I'm in a Video

At the beginning of the school year I was asked to be in a video for Common Sense Media.

What is Common Sense Media?

"Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives." - Taken from their website.

I was asked a series of questions, and came up with some answers. The video took place at our technological library - Do Space. Two other people were also in the video. The video was shortened down to just a few minutes long.

Parenting in the Digital Age

One thing I love are events at Do Space. I recently went to Parenting in the Digital Age put on by Common Sense Media.

Thankfully my boys are at good ages to entertain themselves with computers. During this session there was no one that could watch the kids.

If it were up to the boys they would have played in the lobby the whole time. They had rockets on a screen that put their face in them, and followed them where ever they went.

While the kids did what they did, we got started talking about Parenting in the Digital Age.

First Common Sense Media talked about how they are active in creating laws. Kids can swipe their online presence to start over when they are 18.

This is when I felt a little guilty about blogging about my kids so much. I think of my blog as a recording device. A modern baby book that worked its way into when they are kids. Lucky for me they are good kids. When I blog it's not like I'm throwing them under the bus each post. We all act up, and go through phases in life at times.

A mom that was there doesn't put her kids on facebook at all. I felt like I was in the wrong. So my kids have an online presence. If I had to start my blog over again - knowing what I know now I'd give my boys nicknames that they have in real life. Isaak is Zeek and Mica is Moose at home, and Smarty at Grandma and Grandpa's. It's a little late for that now I feel.

My boys are leaders in their classes, they get good grades in school, and they crack me up on a daily basis. I don't think I've messed them up that much.

I respect those that choose to give their kids online privacy. It would be super hard for me to not share my kids with the world. They are a part of my life.

We had to make a word web of our kids that included our online concerns for them, and something positive they'll get from being online.

Here's Travis':

Here's mine:

Travis' was more artsy, but mine had more words on it.

I have different concerns from one child to the next. Mica doesn't know his online limits. Isaak gets his feelings hurt easily, which could result in being bullied online.

Common Sense Media works with teachers, parents and educators. In fact they work with my boy's school district. They are not just in Nebraska. Check to see if they work with schools around where you live. Please check out their website: commonsensemedia.org

Things Parents Should Talk to Their Kids About:

• Having positive online decisions
• No cyber bulling 
• Data privacy 
• They shouldn't violate copyright laws

Common Sense Media Has so Much on Their Site! Here are Links to a Few Things We Went Over:

• You can see movie reviews here. I love that they have ages for movies. No longer will my husband try to get them to see something they aren't ready for. Can I say Sixth Sense? I had to say "NO!" to that one. They also have online discussions topics about movies. Families can have dialog about what they watched. How great is that?!
• There digital glossary is here. It is a glossary of terms that older students use. So many of them I have heard, but didn't know what they meant. This covers their lingo. This I will use for my own students. 
• They have media agreements here. It's a downloadable PDF that you can print out for your kid to fill out. I have to say that I don't know how much I'll use of that. We just discuss when they've had too much media. They get off at that time. 

There's a lot more on their site, so check it out!

We Talked About Apps:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Musical.ly
• Vine
• Kik Messenger
• Snapchat
• Tumblr

Some I knew a lot about, while others were new to me. While I've heard of Snapchat, I've never used it. Vine, Musical.ly, Kik Messenger I've never heard of. I brought up others like Pinterest, Google+ and LinkedIn. I guess LinkedIn is supposed to have a come back. I thought it was dying.

What app do you use the most? I'd have to say that I use Facebook the most. I control the school's Facebook page, as well as my blog one, and my personal one. Pinterest is helpful. Not just for recipes, but for holding onto things I want to talk about in class. I like Instagram, but am still newish to it. Twitter just seems like a spot to get the word out about things.

Overall I really enjoyed Parenting in the Digital Age.

Screen Time - Digital Age Recap

This session called Screen Time - Digital Age at Do Space was put on by Common Sense Media.

Common Sense Media isn't about trying to ban kids from being online. It's about opening up lines of communication between parents and kids.

Technology is innate in kids. It's important to try and eliminate screen time as much as we can for kids under the age of two. I'm not saying to avoid it all together. Taking an iPad on an airplane may be a great tool to keep them occupied. On a day to day basis let their brains expand with cognitive play.

Kids should learn from you as a parent:

• What to avoid online
• When to come to you with questions
• What not to put online

Do Space was kind enough to watch my kids, while I was in this presentation.

With Common Sense Media You as a Parent Can:

• See what ages kids should watch movies on DVD and in the theater
• Educate - there's a video on their site in the theater section that talks about Batman V Superman
• Advocate - to help with K-12 being safe online

What is screen time?

I think we all know what screen time is, but how has it changed throughout the years. Parents used to be glued to the TV when we were younger, now kids are glued to smart phones, iPads, Kindles, games systems and more. 3/4 of the kids today have access to mobile devices at home. That number keeps growing.

You have to decide with your family at what age is getting a mobil device the right age. Talk about why they are getting a digital device.

Teens have what is called FOMO, which stands for Fear of Missing Out. They want to keep up with their social media accounts. What used to be long night conversations on the phone is now long night social media checking. Vamping is staying up all night checking social media.

As a family come up with a rule to possibly have a charging station somewhere other than bedrooms. Then online time is reduced, so you and your children can get proper sleep.

Discuss what you as a parent are doing on your phone, so kids understand. Often times I talk to my kids about how I'm reviewing this product, or that product. I'm rarely online to play games.

Download online agreements that the whole family can adhere to.

TodaysMeet:

We used TodaysMeet.com to put in how much we use our Smart Phone. I don't use my Smart Phone a lot, but I sure do use my laptop a ton! Not only do I blog, but I also teach technology related things.

TodaysMeet.com is free to join, and you can create online engagement in the classroom.

What I Learned:

There was some repeat from the week before about Cyber Bullying. I think it was great to give a recap. Not everyone was in on the lecture before.

I learned a lot of teen lingo. I've heard some of it in the classroom, but didn't know what it meant.

I love the online forms you can download!

It just reassured me about opening up those lines of communication that we already have.

My kids loved it because they got to go to Dunkin Donuts after to have a donut of their choice. It's connected to Do Space. Do Space is a great spot for families that want to learn about technology!

Have you introduced your kids to a technology device? 

My kids got Kindles this year for Christmas. So far all the do is watch Mine Craft videos and play the game. They have a DS as well that they really only play once every few months.

Disclaimer: This event was free. It was provided by Common Sense Media.

Cyber Bullying Recap

On Saturday I went to Do Space for a workshop on Cyber Bullying. 

It was put on by Common Sense Media.

Here's a recap as to what they talked about, or you can read my post. :)

Bullying is a repeated aggression directed to 1 or more person.

• Physical 
• Verbal
• Relational - Manipulating someone's social standing, or destroying their family

Boys in general are more physical, and girls tend to be more relational. Really either sex can do any of the above.

Cyber bulling is the same thing as bulling, but it's online. 1/3 of 10-18 year olds have had some kind of problem with cyber bulling. The biggest problem is that only 1 in 10 tell a teacher or a parent. They hide it. Many feel like if they tell they are going to make the situation worse.

1. Target - The person being bullied. Offer support to them. You may need to talk to the bullies parents, a teacher, or principle. As a parent talk to your kids even when they are younger about bullying. When or if bullying occurs discuss all steps you as a parent will take to stop the negative behavior. Otherwise it may cause added anxiety for your child.


2. Bully - Acknowledge the problem. Try to get at the core of their feelings. Oftentimes a bully has been bullied themselves, or were only given negative attention as a child.


3. Bystander - Is someone that is around when the bulling takes place. They could be in the friend circle of the target if it's online. Encourage them to keep open communication with you.


4. Upstander - Is a Bystander, but takes their roll and feeds positivity into the situation. They may do this by adding humor to de- escalate the situation, distracting the bully, or standing up for the Target. Encourage your kids to be Upstanders! Work with your kids to instill empathy. 

Signs of a Target getting Bullied:

• Anxious
• Secretive Behavior
• Unusually Defensive
• Change in Behavior
• Spends a lot of time online
• Loss of interest in achievement - such as grades dropping, unwilling to do things they'd normally want to do

What Kids Should be Taught:

• Don't share passwords
• Treat others with respect - Upstander
• Think before you reveal
• Document if they are bullied by taking screen shots, or printing things out

Resource: Common Sense media is free to use. You do not have to have a password to use it.

• Connecting Families
• Digital Glossary - Terms of the tweens and teens that you may not know

There is much more to browse and use on their website. 

Screen Time is the next topic that Common Sense Media is going to tackle. It's next Saturday from 1 -2:30 at Do Space. School aged kids can be brought with you. 

Free - Please register here.

Common Sense Media at Do Space Discusses Cyberbullying

I'm super excited about our new technological library in Omaha called Do Space!

My class is touring there next week to check out all they have to offer.

This Saturday Keegan Korf will be presenting on behalf of Common Sense Media at Do Space. 

The Topic:

Parenting in the Digital Age Series

• This week's topic is Cyberbulling

• Next Saturday's topic will be Screentime

Description:

In partnership with Omaha Public School' "Common Sense Media" program, Do Space will host four facilitated discussions about the challenges of parenting in a technology-rich world and strategies for addressing those challenges. 

Keegan Korf, Omaha Public Schools Regional Manager for Common Sense Media, will lead a discussion about cyberbullying:

• What it look like

• Why it happens

• What kids and parents can do to prevent cyberbullying

You're Invited:

Parents are invited to bring their school-age children for a concurrent session for kids using Omaha Public Schools' "Digital Passport" games to teach digital safety and citizenship. 

• Dates: Saturday, March 19, 2016 and Saturday March 26, 2016

• Time: 1-2:30 PM

• Location: Do Space in Omaha, Nebraska, Meeting Room 2 

Cost:

Free - Please register here.

I'm super excited for this. My boys got Kindles for Christmas. Let's just say that Mica thinks he can play on it whenever he wants. He actually gets angry when I tell him, "Not tonight." 

Disclaimer: I'm posting this on my behalf. I received nothing for this post.