News Article: Gaming Addiction and Kids

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It started with Pong, Atari, Nintendo….today there is Xbox, Play Station 4, Wii. The games used to be simple like Pac Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong…today they are more complicated, with graphics that make it near impossible to distinguish the game from reality. And today, the games are proving to be far more addictive than they were 35 years ago.

One of the greatest concerns of parents today is video game addiction. The addiction can be with games as innocuous as Mindcraft or as violent as Call of Duty. Regardless of the game or the gaming platform, gaming addiction is a real issue. As we move into the holiday season with not only gifts of technology and new games filling our homes, but also with the abundance of free time on kids’ hands with school vacation, now is a good time to consider the issues surrounding online gaming. Take a few minutes to read this excellent Washington Post article: The Next Level which provides wonderful insight into the world of gaming addiction.

5 Steps for a Safe Cyber Monday

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Like it or not, the holiday season has arrived! If you are anything like me, you not only welcome Cyber Monday, but make the most of the day. Obviously, the deals can be great, but the real benefit is the ease and convenience of shopping from home. The list of advantages is long…no parking headaches, no frustrating searches through over stocked stores to find the right size, no wasted time waiting in long check out lines, and best of all, no need to deal with the Chicago cold, rain, and snow.

Before you get your credit card handy and start paging through the many Cyber Monday emails you likely have accumulated, take a few minutes to ensure your cyber safety. The entire world knows that Monday, November 28, 2016 is the biggest online shopping day of the year. Take a few minutes to ready your computer for the day and ensure your online safety.

  1. Ensure your browser is updated. Browser programs are updated to address problems. If you have an outdated version on your computer, the website you are accessing may not display properly and there can also be security issues allowing someone to hack into your computer. To check what version you currently have on your computer, open the browser program, go to the toolbar up top, click on “Help,” and then click on “About [the name of the program.]”
  2. Ensure you have the latest operating system updates. Both Microsoft and Apple update their systems regularly to ensure the safety and reliability of your computer. Don’t procrastinate. These updates offer the latest protection against malicious online activities.
  3. Ensure you have updated your anti-virus software. Cyber Monday is a favorite day for hackers, thieves and cyber-terrorists. Reduce your vulnerability by downloading the latest update. Remember, antivirus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses. Don’t take chances with an out of date program. Also, limit the number of unknown sites you visit.
  4. Scan your computer for Spyware. Spyware tracks your movements on the Web and often times interferes with your computer’s performance. If you have time, run a full system scan of the hard drive before you start shopping to make sure that you do not have any unwanted intrusions.
  5. Prepare for computer freezes. If your computer freezes, simply reboot the computer. Click on the “Ctrl-Alt-Delete” keys. The task manager will open and click the “Start Task Manager” tab. A window will open and you will see the site that is not responding. Click the “End Task” tab and the web page will close. For Apple computers, hold the “power” button down until the computer turns off or select the “Opt- Cmd-Esc” keys.

Best of luck with the online deals and happy shopping! And remember Cyber Monday is a great reminder to be aware of your online security.

Dr. Michelle Drouin Talks Protective Parenting in the Digital Age

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Dr. Michelle Drouin, developmental psychologist and associate professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, recently was a featured speaker at TedxNaperville.  In this WFFT interview, she talks to the issues of parenting in this highly digital age. She echoes the philosophy of Cyber Safety in many ways. Like us, she believes ‘it starts with a conversation with your child’. She also encourages parents to start the conversation early, setting limits and expectations before you give your child a device. This is a great reminder as the holidays approach. Cyber Safety could not agree more Dr. Drouin!

Snapchat Adds New In-App Purchases with Replay and Selfie Filters

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Beware that Snapchat has added some new features to its app that will entice children to make in-app purchases. This could lead to some careless purchases and high credit card bills.  Remember, you can disable in-app purchases on both iOS (iPad, iTouch, and iPhone) and Android devices. Read this article to learn more about the new features in Snapchat.

Check your own privacy settings and not just your kids

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While it is critical that parents ensure their children’s privacy settings are set up correctly on social media accounts, this article is a great reminder that parents should check their own privacy settings on a regular basis. Many of us love to share photos of our children as they grow up. It is a great way to share with friends and family near and far. However, parents also have a responsibility to protect their children and this is one way that sometimes gets overlooked.  As stated in the article:

The campaign claims parents are running the risk of over-sharing and creating a digital footprint their child has no control over.

It only takes a minute to check your own privacy settings. Take that minute out of your week to ensure your child’s safety.

Controversial new cyberbullying law in Illinois

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As of January 1, 2015, Illinois law HB4207 went into effect. Illinois Government News Network describes it in these words:

House Bill 4207, sponsored by State Representative Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago), prohibits bullying of students through technology outside the classroom or school. The law applies to devices not owned or used by a school, and requires a school’s anti-bullying policy to include an investigation for any act of bullying that causes a disruption to a school’s operations or educational process. This legislation expands on previous legislation signed by Governor Quinn which banned cyberbullying of students within schools. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Every coin has two sides. While the objective of the law is to protect children being bullied, there is controversy around the subject of student’s invasion of privacy, free speech and how much power a school should have. The prevailing question is whether it is legal for a school to require a student to turn over the passwords to social media during an investigation of harassment and bullying.

It cannot be argued that cyberbullying that is happening outside of school times has a direct and powerful impact on the victim DURING school hours. Cyberbullying cannot be separated by school hours.

Here are a few links to gain an understanding of the law and the arguments surrounding it.

Anti Bullying PSA Video: Don’t let it be too late

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Do you have 45 seconds? Take 45 seconds of your day to watch this Anti Bullying PSA video. This PSA was created with teens reading real posts left on the social media sites of teenagers who have been bullied and ended their lives as a result. It is both raw and moving at the same time. The message…put a stop to bullying now and don’t let it be too late to put a beautiful message on a friend’s site.

Was Sony hack job a form of cyber bullying?

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The topic certainly was one of the more popular ones of the various holiday gatherings that I attended. ‘Are you going to see The Interview?’ I heard that question numerous times. Everyone had thoughts and opinions on the hack job that is being called one of the greatest in history. The ideas and opinions expressed ranged from entertainment topics to political views to technology.

The one thing never mentioned was the idea of cyber bullying and how the hacking of Sony’s systems represents cyber bullying in one of its greatest forms. This editorial article says the following:

Let’s call this hacking what it was: an example of cyber bullying. Just as some children use computers and the Internet to deliberately harm others, the Guardians of Peace have used computers and the Internet to harm a corporation that did something they didn’t like.

Click here to read the full editorial 

Angelina Jolie Hires Cyber Security to Protect Her Kids Online – People.com

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People.com – December 16, 2014

Her kids have shown that they are more than up to the task of stepping in for her on the red carpet, but like most parents, Angelina Jolie says she’s not sure if they’re prepared for the digital world. 

So how does the mother of six make sure her kids are safe on the Internet? 

“We have someone who monitors that,” Jolie, 39, told PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. 

Read the rest of the story by clicking here.

Angelina Jolie hires internet safety help

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I don’t always agree with all of Angelina Jolie’s view points, but one thing that cannot be argued is her devotion and work ethic when it comes to raising her 6 children . Certainly her children have opportunities and privilege beyond what any other children have in this world.  However, this does not exempt them from the dangers of the internet. In fact, a very strong argument can be made that they are at a much higher risk of danger given there popularity. I applaud Angelina’s humbleness and ability to put her children’s safety as a top priority. Read People’s article describing the decision Angelina made to keep her children safe.