{"id":31481,"date":"2012-08-18T04:07:40","date_gmt":"2012-08-18T03:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=31481"},"modified":"2012-08-18T04:38:51","modified_gmt":"2012-08-18T03:38:51","slug":"kids-share-web-is-rich-with-info-to-help-tweens-but-it-isnt-kidproof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/kids-share-web-is-rich-with-info-to-help-tweens-but-it-isnt-kidproof\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids Share – Web is Rich with Info to Help Tweens, But it isn\u2019t Kidproof"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/strong>Image Source – \u201cAlien,\u201d<\/em> 20th<\/sup> Century Fox<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/em>Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 Ash, \u201cAlien,\u201d<\/em> 20th<\/sup> Century Fox, 1979<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>
\nAll around the globe, kids are about the only things that don\u2019t come with halfway-decent instruction manuals and detailed warning labels.<\/p>\n

The way we parents fumble through raising them, it\u2019s amazing the little suckers survive.<\/p>\n

Boy, they\u2019re resilient.<\/p>\n

They have to be because according to the PRB (Population Reference Bureau), 27 percent of the 2011 7 billion worldwide population was below age 15.<\/p>\n

That means roughly 20 percent of the total (about 1.9B) are below 13 — the magic age when they break through the teen barrier.<\/p>\n

We can\u2019t exactly recall, but we believe being a teenager is kinda\u2019 a big thing.<\/p>\n

Of course, they don\u2019t wait until they\u2019re teenagers before they start scoring on all of the technology stuff.<\/p>\n

Head Start<\/strong><\/p>\n

A combination of parental guilt of not giving them a jump start on their future, dotting grandparents, peer pressure, and begging\/pleading starts them on the path of getting their phones, tablets, computers, Facebook page, etc.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hello Mom \u2013 <\/strong>It doesn\u2019t take pre-preteens long before they know if you want to talk to someone you call them up.\u00a0 Or, if they\u2019re too busy to call, you text them.\u00a0 They also quickly realize that it\u2019s not just a phone; it has apps to fit your mood, ability and more.\u00a0 Source \u2013 Humorblog<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Little ones start out with toy phones that do everything but connect to the real world.<\/p>\n

For kids, cell phones seem to be just part of growing up.<\/p>\n

And when they hit the tweens, the cell phone is almost a right of passage.<\/p>\n

Ash commented, \u201c<\/em>It’s adapted remarkably well to our atmosphere, considering its nutritional requirements.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweens know they \u201cneed\u201d one; and the mobile companies aren\u2019t above appealing to them as well as their parents to enable them to keep in touch with the kids, keep them safe.\"\"<\/p>\n

Staying in Touch \u2013 <\/strong>Increasingly, with both parents working, couples focus on not just being there for the kids, but also ensuring they can reach the youngster.\u00a0 While it isn\u2019t exactly spying, some of the new iPhone\/smartphone apps enable parents to monitor phone usage and where the youngster has been\u2026just in case.\u00a0 Source \u2013 Nielsen<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Do they really need a mobile phone?\u00a0 Probably not; but that doesn’t mean that it is totally impractical, especially if both parents work and the kid has a busy schedule or you simply want to stay in touch with them.<\/p>\n

But, more and more schools aren\u2019t letting phones on the premises or requiring them to be turned off during school hours.\u00a0 Sorta\u2019 defeats your ability to stay in touch with them at any time of the day.<\/p>\n

Of course, tweens can always play the safety\/security card; but it might be better if they know they shouldn\u2019t put themselves in risky situations like riding with strangers, walking alone at night.<\/p>\n

Then again, there\u2019s always the \u201cwhat if\u201d and that added peace of mind for the parent and the tween when they have a mobile phone.<\/p>\n

Besides, there\u2019s a ton of good, fun iTune and android apps.<\/p>\n

Speaking of apps, a smartphone may be iffy, but a tablet (especially an iPad) is important\u2026just ask your kids.<\/p>\n

We were quite taken with the LeapPad when we saw it late last year for toddlers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Learning Apps \u2013 <\/strong>There are a growing number of child-friendly web sites that parents can go to with their kids to download appropriate educational applications and tools.\u00a0 In addition, they\u2019re available for tablets such as the iPad, which is also good for dad\u2019s games and sporting events.\u00a0 Source \u2013 AdAge<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But if you look at the app stores, there are tens \u2013 thousands of really good educational, entertaining tools you can download with your kids to help them learn more about the world around them.<\/p>\n

Generation C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tweens have already been classified\u00a0 – Generation C \u2013 because they don\u2019t know life without creating, collaborating and communicating with the iNet and apps.<\/p>\n

The challenge for parents is to ensure they have the right safe tools \u2013 hardware, software, web locations \u2013 as they skip right past printed materials and use the hands-on multi-sensory learning products.<\/p>\n

Most parents we know are amazed at how their tweens move effortlessly between multiple devices and store their information in the cloud.<\/p>\n

And along the way, they can help mom and dad understand how to get the most out of their iPad and the games\/tools they\u2019ve downloaded.<\/p>\n

Ripley watched what was going on and said, \u201c<\/em>If you have any trouble, I’ll be on the bridge.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

There are a lot of apps your tweens can use on your smartphone, their iPod Touch or the family iPad.<\/p>\n

There are a number of analysts who suggest tweens may become so adept, so comfortable in working with these mobile devices that they may never \u201cadvance\u201d to a computer.<\/p>\n

Naw\u2026they want the computer, the web, social media!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Worker Bees \u2013 <\/strong>While there are some indications that youngsters are perfectly comfortable doing all of their communications on a smartphone or tablet, most educators and young people who are surveyed agree that today\u2019s newer, lighter notebooks\/ultrabooks with longer battery lives and more power are preferable for more comprehensive studies–especially with the larger screen for long periods.\u00a0\u00a0 Of course, as with any activity on the web, it does require parental monitoring.\u00a0 Source \u2013 momitforward<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The notebook, or more likely the ultrabook \u2013 will continue to be part of their on-the-go access to the world bundle because they\u2019re more in sync with their other mobile devices \u2013 light, good battery life, instant on.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s amazing (to us anyway) that there are so many really great sites out there designed specifically to help meet the pre-tweens, tweens and yes even teens thirst for information, knowledge and yet keep them as safe as possible.<\/p>\n

Tailored Sites<\/strong><\/p>\n

And they\u2019re so easy to find that even a parent can locate them just by using a search engine and plugging in preteen websites, apps + 9-13.<\/p>\n

Of course, none of that works without parental guidance and assistance.<\/p>\n

If we had all of the online information available kids today have, we might have graduated grade school before we got our drivers license (kiddin!).<\/p>\n

There are math locations like MathsInsider and SpaceyMath that make learning interesting and fun.\u00a0 And apps like GeoPalz not only help parents keep track of kids\u2019 whereabouts, they stimulate exercise.<\/p>\n

Sites like DoInk help tweens express themselves on-screen and eliminate the need to clean the entire room when they\u2019re done.<\/p>\n

Instead of fumbling through the parental learning process as we did, there are websites that are tailor-made to help minimize mistakes.<\/p>\n

They give great advice on tween online safety, tweens\/fighting, tweens\/alcohol, tweens\/dating (we thought 20 was about right for ours), anti-bullying, ADHD, self-discipline, moodiness, sports and responsibility\/trust<\/p>\n

Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n

What got us thinking about this whole tween challenge for parents was the fact that Facebook was suddenly going to allow 13 year-olds to have their own pages.\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Facebook Faking \u2013 <\/strong>It doesn\u2019t take a lot of heavy lifting for a tween to set up his\/her Facebook page.\u00a0 Simply pick an age you want to be, do a little math and put in the appropriate data of birth and it\u2019s done.\u00a0 Parents should set up some realistic guidelines for their kids and monitor the activities to keep them out of trouble and harm\u2019s way.\u00a0 Source \u2013 sites.google<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While it created a lot of backlash, Consumer Reports<\/em> estimates that as many of 7.5M of the users are \u201cunderage.\u201d<\/p>\n

No big surprise because anyone can cheat and millions do anyway.\u00a0 There\u2019s no third-party verification that the birthdate entered is correct as long as it makes him\/her more than 13.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s parents are so proud of their kids and their lives that they already post birth dates, birthday events, vacation plans, where they\u2019re going\/what they\u2019re doing\u2026cool mom, dad!<\/p>\n

In fact, 62 percent of the parents surveyed indicated they friended their kids so you might think they sorta\u2019, kinda\u2019 already know.<\/p>\n

The great thing though is that parents seem to be trying more to connect, communicate with their kids and really help them get ahead.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Impact of the Internet and Cell Phones on Kids\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multi-Device Kids \u2013 <\/strong>The Internet, social media and mobile devices have opened up the world for kids today\u2014a world that parents and the rest of us couldn\u2019t have imagined when they were growing up.\u00a0\u00a0 Most parents want to help their youngsters with the connections, but there\u2019s always that gnawing concern about what lies just beyond the screen.\u00a0 Source \u2013 Pew Research Center<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Caution, security, safety for pre-tweens, tweens, and teens is naturally a major concern for parents.<\/p>\n

After all, it\u2019s tougher out there in social media land than the Wild West\u2026even skeptical adults get in trouble.<\/p>\n

Difficult IDs<\/strong><\/p>\n

The industry has flirted with age identification technologies since dial-up and ARPANET; and about all the technical experts can say is \u2026good luck.<\/p>\n

Ripley was so concerned she warned, \u201c<\/em>Listen to me, if we break quarantine, we could all die.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Every time the idea of establishing a national identity database surfaces, privacy advocates and ordinary folks scream bloody murder that it\u2019s a huge invasion of privacy.<\/p>\n

And with all that rich information you just know someone<\/em><\/strong> would abuse it!!!<\/p>\n

With the growing volume of data we\u2019re leaving behind every time we use one of our devices, it won\u2019t be long before people will be able to put together a very accurate picture of your kids and you\u2026what you\u2019ve done for the past weeks, months, years; where you\u2019ve been; what you\u2019ve done.\"\"<\/p>\n

Image Source – \u201cAlien,\u201d<\/em> 20th<\/sup> Century Fox<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s all part of the challenge of being a parent.<\/p>\n

And as Ash observed, \u201c<\/em>There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

# # #<\/p>\n

by: G.A. “Andy” Marken<\/strong><\/p>\n

President<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marken Communications Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy@markencom.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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