NetSmartz.org

NSTeens NetSmartz Kids NetSmartz411.org Español
Thanks to Club Penguin for helping children stay safter online!
Press

Social Networking: Just for Kids?

12/31/2008
MySpace. Facebook. MyYearbook. Imbee.

If you have tweens or teens, social networking sites are probably familiar to you. After all, every Internet safety organization on the planet (including us!) has urged caution on these popular sites. So you may be wise to the fact that the information your kids post online could affect their reputations, educations, and employment opportunities. But did you know that these sites might soon directly affect you?

In Australia, a couple was served with legal papers via Facebook after lawyers were unable to get in touch with them through more conventional means. Although this was an unusual circumstance, as businesses and governments become more tech-savvy it may become more accepted. So get your resident social networking expert (a.k.a Your Teen) to help you set up a page. It’ll give you a chance to get familiar with the sites they use everyday and ultimately help you keep them safer online. It might even look good on your resume! Social networking: it’s not just for kids anymore.

Comment

Message Sent!
Personal information is not retained.
Privacy Policy

Easier, Faster, but still Illegal

12/17/2008

Methods of illegal downloading have changed in recent years. Kids used to download file-sharing programs like Kazaa, Bearshare, or LimeWire to get free music and movies. This meant increased risks of spyware and viruses, but it also meant parents and guardians had an easier time catching kids in the act since all they had to do was see if these programs were installed on their computers.

But today, illegal downloading is easier and faster than ever thanks to YouTube converters. Kids use these free, online tools to cut and paste an online video's URL, choose a format (mp3, wmv, etc.), and voilà – free music and movies. No software downloads involved!

Kids are quickly embracing media converters – it's fast, easy, and virtually virus-free. Unfortunately for them (and possibly you), it's also illegal, which means they can still face tough penalties. Kids like Whitney Harper and Brianna Lahara have been prosecuted for illegal downloading. Zack McCune, a Brown University student targeted by the RIAA, had to pay $3,000 in fines. Here are some ways to avoid this kind of legal hassle:

  • Check your web history for sites like www.vconversion.com/ or www.vixy.net/ (popular media converters)
  • Set aside allowance money specifically for downloading so your kids don't feel the need to find music and movies illegally
  • Look for affordable and legal music subscription services
  • Start when your kids are young! Talk to them about illegal downloading and its possible consequences

There is still a heated debate between the recording industry and those intent on expanding intellectual property rights (as in this recent case). Someday, it might be legal to share music and movies online without fear of a lawsuit, but that day is not today. So remind your kids that even if the tools have changed, the laws have not and just because it's free, doesn't mean it's right!

Comment

Message Sent!
Personal information is not retained.
Privacy Policy

In One Ear and Staying There

12/10/2008

A new survey shows that Internet safety education works with tweens and teens. Among the more interesting results:

  • Tweens and teens who have been taught about Internet privacy are more likely to practice safer online behaviors
  • Girls are more concerned about Internet privacy than boys
  • Parents have more influence than teachers and peers when educating about Internet safety


 

Good job, parents and guardians! The conversations you have with your kids about Internet safety can actually change their behavior and make them more conscious of being safer online. So take some time to talk with your kids today…chances are they'll listen.

Comment

Message Sent!
Personal information is not retained.
Privacy Policy