CIO Q&A: Importance of Parent Involvement w/ Kids Online Activities

A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released findings from a comprehensive study on the impact social media has on kids and families. The study found real benefits to kids using sites like Facebook, including increased communication, access to information and help in developing a sense of self. However, there can be serious downsides to all this access and online sharing, including cyber-bullying, online harassment, inappropriate relationships, and depression. Unfortunately, we see the same issues occurring today, though the study was released a few years ago and we need your help! Yukon Public Schools integrates digital citizenship lessons throughout a students education with our District and utilizes several tools to help identify and address cyber-bullying and potential self-harm situations before they escalate. More information on how we do this is provided below: Securly Web Filtering. Auditor | Self-Harm Monitoring & Cyber-bullying Detection. We are constantly looking at how we can improve our digital citizenship resources. However, with the many tools, procedures and educational opportunities we use to protect kids while at school using technology resources, the best line of defense is parent involvement and working with your child(ren) while at home! We have provided several resources below for parents/guardians to help better understand common online activities and how you can work with your child(ren) from CommonSenseMedia.org - a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. 4 Ways to Help Teens Avoid Digital Harassment.. Downloadable Fact Sheets & Information. Teens and Smartphones : How many teens own smartphones, how much do they use them, and what are they doing on them? Television- and Video-Viewing Habits : How are tweens and teens watching TV shows and online videos: on televisions, smartphones, computers, or tablets? Digital-Equity Gaps : How do media and device access and usage differ among children from lower-, middle-, and higher-income homes? Homework and Multitasking : To what extent are teens using screen media for homework, and how do they feel about multitasking while doing homework? Parents and Media : What do parents know about their kids' media use, and how do parents and children talk about media, including what they do online, which games they play, and how they use social media? Media-Use Profiles : Tweens and teens differ widely in what media they use and how they use it; what are the major media-user profiles? Reading in the Digital Age : Is reading still an important part of tweens' and teens' lives? How does print reading compare to e-reading, and for how long are young people reading? Understand the Amount of Time Your Child Spends Online . The following are statistics from a national survey conducted in 2015 by CommonSenseMedia.org.... Additional Resources for Parents. Common Sense Media ( www.commonsensemedia.org ). Has lists of Internet Safety Tips for all school aged children and Family Tip Sheets detailing all sorts of things including Safe Online Talk, Common Sense Online Security, as well as about 40 other topics. ConnectSafely ( www.connectsafely.org ). Provides news, perspective and advice on safe, successful use of social media and technology for parents, kids & teens, educators and policymakers worldwide. Includes a Parents Guide to SnapChat, Parents’ Guide to Facebook, Parents’ Guide to Cyber Security, and Parents’ Guide to Instagram. GetNetWise ( www.getnetwise.org ). A public service website sponsored by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences. It is a culmination of articles across the internet about the latest threats and advice around the safe use of the internet. The GetNetWise coalition wants Internet users to be just "one click away" from the resources they need to make informed decisions about their and their family's use of the Internet. GetNetWise is a project of the Internet Education Foundation. The Internet Keep Safe Coalition ( www.iKeepSafe.org ). Is an international alliance of more than 100 policy leaders, educators, law enforcement members, technology experts, public health experts and advocates. Through this network of support, iKeepSafe tracks global trends and issues surrounding digitally connected products and their effect on children. This website has a number of articles, a blog, information and products available to keep children Internet safe. Staysafe (www.staysafeonline.org ). Is an educational website created by and powered by the National Cyber Security Alliance. It has a number of tips and articles on how to stay safe online. Checkout their most recent article for parents: Social Cyber Threats Facing Children & Teens in 2018: https://staysafeonline.org/blog/social-cyber-threats-facing-children-teens-2018/