momsecureblog-blog

[momsecureblog-blog]

Are your kids using any of these social media apps? A simple discussion about your child’s online activities may lead to a better online behavior.

https://momsecure.com/blog/a-parents-guide-to-social-media/ 

[momsecureblog-blog]

How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers - MomSecure https://momsecure.com/blog/how-social-media-affects-teenagers/

How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers - MomSecure

Social media has become an integral part of a teenager’s life. Be it good or bad, here is how social media affects teenagers.

[momsecureblog-blog]

Twitter and your child, here's a parent's guide to privacy and safety.

1. Treat others as you’d like to be treated.

2. Take a step back. If a tweet doesn’t sound right, take a moment to consider the context.

3. Everyone’s a critic. Everyone on Twitter has a right to an opinion.

4. Mute other accounts. Mute is a gentle way of dealing with bothersome accounts.

5. Block other accounts. Blocking cuts ties with an account you follow or that follows you. 

[momsecureblog-blog]

Twitter, a popular app among teens, lets its users send bite-sized tweets to connect with friends. Should parents be alarmed with their teens on Twitter?

Next to social media apps such as Snapchat and Facebook, Twitter a popular social networking app among tweens and teens. In fact, Twitter is rated as one of the “most important” apps by users aged 13 to 16 years old. Almost a third of teenagers in the U.S have Twitter accounts and they use it regularly. For these teens, they consider Twitter as a safe haven to share their thoughts and feelings about life.

Just like most social media sites, Twitter can also be a tool for cyberbullying. Lauren Batchelder, a student studying at Saint Anselm College, was a cyberbullying victim. Her opinion about Donald Trump leads to a deluge of tweets attacking her. Lauren said that: “I love social media, but I also saw the terrible side of social media.” She decided to stay away from social media and focused on other things. A single tweet can either build or destroy a person’s digital profile.

Since Twitter is a powerful communication platform, you need to understand how it works to protect your teens. 

[momsecureblog-blog]

YouTube Kids’ family-friendly video content was designed to give parents peace of mind.

Raising children in the Age of Information has been challenging for most parents. Kids today are exposed to different types social media platforms. Social networking sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have become popular among adults and kids alike. They allow people to connect, share, and engage over the Internet.

However, these social media platforms also raised concerns about child safety. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of teens on social media have witnessed “cruel” behavior while online. Not only teens but children are also exposed to different types of cruel online behavior. Since kids are exposed to these types of dangers, YouTube developed an app with children in mind – YouTube Kids.

If you want to learn more what this new app has to offer, here is a simple parent’s guide to YouTube Kids. 

[momsecureblog-blog]

YouTube keeps us all entertained and as parents, we need to discuss and guide our kids to use the platform safely.

Here's a simple parent’s safety guide to YouTube:

1. Have your teenagers make playlists of their favourite videos, while you make your own. Then sit down to watch them together. 2. Take your teens on a stroll through your own TV-watching childhood by compiling a playlist of clips from your favourite shows. 3. Make watching YouTube a game: Guess what kinds of videos are popular in a particular place and then use Advanced Search to see videos only in that location. 4. Be mindful of who your teen interacts with on YouTube.

Be sure your child knows not to go beyond their limits.

https://momsecure.com/…/talk-to-your-kids-and-guide-to-you…/

[momsecureblog-blog]

YouTube, a video-sharing site, allows its users to create, share, and upload videos. However, it is also being used as a platform for malicious harassment.

YouTube has come a long way from being a host for home-made videos from its users. Today, it is a one-stop-shop for learning and entertainment. In fact, YouTube is the second most popular social media site next to Facebook. Around 400 minutes of videos are also uploaded to YouTube every minute. Children are also visiting it because it hosts a variety of online learning videos.  YouTube is fun and it keeps us all entertained and as parents, we need to discuss these mini-movies and help them develop critical judgment. Be sure your child knows not to go beyond their limits by following a guide to youtube.

Although it offers kid-friendly channels such as Baby Einstein and Simple Kids Crafts, it also has channels with harmful content. Since children love to explore videos, they might be exposed to these types of risks and become victims of cyber harassment.

Protecting your child’s innocence is important when it comes to the Internet.

[momsecureblog-blog]

Children and teens enjoy using photo-sharing apps. Here's a simple parent’s safety guide to Instagram.

1. Know the age guidelines. 2. Report problematic content. 3. Share with specific people. 4. Make your posts private. 5. Decide whether you want to use your "Photo Map". 6. Block if necessary.

Be your children’s guide when it comes to using Instagram. Keeping the lines of communication open will help them become responsible netizens.

https://momsecure.com/blog/what-parents-need-know-about-instagram/

[momsecureblog-blog]

Facebook, a popular social networking site which allows people to connect, is also a popular platform for launching online threats and cyberbullying.

Since its launch in 2004, Facebook has helped connect billions of people all over the world. It was designed to allow people to share, connect, and open up the world to everyone. In fact, around 1.18 billion users are active on Facebook every day. Since Facebook allowed people to connect, share and discover the world, it is still the most popular social media site/mobile app today.

However, Facebook cannot guarantee its user’s safety. It is often used as a platform for online threats and cyberbullying. Around seventeen percent (17%) of teens are contacted online by strangers, which made them feel uncomfortable. Most children would respond to friend requests because it is like earning a “badge of honor”. The more friends they have on their “Friends List”; the more popular they become.

Parenting kids today is challenging and parental guidance can make a big difference. Here are what parents need to know about Facebook.

[momsecureblog-blog]

Instagram, a fast and fun way of sharing life with friends, can be a platform for online harassment.

Instagram is one of the most popular social networking apps today. It allows its users to apply effects to their photos and share them on other social media platforms. Another cool feature, which draws a lot of teens, is the instant feedback they can get after posting their photos. The instant gratification they get is like an online “badge of honor”.

However, Instagram is also used as a tool for online harassment and cyberbullying. According to a feature published by NOBullying.com, “Despite the limitation of socialization and not providing too many features that make way for cyberbullying, Instagram bullying has become a huge issue recently”. Using nasty hashtags or writing cruel comments on a photo are some of the ways used by online bullies. Famous people and celebrities are also not spared from cyberbullying.

Since teens still need guidance, here is what parents need to know about Instagram.

[momsecureblog-blog]

A Snapchat Guide for Parents

1. Be kind and respectful. Be thoughtful about what you Snap and don't sned people things they don't want to receive.

2. Remember, anyone can take a screenshot of a Snap, or simply use another camera to take a picture of a Snap that appears on their screen.

3. Check your privacy settings to choose who can send you Snaps and view your Stories.

4. If you experience harassment or bullying, block the person and report.

5. Keep your password safe. Don't share your password with other people, applications, or websites. Use a different password for every service you use.

[momsecureblog-blog]

Snapchat is a fun and easy-to-use mobile app but it could also be dangerous if used improperly.

Social media continues its digital revolution with Snapchat. A message-based app that allows tweens and teens to share “silly moments” with their friends. It’s now at the forefront of social networking and digital communication, with over 150 million active daily users. Snapchat has become the most popular app among teens.

However, apps like Snapchat can also be dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced teen. Twenty percent of teens using Snapchat admitted that they received sexts from friends. Also, it could be used by online predators to find their next victim. There are several websites and blogs which publish leaked Snapchat images to the public, and these could destroy a person’s online reputation.

Since teens still need guidance, here is what parents need to know about Snapchat.

[momsecureblog-blog]

How can parents help their children navigate through the social networking web? Here's a guide for all parents to help you keep your kids safe online. 

[momsecureblog-blog]

For kids and teens, technology has become their digital pacifier. They maybe checking in on Facebook, drooling over Insta-worthy photos or sharing every bit of their action on Snapchat. Instead of letting your children immerse themselves in their smart devices, teach them to unplug during their holiday break.

Unplugging for the holidays gives you an opportunity to reconnect and spend more quality time with the family.

[momsecureblog-blog]

The Holidays are here and parents are rushing to find the perfect holiday gift for their young ones. Since children today are tech-savvy, giving smartphones as gifts have become the top choice for parents.

However, not all parents are keen to the idea of giving their children smartphones as gifts. Allowing their children to have free and unrestricted access to online information are common concerns for most parents. They feel that their kids are not yet ready for this type of responsibility.

If you are a parent who is thinking of giving a smartphone as a gift, here’s what you need to know.

[momsecureblog-blog]

Last minute shopping? If you are planning to give your kid a new smartphone, make sure to add MomSecure on your list. Give them the gift of online security!   

[momsecureblog-blog]

Parents need to help their kids minimize technology and social media distractions. Find the root cause of their distractions to help them become better digital citizens. 

Learn more digital parenting tips by visiting momsecure.com