in Facebook Groups ...... 197 Allowing applications to access your information ...... 198 Understanding Twitter ...... 201 Selecting a protected or a public account ...... 202 Public tweets versus private direct messages ...... 203 Navigating hashtagged conversations ...... 205 Allowing access to third-party applications ...... 206 Discussing giveaways and contests ...... 208 Chapter 13: Searching and Sharing Safely on YouTube ...... 209 Starting with a Google Account ...... 210 Signing In to YouTube ...... 211 Customizing Your YouTube Settings for Safety ...... 213 Editing your profi le ...... 213 Selecting what actions to share ...... 215 Protecting yourself with privacy settings ...... 217

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xiiixiii 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM xiv Raising Digital Families For Dummies

Using Content Filters ...... 218 Public versus Private Videos on YouTube ...... 220 Chapter 14: Blogging, Creating, and Conducting Business Online for Kids...... 225 Helping Your Kids Decide Whether to Blog ...... 225 Talking about their motivation ...... 226 Looking at time commitments...... 227 Determining costs ...... 230 Facilitating Your Kids’ Blogging ...... 231 Understanding basics: From publishing to plug-ins ...... 231 Selecting a platform ...... 233 Considering customization ...... 234 Discussing Safety Concerns ...... 236 Public versus private blogging ...... 236 Creating a safe blogging profi le ...... 240 Using contact forms...... 240 Joining Blogging Communities ...... 242 Kids as Online Entrepreneurs ...... 243 Game creation ...... 243 Computer animation and graphic design ...... 244 Business owners ...... 245

Part IV: Left to Their Own Devices ...... 247

Chapter 15: Handheld Gaming ...... 249 Previewing Games for Content ...... 249 Comparing Educational and Entertainment Games ...... 251 Comparing Handheld Gaming Devices ...... 252 3DS and 3DS XL ...... 252 Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS XL ...... 253 PSPgo and PSP-3000 ...... 253 Sony PS Vita ...... 254 LeapFrog Explorer ...... 254 LeapFrog LeapsterGS Explorer ...... 255 VTech MobiGo ...... 255 iPod touch ...... 256 Chapter 16: Exploring Tablets for Kids ...... 257 Knowing the Tablet Types ...... 257 VTech InnoTab ...... 258 LeapFrog LeapPad ...... 259 Nabi ...... 260 Kurio ...... 260

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xivxiv 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM Table of Contents xv

MEEP! ...... 261 Tabeo ...... 262 Vinci ...... 263 Choosing Apps and Features for Your Kids ...... 264 Android and iPad tablets ...... 264 Kindle Fire ...... 265 NOOK ...... 266 Chapter 17: Being Smart with Mobile Phones ...... 267 Determining the Right Age to Get a Phone ...... 267 Choosing from call-only, kid-friendly, and prepaid phone options ...... 269 Deciding when to allow text, data, and applications ...... 272 Preparing your child for safe phone use ...... 274 Smartphones and Parental Controls ...... 275 Comparing limit options through your service provider ...... 275 Parental controls available by mobile device platform ...... 277 Using monitors and restrictions for content and usage amounts....279 Mobile Phone Safety Concerns ...... 280 GPS and your children’s privacy ...... 281 Texting and driving ...... 281 Talking to your children about sexting ...... 283

Part V: Utilizing Online Family Resources ...... 285

Chapter 18: Reading, ’Riting, ’Rithmetic — Online? ...... 287 Determining the Educational Value of Learning Websites ...... 287 Monitoring for diffi culty level and content ...... 289 Watching for advertising...... 290 Observing the graphics and sounds ...... 291 Researching listed source information ...... 291 Educational Resources: Talking to Kids about Credible and Crediting .....292 Helping children differentiate between resource sites ...... 292 Teaching kids proper crediting of online sources ...... 293 Discovering Online Learning ...... 294 Evaluating online courses ...... 294 Recognizing the digital role of your traditional school ...... 295 Device usage in schools ...... 296 Connecting with your child’s classroom online ...... 297 Chapter 19: Managing Your Family with Digital Resources ...... 299 Orchestrating Life ...... 299 Planning Family Meals ...... 301 Purchasing Essentials ...... 302 Budgeting Online ...... 303

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xvxv 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM xvi Raising Digital Families For Dummies

Part VI: The Part of Tens ...... 305

Chapter 20: Ten Quick Tips for Parents ...... 307 Always Pay Attention ...... 307 Be a Good Digital Role Model ...... 307 Focus on Safety ...... 308 Spotlight Public versus Private ...... 308 Take the Time to Establish Limits ...... 308 Enforce Accountability ...... 309 Use Available Resources ...... 309 Communicate with Your Kids Offl ine ...... 309 Encourage “Unplugged” Time ...... 310 Join Them! ...... 310 Chapter 21: Ten Social Networks for Kids...... 311 Club Penguin ...... 311 ScuttlePad ...... 312 Webkinz ...... 312 YourCause ...... 313 Sweety High ...... 313 Yoursphere ...... 313 Fanlala ...... 314 giantHello ...... 315 Everloop ...... 315 Jabbersmack ...... 316 Chapter 22: Ten Other Places Your Kids Might Be Online ...... 317 Pinterest ...... 317 Google+ ...... 318 Ning ...... 319 Foursquare ...... 319 Vimeo ...... 320 Ustream ...... 321 Flickr ...... 321 Instagram ...... 322 MeetMe ...... 323 Tumblr ...... 323 Index ...... 325

002_9781118485088-ftoc.indd2_9781118485088-ftoc.indd xvixvi 44/2/13/2/13 110:360:36 AMAM