In my monthly column on BayStateParent.com, I dig deeper into a story that is making headlines about the dangers kids face while playing Fortnite and other online games and apps. A story originally reported on the site NJ.com gained attention recently after the arrest of 24 men who police say were using messaging services through Fortnite (and other games and apps) to try and lure children. Law enforcement officials pretended to be kids and communicated with men who thought they were talking with 14- and 15-year-old boys and girls.
But how concerning is this news? Is this a Fortnite-specific problem (spoiler alert: no). And what do parents really need to know to help their kids stay safe while gaming and communicating online? Please read this month’s column for tips and advice.
A vulnerability discovered in massively popular game Fortnite gave third-parties access to user account details, payment information and even in-game chat audio. The bug, found by Check Point Software Technologies in November, has already been patched by developers at Epic Games.
Whether it is online retail, in-home data entry, or remote class instruction, technology has changed the game for parents who want to work outside of a traditional office setting, and be their own boss. It is now very possible to launch your own business venture out of your home and build your brand while the kids are napping or off at school.
In this article on BayState Parent, we examine how this trend has grown over the last decade, and why it has been life changing for many parents who otherwise would be limited in their opportunities to earn some extra income for the household. In this article, we see examples of several “mom-trepeneurs;” one runs an an online skincare products site, one works as a part-time writer and editor, and our last example is a pair of mom friends with a flair for decor who met and developed a design business through email and social media. Now it’s a thriving home interior and design store!
When introducing electronics into a child’s life, appropriate device use doesn’t just happen. Kids need coaching and rules to understand how to use smartphones, tablets and computers in a healthy manner that works for you and your kids.
That’s where a digital contract comes in to help. It is an agreement between you and your child/children on what is considered appropriate electronic use in your home. Details will vary by family, but could include, for example, amount of time on the computer, iPad or iPhones, allowable Websites and apps, allowable locations for using devices.
Please read this guidance for creating a digital contract for your family in this story on BayState Parent.
Anxiety among kids is on the upswing – and is now the leading mental health issue among children in America. Why? In this article on BayState Parent, some medical and neurological experts note that social media use is stressing kids out and giving them an unrealistic view of the world. Near-constant device use is causing mental health issues for many, and making it more difficult to escape the very factors that give them anxiety.
Do you think social media is contributing to negative feelings among kids? How much access do your children have to social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat? Leave me a comment and let’s chat!
Got a kid who melts down easy and needs a little support with learning how to regulate emotions and react to stressful or difficult situations? A video game developed by a team of experts at Boston Children’s Hospital aims to help children learn emotional regulation through play.
Mightier, by Neuromotion Labs, is a gaming platform that allows kids to have fun and learn how to calm down with the use of a tablet, an app and a heart rate monitor.
Social media adds much to our lives: friend connections, socializing, funny memes, political arguments (OK, maybe not ALL of it is positive). But putting yourself out their on a social network also brings risk into your life. Criminals know how much we love to log on and be social, and these sites are common targets for cons. Falling for these schemes sets you up for a malware infection on your device, or even a financial loss if someone manages to fool you into sending them money.
Be on guard for the darker activity making the rounds on social media. Check out these social media scams currently making the rounds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other popular sites.
Technology is a constant in many kids’ lives today, and that presents both gifts and challenges. We all want our kids to be healthy, stay active and refrain from too much device use. How can you engage in a conversation with your kids and get their attention?
Author Laurie Work says drop the nagging, and engage in a conversation about the risks of device overuse. Explain to them the “why” in the importance of getting space from devices.
Facebook has launched an app that allows kids under 13 to message with other users their parents approve. Facebook still requires members to be 13 and older. The new app, called Messenger Kids, allows users under the age of 13 to send texts, videos and photos; they can draw on the pictures they send and add stickers.
I’m getting many questions from fellow CyberSavvy Parents out there who want to know the best recourse for protecting yourself and your credit after the massive breach announced earlier this month by Equifax.
A quick explainer if you’re not familiar with the breach I am referring to:
Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, reported earlier this month that cybercriminals had gained access to the personal information of approximately 143 million consumers. The information included social security numbers, addresses and other personal information that can be used to create credit accounts in your name and can also be sold for profit on the black market.
The answer to “what now?” is not that easy. Some experts, like Terry Cutler, a security advisor who gets into suggestions in the video below, advise that you consider freezing your credit. Freezing your credit is just what it sounds like: it puts a freeze on any new lines of credit that can be opened with your social security number. You implement the freeze and you initiate the “unfreezing” of your credit as well with a personal identification number or other type of locking key/code that you establish when you initiate the freeze.
My issue with advising millions to freeze their credit is that this is not an easy on/off process and can be a headache, as explained in this article. Is it an option? Yes. But don’t think it is a “quick fix” to your personal, sensitive information hanging out there for criminals to use.
More importantly: monitor your credit report vigilantly. This was important before Equifax became headline news, and is now even more so. If you have minor-aged children (and I assume if you’re reading this site you likely do), then check on their social security numbers too, frequently, to ensure there is no credit taken out in their names. How do you do this? Unfortunately you need to take your inquiry back to the source of our headache: the credit reporting bureaus. In addition Equifax, credit bureaus TransUnion and Experian need to be contacted to get a complete picture of what you have out there for credit lines. All three bureaus also need to be contacted if you choose to freeze your credit.
I don’t promote specific products on this site, but there is the option of enrolling in a credit monitoring service for your entire family. Google search for some options and do your homework before signing on to any service. And, no, I don’t recommend the service Equifax offered for “free” after they announced their breach. That was a public relations disaster of epic proportions and another topic for another day.
For today, my advice is what is often is: stay aware, be vigilant. Keep on top of your credit accounts, bank accounts, loans, anything you have out there. And look out for new lines you didn’t open. That includes your kids’ credit too.
These are tough times and the bad guys seem often to remain one step ahead of us when it comes to trying to take our good name, credit and money for their own nefarious purposes. But be your own cyber warrior and be tough and aware. Your best defense is always knowledge.
Cyber Savvy Mom 