Helping familes to be smart, secure and civil online
Have you ever offered your child an iPad to play games in order to get some uninterrupted time to cook dinner, or to do some work around the house? Many of us have. It’s common for parents to allow young kids to play games on parent-owned phones or tablets.
But a new report from security firm Rubica finds many gaming apps for kids contain significant security risks and may not be safe for use. Find out more in this Cyber Savvy Mom column on BayState Parent.
*Image by Hal Gatewood
Too much time using apps like Snapchat and Instagram could be having a negative impact on girls’ mental health. Read more in this month’s BayState Parent CyberSavvy Mom column.
*Image by Steinar Engeland
We have been advised to stay off public WiFi networks because they are inherently risky. If you care about security and privacy, don’t jump on WiFi just because you HAVE to get access to something on your laptop.
But do you listen? No!
Apparently, no one is listening. Public, free WiFi is still increasingly popping up…well, everywhere. It’s in coffee shops, airports, it is even available in municipalities around the globe because many cities are developing free, public WiFi to power their own connected, smart cities initiatives.
Just how risky is WiFi these days? As this excellent Consumer Reports article notes, most sensitive data is now sent through encrypted channels. Many of the risks with public WiFi have faded since many adults began their online lives, according to Chester Wisniewski, a principal research scientist for the British cybersecurity firm Sophos.
This article breaks down the concerns that still exist with using public WiFi, and steps you can take to stay safe (or at least a bit safer) when using a public network.
*Image source: Bernard Hermant on Unsplash
This month’s column in BayState Parent encourages parents to rethink screen time for children.
A recent 60 Minutes segment reports on a landmark study of more than 11,000 kids to gauge the effect screen time is having on their brains. Initial brain scans from the study conclude that children who spend more than seven hours a day on screens experience premature thinning of the cortex. The report also notes that younger children who have more than two hours of screen time a day receive lower scores on tests focused on thinking and language skills.
With devices everywhere now, how can parents place acceptable limits on screen time? Check out my CyberSavvy Mom column for advice.
Want to know if your email information has been leaked on the dark web? Many email addresses, and associated passwords, have been compromised in recent data breaches. A breach is an incident where data has been unintentionally exposed to the public. Criminals then often make lists of this information and place them on dark web sites for others to view in order to access your account and steal sensitive data (think: financial account information).
Use this link (listed again below) to enter your address (or any address you want to check). If you have been “p0wned” – a term meaning exposed – your first step is to change the password associated with that account.
Other important tips: Do not reuse passwords across accounts, and always use strong passwords. Get tips for creating strong passwords here.
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.
Learn more about the vulnerability in this Newsweek story.
*Image credit: Check Point
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!
Cyber Savvy Mom 