December 12, 2018Comments are off for this post.

5 Reasons Online Gaming Can Be Good for Kids

In 1958, physicist William Higinbotham introduced Tennis for Two, a virtual game designed to entertain visitors at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. It was an immediate hit, and has gone down in history as being one of the first video games ever invented. Technology has advanced exponentially since then — simple Pong games are a thing of the past and today’s complex alternatives are available on everything from consoles and computers to mobile devices. Clearly, people (both adults and children alike) are just as fascinated with video games as they were 60 years ago.

However, people have also grown increasingly critical of video games in the decades since, and many are are quick to blame them for kids’ bad habits or behavior. When we remember that video games were originally designed to entertain users — or in Higinbotham’s case, to change the science-exhibit experience — it’s easy to see that they aren’t all bad. Let’s take a look at some of the ways video games can benefit kids.

1. Online gaming can aid development

A lot of research delves into technology’s negative impact on childhood development, but according to one study published in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience journal, the results are somewhat inconclusive — author Marc Palaus says “it’s likely that video games have both positive (on attention, visual, and motor skills), and negative aspects (risk of addiction), and it is essential that we embrace this complexity”.

While it’s not recommended that children be exposed to technology at a young age, it’s also important to realize that it can’t be avoided forever. And it doesn’t have to be! Repetitive exposure to early-learning concepts — words and numbers, shapes and symbols (many of which are prevalent in children’s video games) — can help aid in the development of hand-eye coordination, logic, critical thinking, problem solving, and memory retention skills.

Video games can be social

2. Online gaming can be social  

One of the largest arguments against videos games (and screen time in general) is that they contribute to social anxiety and isolation among kids — but that theory doesn’t consider that many games now have social elements such as multiplayer modes and chat, which can benefit kids in the long run. A study from Columbia University found that children who play video games are more socially competent than those who don’t play: “Video game playing is often a collaborative leisure time activity for school-aged children,” explains one of the researchers, “and these results indicate that children who frequently play video games may be socially cohesive with peers and integrated into the school community.”

3. Online gaming can be educational

More and more parents are beginning to understand that it’s the quality, not quantity, of children’s screen time that makes a difference. The good news is that many games are made specifically to help children learn at every age — young kids, for example, can enjoy studying math with virtual pizza slices and sea animals. And there is some research that suggests playing video games might have a positive long-term effect on teens’ abilities to learn: “When you play online games you’re solving puzzles to move to the next level and that involves some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading, and science,” says Alberto Posso of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

4. Online gaming can introduce kids to new interests

Growing up with PlayStation and Xbox is entirely different from growing up with Atari, Super Nintendo, and Sega consoles. For starters, today’s platforms have interactive, social aspects that weren’t available even 20 years ago, but they also give kids access to a variety of creative content. From sports and race cars to art and puzzles, games give children the opportunity to explore their individual interests. Plus, with so many free apps and platforms available, video games have become an accessible format through which kids can express themselves.

5. Online gaming can be fun

There is some research that suggests video games are an effective stress reliever for adults, so who’s to say they don’t do the same for kids? While many conversations focus on the negative impacts of screen time, parents also need to remember that video games are enjoyable for kids. After a busy day of school, homework, and soccer practice, relaxing with a game can give children some quiet, stress-free leisure time.

Video games may have a bad reputation, but if we look beyond the surface, there are plenty of ways that they can be a valuable source of entertainment and education for kids. Even so, it’s important for parents to monitor kids’ online activity to ensure that they have safe and positive experiences — when properly managed, there’s no reason kids shouldn’t be given the opportunity to play.

Photo Credits: Syda Productions / Shutterstock Inc., Freer / Shutterstock Inc., LightField Studios / Shutterstock Inc.,  WeAre / Shutterstock Inc.

November 23, 2018Comments are off for this post.

Do Your Kids Know the Difference Between ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Media?

Spotting the difference between legitimate information and fake news is hardly child’s play. In fact, many adults struggle in the era of misinformation on the internet, even though they might say otherwise. According to a survey by The Economist, 70% of Americans have some confidence in their ability to spot fake news, but a different study by MIT found that people unwittingly believe and share fake news 20% of the time. With this in mind, it’s easy to understand why everyone — regardless of age — needs to understand the difference between what’s real and what’s fake.

Distinguishing “good” media from “bad” media is especially important today since many disreputable outlets and social media accounts purposefully push false narratives for clicks. But it goes far beyond media outlets. “Good” media is unbiased, fact-based, unaltered, and verified content in all its forms (news, video, memes, apps, instant messaging, podcasts, and websites). “Bad” media is the opposite: biased, misleading, doctored, and sensational. Sometimes it’s easy to tell the rumor-based nonsense from the truth, but fake news is oftentimes disguised as credible journalism.

defining fake news

Defining fake news

Another way to look at what separates good from bad is the purpose of the content: is it truly meant to inform or entertain the reader, or is it meant to confuse and trick them? The Center for Information Technology and Society at UC Santa Barbara says fake news has many intentions: to influence a political campaign, to harvest personal data, to sell products through deceptive tactics, and to inject falsehoods into mainstream reporting, among other things.

In other words, fake news is hard to identify because it takes so many different forms, which Penn State University categorizes as:

  • Satire: humorous and exaggerated
  • Bias: heavily opinionated and misinformed
  • Rumor mill: unverified and outlandish
  • State news: manipulative and widespread
  • Junk science: conspiracy theories and fallacies
  • Clickbait: deceptive and misleading

With this in mind, it’s easy to see how many people can be tricked into sharing different types of fake news — they might misunderstand satire or try to helpfully share a health “tip” with friends that’s accidentally misinformed. What’s more, false information is likely to spread much more quickly (and therefore reach many more people) than the truth. Though these things may not seem applicable to young kids, it’s only a matter of time before they do become relevant, so it’s essential to teach children about these potential dangers when they first start to engage with media both online and off.

Kids and fake news

Common Sense Media recently conducted a survey among preteens and teens (age 10 to 18) to determine what role the news (whether real or fake) plays in their everyday life. Results were mainly positive: younger generations see a lot of value in information, with more than two-thirds of respondents saying that the news makes them feel smart and knowledgeable. Many teens also recognize bias in media, particularly as it relates to race and gender. Those surveyed also understand the importance of news sources—66% trust information that comes from their family “a lot”, and many others trust their teachers. But when asked to identify their preferred method of receiving news, online sources clearly won.

So what conclusions can be drawn from this research? First and foremost, children today are engaged in and curious about the world; they want to know what’s happening both in their community and beyond. Second, the internet is their main source of information — and thankfully, they understand that it can’t be trusted entirely.

Consequences of believing fake news

Fake news travels fast

Not being able to separate the truth from the lies can have lasting consequences, especially given how easy fake news can be shared using modern technology. Take 13-year-old Chloe, for example—she once shared a story about the death of a celebrity, which turned out to be a hoax. When she realized she had spread fake news, she reported feeling stupid and embarrassed. And she’s certainly not alone in feeling this way. One study found that many kids are worried about their ability to distinguish real from fake on social media, and two-thirds of those surveyed said fake news makes them less trusting of the news in general.

It makes sense, especially when you consider how quickly fake news can spread—something one CBC reporter discovered after inaccurately Tweeting about a terrorist attack in Toronto. By the time a correction was made, the wrong information had been retweeted nearly 1,600 times (comparatively, the correct Tweet was shared less than 200 times). Unfortunately, due to social media’s speed and breadth, trustworthy and impartial sources can oftentimes be lost or distorted.

Due to fake news, some kids (and adults) may want to ignore media completely and question everything they see online. But having so little trust in the news isn’t completely helpful, either. More than anything, social media users, search engine operators, and content consumers need to do more to combat “bad” media — we can all benefit by putting our digital literacy skills to use.

Photo Credits:  Matryoha / Shutterstock Inc., AlesiaKan / Shutterstock Inc., VTT Studio / Shutterstock Inc.

November 19, 2018Comments are off for this post.

Fact or Fiction: Does Too Much Screen Time Lead to Anxiety?

Kids’ mental health has always been a concern for parents. But now, thanks to increased technology, it’s even trickier to navigate. From cyberbullying to social validation, there are plenty of online activities that can have a negative impact on your kids’ emotional wellbeing — depression, isolation, and anxiety are just a few of the biggest concerns today. And it’s not just what kids do online that has an effect. Screen time alone has become one of the largest threats to 21st-century parents. It’s an oft-debated topic that even medical professionals don’t agree on. One thing we do know, however, is that anxiety in children and teens has reached an all-time high — and there’s no signs of it slowing down. Is screen time to blame?

Popular opinion

Media and technology have long been linked to developmental issues in young children — and many of the same opinions are still upheld today. A recent article published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cites surveys dating all the way back to 1930, claiming that “children experience acute fearful reactions to various aspects of the content of media, especially movies, television dramas, and the news.” The same article also delves into self-image and self-esteem issues. Thanks to presenting viewers with attractive, idealized versions of people, media can easily lead to “dissatisfaction with oneself”.

But that’s only in relation to traditional forms of media (TV shows, movies, magazines). The modern landscape is even more convoluted thanks to social media platforms, which the AAP also claims have been associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in kids and young teens. And today, children are exposed to more screens — smartphones, tablets, computers — and more channels than ever before, making them that much more susceptible to anxiety-inducing content and behavior.

Screen time and mental health

One of the things discussed in the AAP’s article is that many children now struggle with “emotion regulation” (or emotional intelligence) — the ability to process and manage strong (sometimes uncomfortable) feelings. It makes sense. For kids and adults alike, escaping into a digital world is an easy, accessible way of coping: “Research has shown that individuals with internet overuse or addiction report using it to avoid negative emotions, such as anxiety and depression,” writes the AAP. Unfortunately, using technology and media for this purpose is believed to affect children’s ability to regulate their emotions. It’s a difficult cycle that many kids struggle to get out of, which can eventually impact their overall mental health.

Furthermore, as children grow older and become active participants in the online world, social media will inevitably come into play. Kids and young teens with Facebook or Instagram accounts constantly compare themselves to others, affecting self-esteem. Kids might also suffer from a fear of social isolation — connectivity can often be addicting — and of course cyberbullying, which can have a devastating effect on kids’ mental wellbeing, is a concern.

Social anxiety can impact kids through adolescence

Feeling anxious

Social anxiety disorder goes way beyond “shyness”. According to Dr. Anne Marie Albano director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, the social phobia can greatly impact kids throughout adolescence: “Children who avoid raising their hand or speaking up in school can become tweens who withdraw from extracurricular activities, and then teens who experience isolation and depression.” What’s more, Alabano suggests that kids can exhibit signs of social anxiety disorder at the age of three or four, which coincides with the age many children are introduced to independent screen time.

A story published by Psychology Today further attributes social anxiety to too much screen time. They claim that children today don’t feel obligated to interact with their peers face-to-face nearly as much as previous generations, and thus never build the social skills required to navigate emotional or social situations. Unfortunately, this leads them to spend more time online, which further contributes to their feelings of anxiety and isolation. “The more a child hides behind a screen, the more socially awkward he or she becomes, creating a self-perpetuating cycle,” writes Dr. Victoria L. Dunckely. “In contrast, a shy child who continually works at overcoming social anxiety is likely to overcome it.” In other words: screen time has a major impact on a child’s ability to develop proper social skills.

We may not have any concrete answers about the quantity of kids’ screen time — no one knows for sure how much is too much. But the one thing all medical and child development professionals do seem to agree on, is the harmful effects of screen time, especially in relation to anxiety. So, when it comes to keeping kids safe online, it’s essential that parents keep track of just how much time children spend on their phones and tablets. Set up daily time limits and stick with them and make time for your kids to interact with friends in an offline setting — their wellbeing depends on it.

Photo Credits: vinnstock / Shutterstock Inc., Sharomka / Shutterstock Inc., riggleton / Shutterstock Inc., Twin Design / Shutterstock Inc.

November 8, 2018Comments are off for this post.

Why Digital Literacy is More Important Than Ever

As we’ve gained more and more access to digital content (be it news, entertainment, or a combination of the two), we’ve had to more thoroughly question and define how we interact with it. This has resulted in the emergence of two terms: media literacy and digital literacy. To put it simply, media literacy is the ability to contextualize and analyze the information we see, both  online and off. Digital literacy, on the other hand, refers to the ways we create and share online media.

But these broad definitions don’t really capture how intertwined, and absolutely essential both of these skills are — they’re needed for virtually every part of our lives (work, school, socializing, and beyond). As MediaSmarts, a not-for-profit Canadian digital resource program, points out, “although digital and media literacy both draw on the same core skill of critical thinking, the fact that most digital media are networked and interactive raises additional issues and requires additional habits and skills.” In their words, “media literacy generally focuses on teaching youth to be critically engaged consumers of media, while digital literacy is more about enabling youth to participate in digital media in wise, safe, and ethical ways.”

So, what do kids need in order to effectively practice digital literacy? The Tech Edvocate has identified four main pillars:

  1. Access: understanding how to use computers and the internet.
  2. Authorship: identifying who creates online media.
  3. Representation: discerning what content is trustworthy.
  4. Social responsibility: sharing online content in an ethical way.

These pillars may seem like no brainers — after all, adults exercise digital literacy everyday. From managing photos in the Cloud and reading a Yelp restaurant review, to researching how to teach media literacy at home, nearly all of our online activities require some understanding of access, authorship, representation, and social responsibility. But for kids and young teens, it’s not that simple, and the need for digital literacy will only increase as we become more interconnected — it’s now necessary for parents and teachers to meld HTML with the ABCs.

School’s in session

Much like parents are focusing on teaching digital literacy at home, schools are also beginning to adjust their curriculums for the tech-driven era. The Province of British Columbia, for example, has laid out a specific model for exploring digital literacy in the classroom — its framework focuses on six characteristics (many of which are similar to the Tech Edvocate pillars listed above) that educational leaders believe are required for success in the 21st century:

  1. Research and information literacy: using digital tools to collect and analyze information.
  2. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making: making informed decisions with the help of online tools and resources.
  3. Creativity and innovation: developing creative and innovative products/processes using technology.
  4. Digital citizenship: practicing legal and ethical behavior online.
  5. Communication and collaboration: using technology for individual and collaborative learning.
  6. Technology operations and concepts: understanding digital systems and operations.

Teaching digital literacy can begin as early as kindergarten, and continue all the way through middle school and high school. The provincial curriculum suggests instructors use innovative and interactive methods, like email pen pals and media-rich presentations, to educate kids about correct computer terminology, coding, troubleshooting, and online citing/sourcing, among other digital literacy concepts.

Comprehending digital literacy

Higher education

Aside from learning how to use and interact with online media, having a well-rounded understanding of digital literacy requires that kids fully comprehend the power of the internet. Behavioral basics (like refraining from cyberbullying) are imperative, but so is the ability to understand the internet’s infinite memory. Young children don’t always realize that something as innocuous as a photo can last forever online, even if it’s been “deleted” — digital footprints are easy to trace back to an individual. What’s more, in an era when music, film, memes, and photos are accessible to anyone with wifi, teaching students to recognize creative ownership is integral from a young age. According to MediaSmarts, children as young as seven years old can recognize that copying is wrong — there’s a clear villan (the copier) and victim (the person being copied). Online plagiarism, however, can feel somewhat anonymous (read: victimless), and therefore more difficult for children to identify as being morally wrong.

Despite its importance, digital literacy is not being taught as much as it should be. In 2015, the Canadian Science Policy Centre recognized the urgent need for a comprehensive and accessible curriculum, recommending that the Canadian federal government create a digital literacy strategy that is inclusive for all students and provide training for education. However, three years later, there’s still no blanket curriculum in Canada, or the U.S. for that matter. This is clearly a complicated and ever-evolving field — hence why federal governments have yet to land on a consensus. But one thing is clear: we should all be doing more to teach our kids about digital literacy.

Photo Credits: fotosparrow / Shutterstock Inc., AlesiaKan / Shutterstock Inc., Syda Productions / Shutterstock Inc., BigTunaOnline / Shutterstock Inc.

October 31, 2018Comments are off for this post.

Tech Exposure by Age: How Much is Too Much?

Parenting can sometimes feel like a never-ending multiple-choice test. Breast or bottle feed? Cry it out or co-sleep? The Montessori Method or standard curriculum? The decisions are endless, and because no two families are the same, it’s difficult to determine which option is the right option — the same goes for today’s tech-based parenting dilemmas.

One of the most pressing questions parents have revolves around screen time. There’s plenty of doom-and-gloom news about how kids interact with tech (and its correlation to mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety). But this often doesn’t align with the positive outcomes parents and kids have enjoyed from educational and creative digital content. So the question remains: how much is too much? We’ll let the research do the talking.

Tech exposure for pre-toddler

Age 0–2

When it comes to the pre-toddler set, it’s tummy time, not tech time. Most pediatric associations are united in their recommendations that parents avoid screen time for babies. Recently, however, the debate was reopened because the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its stance on the topic: they’ve claimed that a little Skype or FaceTime activity is okay for 18- to 24-month-olds. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), on the other hand, held firm on its zero-tech stance for children under two.

It’s too much when: Babies and young toddlers are regularly exposed to tech, be it TV or mobile device.

Age 2–5

So, how should tech be introduced once it’s allowed? The Canadian Paediatric Society has a lot to say on the topic. When it comes to TV, they recommend a maximum of two hours of “well-designed, age-appropriate programs with specific educational goals” (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a little less, capping out at one-and-a-half hours for kids between 18 months and five years). That said, the CPS also recognizes that introducing toddlers to technology can be valuable, stating “there is early evidence that interactive ‘learn-to-read’ apps and e-books can build early literacy by providing practice with letters, phonics, and word recognition.”

It’s important to note, however, that there are consequences of allowing young kids to exceed two hours of screen time daily. Though test results are mixed, links have been found between screen exposure (more than two hours for kids 12 months or younger, or more than seven hours for older children) and speech impediments, among other developmental problems. However, the CPS and AAP note that there are actions parents can take (like actively monitoring content and combining screen time with tactile playtime) to boost the quality of your kids’ time spent online.

It’s too much when: Young children are exposed to more than two hours of passive screen activity (e.g. watching YouTube videos).

Tech exposure for elementary school children

Age 6+

For elementary school children and young teens, there’s no hard-and-fast rule around screen exposure — and no time limit that pediatricians or child psychiatry experts agree on. Instead, institutions like the CPS, AAP, and Mayo Clinic suggest parents should take an engaged approach. Your kids’ moods, behaviors, and social interactions can be indicators of too much screen time; technology shouldn’t interfere with school, outdoor and social activity, or sleep.

On one side, there are many research papers that claim technological devices negatively affect kids’ “executive functions”, an umbrella term used to describe the process children use to control their behavior and emotions. But because the study of children’s mental health is so complex and multifaceted, research methods and conclusions are constantly evolving. There are also several reasons to let your kids use technology. The CPS points out, for example, that tech can democratize the learning process for children and provide a portal to advanced learning: “...among children whose families own a laptop or mobile device, barriers to accessing and using educational content have almost disappeared”.

It’s too much when: Technology impacts your kids’ mood, behavior, or ability to socialize with family and peers.

There’s plenty of research to back up how much screen time is too much for babies and toddlers. As kids get older, however, these “rules” become trickier to navigate, so regardless of age, parents should focus on the quality of their kids’ screen time rather than the quantity. Reading e-books and playing educational games, for example, are much different than mindlessly scrolling on social media. Keep in mind that guidance from the experts is just that — guidance. Use these benchmarks as a starting point and build on them as you figure out how best to monitor your kids’ tech usage in a way that’s safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Photo Salsa: shurkin_son / Shutterstock Inc., Zoia Kostina / Shutterstock Inc., Chinnapong / Shutterstock Inc.

October 29, 2018Comments are off for this post.

It’s Okay to Monitor Your Kids’ Gaming Activity — Here’s Why

Many parents agree that games and apps are helpful in increasing their children’s love of puzzles, reading, writing, language, math, music, and imagination. But parents also know that there are inherent risks involved with letting their kids go online. This often leaves us at a crossroads — should we give our kids creative freedom, or try to protect them?

Monitor online activity

To monitor or not to monitor — that is the question

There are several reasons why parents might feel conflicted in monitoring their kids’ online activity. For one, gaming is a creative outlet that lets kids take control of their own worlds, and checking in or “spying” can stifle a child’s independence. Another reason is that distraction provides some undeniable benefits — parenting is a 24/7 adventure that offers little in the way of downtime; when children are absorbed in a new game or app, screen time can sometimes translate to “me time”. There’s also the drag of having to play the bad cop. If games make kids happy and excited, parents may not want to spoil the fun — especially if their friends are allowed to play.

Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, there are just as many reasons why you do need to monitor your kids' activities. Consider Roblox, an online game with millions of monthly players. Because it’s a user-generated platform, there are thousands of worlds to explore. Some are completely harmless and appropriate for any age, but there have also been several reports of violent or inappropriate content being found in the game. Games with a social aspect (like the ability to chat, leave comments, or interact live with other gamers) represent another pain point for parents as there are several risks involved with letting your kids go on social media, including cyberbullying and the sharing of personal information.

Finding a healthy medium

With all of this in mind, parents have every reason to monitor their kids’ gaming activity...within reason. When a game or app captures a child’s imagination, it can be difficult to wean them off it — and equally tempting to enforce overbearing rules and regulations. But there are a few things parents can do to make safe, proactive choices.

Rankings and ratings
Most games on the market have been ranked. Some are based on ESRB categories (EC for “early childhood” or E for “everyone”); the Apple App Store, on the other hand, ranks games according to age (e.g. “4+” or “9+”). Knowing these rankings and recommendations is a great way to keep your kids safe online.

Parental oversight
Games and apps specifically developed with younger children in mind have several advantages: they prevent exposure to inappropriate content, stimulate development, and come equipped with robust privacy and parental controls. All of this means you can monitor your kids’ activity (passwords, friends lists, avatars, etc.) discreetly and periodically without impacting/removing their sense of autonomy and creativity. But it’s also important for parents to have an understanding of each individual platform, regardless of what age they’re intended for. Does an app frequently display pop-ups that tempt young children with more mature games? Is it easy to turn privacy settings on or off? Does playing a game require access to a device’s camera or microphone?

Constructive conversations
Similarly, there are conversations that parents can have to ensure kids practice safe online behavior. Kids who participate in real-world playdates are expected to follow rules and be respectful with their words and actions — the same standards should be set for gaming and social media. A quick check-in is a reasonable way to monitor what’s happening online. You might also want to ask your children to explain why they love a particular game or app, and what type of content they like or dislike. And, of course, you should encourage them to talk to you about any “red flags” they find online. Having these conversations and putting minor safeguards in place early, can help to eliminate your need to monitor more heavy-handedly down the line.

No parent wants to risk overstepping boundaries and looking like the bad guy, but today’s tech landscape doesn’t leave us much choice. That’s why, in our books, it’s okay for parents to monitor their kids’ gaming activity. So long as you’re taking care to educate kids along the way, while allowing for some independence (harsh gaming restrictions aren’t the answer), you’re keeping them safe — and letting them have a lot of fun, too.

Photo Credits: Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock, goodluz / Shutterstock, Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock, Bloomicon / Shutterstock

October 27, 2018Comments are off for this post.

The Pros and Cons of the Social Era: What to Remember as Your Kids Grow Up Online

It’s not very often that you’ll meet someone who doesn’t have a social media account. Sure, some people may choose to stay off Twitter and others may give up Facebook every once in a while, but the truth is, we’re addicted. Combined, there are more than 5.1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram — and those are just a few of the most popular platforms.

Social media comes with obvious advantages, like the ability to connect with people across the globe. But there are also some inherent risks. We know first hand, for example, that social validation can impact our self-image. Imagine, then, how your kids might feel as they become active participants in these environments. Social media has become such a constant in our own lives that it can sometimes be difficult to take a step back, but there are a few things you should remember as your kids grow up online.

Kids are growing up with instant ways to connect

Not too long ago, keeping in touch with more than a handful of people required a landline telephone, answering machine, and (if you needed to call someone outside your Fave Five list) even a clunky phone book. Today, a simple tap is all it takes to connect with friends, meaning kids are better equipped than ever to stay in touch with the people they meet at summer camp — or that one friend who transfers to a new school in the middle of grade five. As teens learn to navigate these connections on their own (young kids should have some parental guidance), they’ll be able to maintain a wide, and hopefully varied, social circle.

Reminder: Some kids may find it difficult to disconnect, which can eventually lead to digital anxiety (negative feelings around their own use of technology). Beyond that, there’s also a fear that constant digital stimulation can lead to less meaningful interactions in real life.

Kids are growing up in the "sharing" economy

Kids are growing up in the “sharing” economy

Selfies are often viewed as narcissistic and annoying (remember the duck face trend?), but a team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine found that taking and sharing selfies — as opposed to scrolling through other people’s photos — can actually help many teens feel more happy and confident. And because social media platforms are used worldwide, many represent diverse communities. Kids from all walks of life (and all races, religions, genders, and body types) can see parts of themselves represented online.

Reminder: With digital photography comes the opportunity for manipulation. Platforms that allow users to curate content, including Instagram, can have a negative effect on kids’ self-esteem because they present “airbrushed” versions of life that don’t really exist. And, of course, we also have to be wary of the content that publishers and advertisers share — teaching media literacy is key to ensuring that kids have a healthy understanding of the online world.

Kids are growing up with the freedom to express themselves

Kids develop at different rates, and sometimes school can be a lonely place for children who are out of sync with their peer group. But for kids who are interested in “different” stuff, be it Japanese anime or cross-stitching, there’s a place for them on the internet. And there are plenty of ways for kids to express themselves (making and sharing an instructional video, for example), which is an essential part of growing up — a study by the University of Montreal found that allowing children to freely explore their intrinsic interests can be helpful in developing autonomy.

Reminder: Unfortunately, bullying can also take place online — and there’s a likelihood of kids being exposed to inappropriate content. Every interaction (online or otherwise), requires parental supervision to ensure that kids stay safe.

Kids are growing up with unlimited access to entertainment

Kids are growing up with unlimited access to entertainment

One thing kids can easily tap into is all the fun that comes along with the internet. Games, videos, books — there’s an endless amount of fascinating stuff to look at and share. And there are other perks, too. In an interview with the Globe & Mail, tech expert and author Don Tapscott posited that children born in a digital-first world are “the smartest generation”, in part because online activities often require engaging (rather than passive) screen time.

Reminder: Screen time has always been a debated topic. Though the concerns — everything from shrinking attentions spans to depression — are valid, there’s really no consensus on how much is too much. It’s best to ensure there’s a balance between screen time and other activity. According to Dr. Yolanda Reid Chassiakos of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an average day for healthy kids should be divided according to school, homework time, physical activity, social contact, and sleep.

Parents can sometime be more active on social media than their kids. That’s why it’s important to take a step back and remind ourselves about the potential dangers our kids face while growing up online. And no, that doesn’t mean you have to go into hyper-protective mode. Simply being aware of these potential risks is half the battle. To start fighting the other half, read our guide on how to be involved, but not overbearing, in your kids’ online activity.

Photo Credits:  Rawpixel / Shutterstock, Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock, BigTunaOnline / Shutterstock

October 25, 2018Comments are off for this post.

Are Parents the Problem? What Research Shows About Generational Tech Reliance

“They think they know everything, and are always quite sure about it.”

No, that’s not a Baby Boomer talking about a Gen X’er, or a Gen X’er complaining about a Millennial. It’s Aristotle lamenting the youths of his time (in 4th century BC). Clearly, people have been prone to question the behavior of younger generations for, well...generations. And, really, nothing has changed.

Today, we’re quick to claim that kids spend too much time online. But have you ever stopped to look at the ways you interact with technology? Parents have computers, phones, and tablets, too, and there’s plenty of research that suggests adults are equally (if not more) dependent on technology than kids. According to a report by Dscout, the average user touches (i.e. types, taps, swipes, or clicks) their phone 2,617 times a day and spends a total 145 minutes on their phone daily. Unsurprisingly, we’re also hesitant to put our devices down: of 2,000 Americans surveyed by Asurion, 30% said they feel anxious when separated from their devices, and four out of 10 respondents said they’d rather lose their voice for 24 hours than give up their phone for a day.

By looking closely at our own behavior, it’s easy to see where the iGen (children and teens age 6–21) might be getting their tech habits from.

dependence on smart home devices

Home is where the iPads are

These days, houses can be wired for convenience: doorbells double as security cameras, music can be played from bluetooth speakers in every room, and digital assistants are at our beck and call (“Hello, Google”). But there is such a thing as being too dependent on technology — do we really need to do everything (like turning on the heat) from a mobile device? In recent years, “smart home” devices have become as common as coffee tables — more than half of U.S. consumers have at least one, and 27% have more than three. And that’s not even counting the more “standard” tech and devices we have at home; in a recent study, Pew Research Center discovered that more than 50% of U.S. adults own a tablet, and 73% of U.S. adults own a desktop or laptop computer.

No rest for the tech addicted

Parents also tend to set a bad example for their kids by being on their devices late into the evening — haven’t we all been caught reading, checking email, or scrolling Instagram after midnight? In their 2015 Trends in Consumer Mobility Report, Bank of America found that one in four people admitted to falling asleep with their phone in their hand, and 71% of survey respondents said they sleep with their phone right next to their bed. It’s a poor (not to mention unhealthy) habit that, unfortunately, is also being picked up by kids today: one study found that 62% of teens (age 12–20) take their devices to bed with them, 37% text after “lights out”, and one in 12 have been woken up by a text in the middle of the night, which consequently affects their productivity, energy, happiness, and school performance.

texting and driving

License to text

When Volvo commissioned a safe driving study, they found that Gen X’ers (defined as people aged 39–50 with children under 18 years old) are the most likely to use phones while driving — 62% even admitted that they’d do so with children in the car. The reasons why they use their phones in the car is interesting, too: 23% check social media, 60% check texts, and 56% said they can’t resist notifications. When we consider how often parents talk about the dangers of distracted driving, it’s clear that we don’t always practice what we preach. What’s worse, in a survey by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions, 50% of parents admitted that they’ve texted their kids even when they know they’re behind the wheel.

We all want our kids to spend less time on their phones and tablets, but it can be difficult for them to understand why if they see you doing something “against the rules”. So before you ask your children to disconnect, take a closer look at your own actions, and try to set a better example that they can learn from. Less screen time for you can lead to less screen time for them — and potentially more time spent together. Talk about a win-win.

Photo Credits: Leszek Glasner / Shutterstock, Charles Deluvio 🇵🇭🇨🇦 / Unsplash,  Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock

October 21, 2018Comments are off for this post.

The Obvious (and Not-So-Obvious) Risks of Social Media

For many adults, the most dangerous thing about social media is the potential to accidentally like your former high school crush’s photo (especially if it’s a ways down their Instagram grid). But for children, the risks are far more complicated. Today’s most popular social media platforms — Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, to name a few — can’t be trusted to protect kids because they weren’t made for children in the first place. Rather, these platforms are meant to increase followers and engagement (read: revenue). And in this race for growth, creating kid-safe content is low on the priority list.

The biggest threats are easy to identify: cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and the sharing of personal information (name, birthday, location, etc.) have obvious negative impacts for kids, teens, and adults. Statistics Canada reported that one in five people have been victims of online abuse, which includes the sharing of private photos or receiving threats via direct messages. Though young kids aren’t necessarily exposed to this exact activity, it’s only a matter of time before they move from Disney Club Penguin to Reddit. Many children are also at risk of phishing scams — frauds aren’t selective when it comes to ripping people off. And even so-called “positive” online behavior can have consequences; social validation, measured by likes and comments, can cause anxiety and affect children’s self-esteem. But those are just the things we can see at the user-interface level.

There’s so much lurking behind the scenes that it can be hard to quantify exactly how complicated the world wide web really is. Even something as basic as a user profile can be an issue: how are kids supposed to parse real profiles from fake, and genuine interaction from baiting trolls? If a billion-dollar company like Twitter struggles to identify bots with multiple accounts, what chance does a 10-year-old have? And let’s not forget about every social platform’s complicated algorithms. An innocent desire to watch Dora the Explorer can lead to recommended YouTube videos with NSFW language or violent content. It’s a frustrating reality that creators go out of their way to trick kids (and parents) with misleading titles — thousands of popular cartoon characters have been used in bizarre and inappropriate parody videos.

Avoiding inappropriate content is like playing internet Whack-a-Mole — you never know when something will pop up or where it will come from. Transparency and control are the keys to online safety; we shouldn’t have to question the integrity of what kids are exposed to online. Unfortunately, “solutions” often require parents to report when comments and videos are inappropriate; YouTube often relies on viewers to flag violent or discriminatory content. Other social platforms, similarly, expect parents to manually adjust privacy settings that are buried deep within account settings.

Feel confident in letting their children experience the best of technology, risk free with Kinzoo app

What’s more, tech giants have conditioned users to trade privacy for access: many games require social media accounts to earn playtime, free apps are saturated with in-app purchases, and advertisements are repetitive and targeted. Every scrap of data is harvested to create ads that are indistinguishable from genuine user-generated content, especially for kids who are just beginning to explore the online world.

Keeping kids safe on social media is a tricky task. Young kids should only have to worry about connecting, playing, and sharing — and parents should feel confident in letting their children experience the best of technology, risk free.

Photo Credits:  AlesiaKan / Shutterstock, soi7studio / Shutterstock, Piotr Swat / Shutterstock, Twin Design / Shutterstock

October 19, 2018Comments are off for this post.

5 Things You Never Had to Consider as a Kid — and What They Mean to Today’s Parents

Today’s kids will never understand what it means to pay a late fee for a Blockbuster rental, nevermind the floppy disk icon on their apps and devices. Similarly, today’s parents will likely never understand how to play Fortnite, or the meaning of “IMO” and “TBH”. And that’s okay. It’s normal for these gaps to exist between generations, but that doesn’t mean parents should take a backseat. As technology continues to advance, parents need to try their best to keep up — and part of that involves identifying how things have changed and adapting our parenting techniques accordingly.

We never had to worry about a constant influx of news

“News” used to be something that occured once or twice a day — when the morning paper arrived on the doorstep and when the 6 o’clock news aired on TV. But where, when, and how we consume media has come a long way since then. Today, news (sometimes more bad than good) is constantly delivered online, which has led many modern parents to exhibit fearful behavior — according to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, 48% of kids would bike or walk to school in 1969, but this number dropped to just 13% by 2009. The world isn’t necessarily worse off than it was when we were kids, but the 24/7 news cycle definitely makes it feel like a more dangerous place and today’s parents tend to exercise extra caution for everything, including technology.

Never had to worry about the permanence of the internet

We never had to worry about the permanence of the internet

Classroom notes can be ripped up, diaries can be locked away, but online content doesn’t disappear so easily. Thanks to screen-grabbing and cloud technology, a post, photo, or comment can live forever, even if it’s been “deleted” — a scary concept for parents with young children. What’s more, our sense of privacy has been reduced to an online setting. As a result, today’s parents need to educate themselves about these potential risks and learn how to properly communicate their tech decisions to kids (a simple “yes” or “no” isn’t always going to cut it). Explaining the concept of “forever” in Buzz Lightyear terms can help children understand that things shared online will last to infinity — and beyond.

We never had to worry about anonymous bullying

Bullying is hardly a new concept, but the shape and scope of it has changed dramatically since the introduction of the internet. For starters, chat rooms, comment sections, and instant messaging make it difficult for parents to keep up with their kids’ daily interactions — and unlike when we were growing up, conflicts can’t often be resolved by speaking to the principal. It can sometimes feel like there are no real-world consequences, but online harassment can have devastating effects, and it impacts more kids than you may think: in 2016, it was reported that 33.8% of students (age 12 to 17) had been cyberbullied. It’s more important than ever for parents to be aware of and sensitive to their children’s behavior, both online and off.

We never had to worry about taking (or sharing!) selfies

Using a digital camera is miles away from shaking a Polaroid picture. Developing pictures and videos used to require a special trip to the photo lab, but that’s all a vague memory now that everyone has a cell phone. Today, in addition to worrying about what kids are taking pictures of, we also have to monitor how they choose to share these photos — it was easy to know who could see printed photos in an album, but pictures that go online can be shared far and wide (often without your or your kids’ knowledge); private photos shared on Facebook, for example, are still linked to an individual account that can be targeted by hackers and trolls. Parents also have to be aware of the growing culture of social validation that surrounds all social media. 

We never had to worry about keeping up with the Kardashians (or anything else for that matter)

Back in the day, TV shows aired once — and only once. If you missed an episode of Growing Pains, you would have to rely on a friend to recount the details. Similarly, getting hold of the new Prince album required a trip to the record store, reading the latest celebrity interview meant buying a magazine, and being one of the first to see Madonna’s newest video required staying up late to watch MTV. Now, all of this is available at the touch of a button, and staying on top of all the omg-you-have-to-see-this content, can sometimes feel like more work than play. It’s equally, if not more, important to keep up with your kids’ content in addition to your own; by knowing what your kids are consuming online, you can help them make smart and safe decisions.

Parenting today is different than it was a decade ago. We may not like watching unboxing videos or making slime out of glue — but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate that our kids do like those things. So, while we can’t keep our finger on the pulse of every trend, it’s important to remain cognizant of how are kids are interacting with technology and to create a safe space at home to talk about these digital risks and rewards.

Photo Credits: Syda Productions / Shutterstock, jfk image / Shutterstock, charnsitr / Shutterstock, happydancing / Shutterstock