Teens | Parenting Through Turbulence

Using TV Parental Controls

July 19, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

These days it seems like television programming is a minefield. Even seemingly innocent programming can be filled with language, images and references that are not suitable for your children to be exposed to. All too often, commercials for violent movies and video games will air during family TV time. What can you do to protect your child from these potentially harmful influences?

Luckily, a variety of good parental control technology is readily available. All you have to do is learn how to use it.

Since the beginning of the year 2000, the FCC has required most new TVs to have a built-in V-Chip. This technology uses the ratings information encoded in the program to block shows parents have deemed inappropriate for their children. The owner’s manual for your TV should contain directions for using the V-Chip technology.

You can also use additional program blocking features that may be built into your TV or offered by your satellite or cable provider. There are kid-friendly programs and packages from direct.tv that your family would be able to enjoy. With this technology you can block entire channels from view no matter the ratings of individual programs. Many home video game systems and DVD players also include forms of blocking technology, and can be programmed not to play games or movies beyond a set ratings limit.

Finally, filters offer another layer of protection. This technology in TVs or DVD players will block out inappropriate language or other content while you are watching, in essence creating an edited version of the program or movie.

While it may seem like quality family programming is difficult to find, by using this technology you can expand your viewing options and relax, knowing your children are protected.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teens Tagged With: Television, V-Chip, Video game

Good Education Helps Teens Be Productive

July 2, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Image by mcwetboy via Flickr

It can be a challenging time for parents: your “baby” is all grown up and just graduated high school, but isn’t quite ready to dive into university life. You’re afraid that the time off will inevitably lead to no higher education. Before your teen discards her college plans, sit down and talk about an online college. There are many ways online colleges can help her move toward her degree while still feeling in control of her time, life, and future.

Online colleges allow students to start when they are ready. Most classes have pre-taped lectures that students can plug into at their leisure. Online courses are flexible, allowing your teen to work on coursework at his own pace. There are a wide variety of programs online, some that may not be available at a nearby university. These are points you can use to entice your teen into considering an online bachelor degree, although taking online courses is not the easy avenue he may be imagining.

Online coursework is demanding and does require diligence and commitment. While it’s flexible and relaxed, students do have deadlines for coursework, exams and finals just as they would at any brick and mortar institution. Procrastination will still lead to cramming and panicking as deadlines approach. If you’re concerned that your teen will become a bum and live at home for the rest of his life, discuss online courses and degrees with him today.

Filed Under: Parenting, Resources, Teens Tagged With: Bachelor's degree, Distance education, E-learning

Helping Your College Bound Teen Find Student Housing

May 20, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Sarah Long loves her son Steven and wants him to have a wonderful time at college, while getting a good education. However, she remembers her succession of wild college roommates and wants him to live in a quiet apartment, alone.

Steven wants to live as close to campus as possible with as much freedom as possible. He does not want to waste these precious college years living with too many restrictions.

Parenting an older teen can be like walking a parenting tightrope: granting just enough freedom for the young adult to grow into a responsible individual while providing enough protection to ensure the child’s safety. Sarah turned to the Internet for advice and found several sites that described suitable apartments in Atlanta, even for an single college student with a limited budget.

Sarah and Steven checked out several Atlanta apartments and found a one bedroom flat close to Steven’s school, with covered parking, internet, furnished, and affordable. Sarah was thrilled it was in a safe neighborhood and close to shopping; Steven was happy it was within walking distance of a couple of famous college haunts.

Using technology, the Long family found a place for their student to live that met his mother’s desire for his health and safety and his desire to be close to campus and student life. His new apartment should give him the opportunity to explore the fun of campus life when he wants excitement and still give him peace and quiet when it is time to buckle down and study.

Filed Under: General, Teens Tagged With: Atlanta, Education, Student

Warn Children About the Dangers of Texting

March 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Parents of teens have so much to worry about. Does he drive too fast? Is she drinking alcohol? Do they talk on their cell phones while they drive? How are their grades? Will he get into college? And now a new worry has been added to the list: Sexting.

Sexting is when people send racy or inappropriate photos of themselves or others via text message on a cell phone. What might start out as a private exchange can quickly become public. It then becomes humiliating. Oh, and if the teens participating in this activity are under 18, it is also child pornography and therefore against the law.

Parents need to talk to their children about sexting. In Massachusetts, two 14-year-old-boys were sent a photo of a 13-year-old girl exposing her breast. She had willingly allowed her 14-year-old boyfriend to take the shot, and he sent it to his friends. The friends didn’t ask for the photo, but because they received it and showed it to a couple of other people the police got involved and the boys were nearly charged with possessing child pornography. They could have had to register as sex offenders.

Clearly what the boys did was wrong. But at 14, did they know how wrong? We give our children freedom and access to technology at very young ages. Often they are not mentally or emotionally prepared to handle all the responsibilities and dangers that lurk there. As a parent, it is your job to anticipate those concerns and openly discuss them with your child so he or she will be fully prepared.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teens Tagged With: ChildPornography, Massachusetts, Sexting

How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online

March 10, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

When you are a parent, it seems like dangers to your children lurk around every corner. You worry about their physical safety – you worry they might take a tumble down the stairs or be hurt while learning to ride a bike, for example. But when your child is a little older and is learning to use a computer, you being to wonder how you can keep him safe while he’s online.

Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to protect your child from Internet predators and inappropriate material. First, simply decide what sites will be off-limits to your child and block them. Your computer probably has some built-in parental controls you can use (just look under the Control Panel) and you can also purchase software that will allow even more detailed protection.

Second, you’ll want to bump up the security level on your computer. Increased virus protection will be helpful should your child accidentally download an infected file. You may even want to set limits on downloads to greatly decrease this risk.

Third, track your child’s internet usage. If you have a newer computer there is probably built-in tracking software that you’ll just need to enable; or you can purchase a product. If you choose to buy something, make sure you purchase from a reputable source.

Finally, talk to your kids about your family’s Internet rules and remind them of basic Internet safety. Teach them to never use their full name online, to not give out personal information like a phone number or address and to never send pictures of themselves to anyone online.

Filed Under: Parenting, Teens Tagged With: Child, Control Panel (Windows), Parental Control

Sexting: Prevention is Better Than Intervention

February 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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Sexting is a serious issue. Not only is it illegal to send nude or sexually inappropriate pictures, there are nonlegal consequences that can be just as bad as the legal ones. But how do you stop kids from making these wrong decisions? Young people feel they’re invincible. They’re immature, and, on top of that, they have to deal with loads of peer pressure. As a parent, you can make a stand and help prevent your child from sexting. Here are a few tips on how to deal with the issue of sexting.

First of all, buying your child a cell phone has to come at the right time. If the child is too immature for the responsibility or behaviorally reckless, maybe it’s best to wait a couple more years. And when your child receives his or her first cell phone, a conversation needs to be had. Ground rules must be set. Explain the difference between appropriate and inappropriate content as well as the consequences of making poor mobile phone decisions.
Figure out the filters available on your child’s cell phone. Perhaps there is a way to block the ability to text or take pictures. Buying a cell phone without a camera may also be a smart idea.
Stress to your child the importance of not partaking in the forwarding of sexts. If your child receives an improper picture, explain why it’s important not to share it.
Try to create an open environment with your child. If he or she feels able to talk about these kinds of issues with you, they will be more willing to do so and less willing to take part in ill-advised activities.

Your job as a parent is to be acutely aware of the goings on of your child. Sexting doesn’t just happen on cell phones, and it may be hard to detect if your child doesn’t talk to you.

Filed Under: Internet, Social Networks, Teens Tagged With: Child, Mobile phone, Sexting

The Bullies Have Entered the House: How to Detect Cyberbullying

February 26, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

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Bullies are a kid’s worst nightmare. Imagine going to school every day afraid someone bigger than you will push you around and call you names. You may have even experienced bullying yourself as a kid. Everyone knows it’s not fun. Today, though, the situation can be even worse. Kids aren’t just being bullied at school; they’re being bullied at home on the Internet. Now it’s inescapable. If you know your child is being cyberbullied, there are steps you can take to combat it. But what if you don’t know? The following list explains ways to detect if your child is being cyberbullied.

Examine your child’s technology habits. If your child isn’t using the Internet or his or her cell phone as often as usual, that may be a sign of a problem.
Examine your child’s mood. Is your child acting strangely? Has he or she been experiencing extreme changes in mood or losing interest in everyday activities? Children are moody in general, but moodiness mixed with technology can pertain to cyberbullying.
Watch for secretive behavior. Hiding cell phone conversations or being jumpy about being near people while on the computer may mean your child is hiding something. If he or she gets angry when interrupted online or on the phone and there is no clear explanation as to why, the answer could be cyberbullying.

The best thing to do is have a conversation with your child. Learn about his or her life; ask about school and friends. Most kids aren’t great at hiding their emotions; you should be able to tell if something seems off about your child’s behavior. Once you’ve detected a cyberbullying problem, it’s time to take subsequent steps to allay situation.

Filed Under: Resources, Social Networks, Teens Tagged With: Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Mobile phone

Safeguarding Your Child’s Computer Experiences

February 24, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

No amount of teaching a beginner computer user such as your child will make them expert immediately. Mistakes will be made – that’s the nature of learning. Unfortunately, making an error on a computer can be very costly. It only takes opening up one maliciously directed email attachment for a Trojan to take over your child’s computer. And children, even those who’ve been trained otherwise, are eager to get email messages that appear to be from friends. To prevent a seemingly happy occurrence from turning into a disaster of unmitigated proportions that destroys en entire computer, it’s wise to take preemptive measures.

If you’ve ever re-loaded an operating system, wiping the old system off and installing a fresh copy, you know how tiresome the process can be. Yet that drastic step is often necessary once hacker software has made its way onto a computer. Since your child will struggle to recognize familiar people sending emails versus programs that appear to be friends sending invasive programs, it’s up to you to add software safeguards. PC Tools antivirus is a good place to start. By installing this package, you’re adding a strong line of defense between your child and their computer, and the rest of the world.

Don’t delay in setting up these safeguards. As you take the computer out of the box it arrives in and begin setting it up, have your choice in antivirus software there to be installed right after you’ve plugged in the mouse and keyboard. Because, just as a seatbelt must be worn from the moment the car is put into drive, a computer must be operated with safeguards from the moment the power is turned on and the internet accessed. Your child may not inherently understand this; even if you’ve explained it to them. That’s why it’s up to you to buckle up your child’s computer experience and make it safe.

Filed Under: Internet, Parenting, Teens Tagged With: Anti-Virus, antivirus, Child

Facebook for Kids

February 23, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Facebook is the social networking application that has emerged as the dominant method for connecting with co-workers, colleagues, family, friends and even strangers. Creating a Facebook account is quick and easy, and most users can be uploading pictures of themselves and their friends, posting status updates and adding friends within just a few minutes. While that type of ease of access may be great for adults, parents worry that kids are able to do a lot of damage on Facebook, most of which can be accomplished before parents even know it’s happening. Children and teens should be educated on basic Internet safety before they are given unsupervised access to the Internet. There are a number of things about Facebook that you should be sure to address with them.

Facebook requires the input of the user’s age when creating the account. The site claims that this is to ensure only age-appropriate content is provided. However, that only applies to the content direct to users by the application itself. Facebook does not really have any control over the content that will be put in front of your kids by other users. For that reason, kids should be urged to only initiate and accept friend requests from people they know, such as family members and friends from their schools. You will also want to introduce your younger Facebook users to the privacy settings. Most of the content on Facebook pages should be set to Friends Only, and not Friends of Friends. This will keep the prying eyes of strangers away from your children’s pages.

Finally, make sure your kids understand that anything they put out on the Internet, whether on Facebook, Twitter or even through e-mail, is not necessarily private. E-mails can be forwarded, and even the best of intentions can cause harmful invasions of privacy.

Filed Under: Social Networks, Teens Tagged With: Facebook, Friends, Social network service