10 RISKY APPS. 1. SnapChat. 2.Yik Yak. 3. Whisper. 4. Tinder

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1 10 RISKY APPS When a decision is made to let your child have a phone, that decision comes with a lot of strings attached. It is important for parents to teach their kids that with owning a phone comes great responsibility. Some of the apps that are available are not kid friendly at all, and many parents probably don t realize the hidden dangers in some of them. Whether it be cyber bullying or child predators, there are many reasons why parents should pay more attention to which apps their children are using. Below is a list of the top ten riskiest apps for kids: 1. SnapChat This is one of the most risky of the apps available when it comes to kids. In fact, this sort of app has been in the national news lately due to celebrity nude photos being leaked to the media. This app will automatically delete any photos that are sent within ten seconds of being opened; however, the recipient of the picture can take that ten seconds to take a quick snapshot of the picture. 2.Yik Yak. This is a fairly new app that has become very popular, and it has also raised concerns for parents. This is much like Twitter in the way it works, but it is an anonymity app, which can always be risky. This is an app that has been used for cyber bullying. It has been in the news recently because many school districts across the U.S. has banned the app due to having to deal with bullying. 3. Whisper. This app is one that definitely shouldn t be used by kids. It is a very dangerous app which is an anonymous way to find out if people within close proximity is interested in meeting up. Not only is it popular for sexual interaction and child predators, but for cyber bullying as well. Anyone who has this app is able to contact your kids, and there is no way to ensure who they are interacting with. 4. Tinder In theory, this was meant to be a matchmaking app. It connects with Facebook in order to provide pictures for users to view. It will match people within a close proximity to your location, which is tracked by the phone s GPS. This is an especially dangerous app because kids should not be

2 communicating with strangers. This has become an app for people to meet up and have sexual relations, and it has been at the center of investigations such as sexual harassment. 5. Vine This app was created for video sharing. With this app, users are available to create and share videos that are no more than six seconds in length. This should only be used with monitoring from parents to ensure that inappropriate videos aren t being shared. 6. Tout This is an online social networking service. 7. AskFM When it comes to cyber bullying, this app is one of the worst ways in which bullies can get to their victims. The concept behind the idea was simple enough: basically, it is a social networking app that is completely anonymous. Unfortunately, it is the perfect place for bullies because it is set up as a question and answer forum. This app is especially difficult for parents to monitor. If your child is bullies, you are able to block that person; however, the bully will still be able to see all of the interactions because people can t be totally blocked. 8. Kik This is one of the most popular apps used by kids. It is a combination of an instant messenger system and social networking. It is Internet based, so it is extremely easy for a predator to contact your child. Photos are able to be sent back and forth as well, so that fact alone adds to the riskiness. Private messages can be sent easily which makes it a popular way to sext. 9. Omegle This is a chat app that allows your children to chat with complete strangers. Users are able to chat by regular messaging or with video. It can also be connected to Facebook which allows users to find other users who have similar interests based on their profiles. This app can expose kids to inappropriate things and people. 10. Skout This is a social networking app which allows users to meet, chat and connect with other users. This app is also GPS based so it can be dangerous if kids are chatting with people in close proximity. As you can see, there are many different types of apps that are popular with kids. While a lot of them are fine for kids to use, there are many that are risky. To ensure that your child or teen is using them safely, be open with your kids and talk to them about the different types of dangers with different types of apps. Always remember to stay involved and monitor what your kids are doing on their phones and online.

3 Exactly How Serious Has Cyber Bullying Become? Recent statistics prove that cyber bullying is out of control. For example, here are some of the sad statistics when it comes to this frightening new way of bullying: 1 out of 4 kids are bullied, and of those being bullied, up to 43% were bullied while online Cyber bullying has become a prevalent issue across the world, so this is not an issue that is not only an American issue 95% of teens who use social media have witnessed cruel behavior online 66% of teens who witness online cruelty have also witnessed other teens joining in 90% of teens who witness online cruelty have ignored the behavior because they didn t want to get involved Amazingly, only 7% of parents in the United States are worried about cyber bullying 85% of kids aged 13 to 17 has a social media account Over half of kids who are cyber bullied don t tell anyone According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, Facebook is the social networking site of choice for bullies Over 160,000 students skip school every day because they are scared The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center estimates that nearly 30% of American youth are either a bully or a target of bullying The CDC estimates that there are approximately 4,400 kids who commit suicide each year; when it comes to cyber bullying, there are at least 100 suicide attempts for every suicide among young people

4 Signs Someone You Love Is Being Bullied If you think someone you love is being bullied, there are various signs to look for. Here are just a few things to look for: Withdrawal or avoidance of social get-togethers Unexplainable injuries Lost items such as clothing, books, jewelry, etc. Changes in eating habits Depression and/or anxiety issues Substance abuse It is imperative to pay close attention to your child and or other loved ones, and look for any signs that something might be wrong. It is essential to be proactive at all times.

5 What is the most appropriate age? According to a recent survey, here are some statistics when it comes to kids owning their first Smartphone: 22% of children are 10 years old 14% of children are 13 years old 14% of children are 16 years old 77% of teens aged 12 to 17 own a cell phone KIDS+ SMARTPHONES There will be a time when your child will come to you and ask for a Smartphone. Technology has evolved so much over the years that Smartphones have become a large part of everyone s daily lives. We are able to do most everything on a Smartphone, such as Internet access, music, video games, and more. There are so many different questions that come up when a child wants their own Smartphone. Cyber Bullying and the Smartphone It is essential that parents take the time to monitor their child s texts, s and instant messaging. There is a fine line between monitoring your child and trusting them; however, in this day and age, this type of monitoring must be done to keep your child safe. Hopefully you already have an open and honest relationship with your child, and that you pay attention to what is going on. There are apps that can be installed that will monitor texts, block apps, set time limits on apps and track location by GPS. You are even able to receive alerts, set up the way you want them. One of the best apps on the market is My Mobile Watchdog. This app can do all of this and much more. It is unfortunate that cyber bullying is so prominent among children and teens, but there are many ways in which parents can do their best to educate their children and monitor their Smartphone usage. If a child has a Smartphone then they are able to get access social media networks, such as Facebook, which is the main way that bullies get through. Cyber bullying is a big issue that parents are constantly worrying about, but with monitoring and paying attention to your child, cyber bullies can be defeated. Parents should take the time to monitor their children and teenagers activity online, and this includes Smartphones. Get the best parental control app available at My Mobile Watchdog. It only takes a few minutes of your time to set up the tools of your preference. A few of the things you can do with this app are: block apps, set up time limits, set up alerts and much more. For more information, please visit: References:

6 Sexting has become a huge issue all across the United States with teens and young adults. The issues have even spread into the world of Hollywood with young actresses being exposed online. Everyone is connected at all times in today s high technology world, and there are hardly any times when people are not in touch with each other. We live in a 24/7 society, and it isn t going to change any time soon. It is essential and so important that parents take the time to talk to their children and teens about sexting, even if it is a hard thing to talk about. How to Talk About Sexting Where do you start? Talk to your kids about their social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram, two of the most popular social media sites. Be open with your kids about your social media use and initiate a conversation with them about your activities on social media sites for the day. This might help your child open up more about what they are sharing on social media sites. It might also be helpful to speak with other parents to share ideas about how to handle this delicate situation. Take the time to get to know not only your child s friends, but their parents as well. Here are some very important tips that can be passed along to your kids: Be sure that they are aware that everything they share online can be seen by other people, no matter how private they think they are being Talk to your children about using good judgment and to not disclose too much personal information or photos online Talk to your children about peer pressure, because tweens and teens are feeling pressure to participate in sexting in this day and age Be aware of the sites your children are visiting, including any social media sites they have accounts for How are teens sexting? Depending on the age(s) of your children, they could be using any form of technology to communicate with their friends. In a recent study, it showed that tweens are more likely to be using instant messaging and texting, while teens will use those as well in addition to social media networking sites such as Facebook. Important things to teach your kids It is primarily up to parents to take the time and teach their children and teens about the dangers of being online.

7 Say No! to Sexting It is also important that they know that sexting can be a criminal issue as well, since it involves sending a message with pictures of teens that are inappropriate including being nude or engaged in sexual acts. In many states throughout the United States, sexting is considered a very serious crime. It can effect a teen s life forever because an arrest record will follow you for the rest of your life, especially if they are charged with a crime. In addition, it can set off unwanted bullying at school, or in other social circles. There have been several news stories where teens have taken such drastic measures such as committing suicide because of the many negative effects that the sexting has had on their young lives. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed to every child. Monitor your children and teens It is very important to not only have an open and honest relationship with your kids, but to also take the time to pay attention to the things they are looking at online. A great way to do this is to consider using an app that will help you do all the things needed to keep your children safe, such as monitoring, blocking, filtering and tracking. The best app on the market for monitoring usage of Smartphones is My Mobile Watchdog. They will have everything you need to keep your family safe. For more information: References: res-and-safety-tips/pages/talking-to-kids-and-teens-about-social-me dia-and-sexting.aspx

8 Is there a particular age range? The main questions parents always ask themselves is what age is the right age, and how young is too young? Each and every child is different, and they mature at differing rates. While it is the popular thing for children and teens to have their own cell phones, it might not necessarily be the right thing. Sometimes going against the grain is the right way to go. Here are a few things to think about when contemplating whether or not your child is the right age for their first Smartphone: How mature is your child or teen? It is also important to examine their emotional maturity as well, as this is very important. Do you have any disciplinary issues that you have had to deal with lately? Is your child making good grades in school? You definitely don t want to get something that will interrupt their school work. Your Child s 1st Phone There will come a time for each and every parent when their child will ask for their very own Smartphone. It is a highly debatable subject among parents. Times have definitely changed, as we all live in a 24/7 society, and it is very different than how the adults of today grew up. How do you know when your child is ready for their own Smartphone? There are many things to consider when making this important decision, and it is also essential that you decide how you will handle monitoring their Smartphones. These are very important issues that you need to decide first and foremost. According to a recent CBS article, statistics show that about 80 percent of teens between 12 and 17 own a cell phone, and about half of those own a Smartphone. That rate has gone up every year, and the age of children who have a Smartphone keeps getting younger. Many experts agree that a good age is when a child has entered middle school, as this is when they start experiencing their own independence.

9 Other important things to consider There are other things that need to be considered as well. For one, is another Smartphone in your family s budget? The phones themselves are expensive, not to mention the additional charges on your cell phone bill. Another thing to consider is the fact that for safety reasons, it might be best if your child or teen has their own Smartphone. For instance, if you are a single parent and your child gets to and from school themselves, then it might make sense to have a way for you to get into contact with your child at any time. You have made the decision that your child is ready, so now what? Deciding whether or not your child is ready for their own Smartphone is a very personal decision. A lot of factors need to be examined before making a decision. If you have made the decision that your child is indeed ready for their very own Smartphone, now what are you supposed to do? The most important thing you can do to protect your children is to make sure they know the dangers of surfing the Internet, including social media networking sites. Parents should make sure that they take the time to talk to their children about things such as oversharing on the Internet, texting and driving, and cell phone etiquette in general. When it comes to monitoring your child or teen s online activities, you can count on My Mobile Watchdog. It is a groundbreaking app that has been heralded as the best on the market. With this easy to use app, you are able to monitor, block, filter, track, and even get alerts regarding your child s Smartphone usage. For more information: References: ng/

10 * If You Don t Want To Look Like An Idiot In A Few Years With a new cell phone comes great responsibility. It is a sign of growing up, and it is important to use your phone responsibly. Believe it or not, how you use your phone today can hurt your reputation in the future. 1. Be careful what you share. Never put anything in a text message that you wouldn t want anyone to read. 2. Never, ever sext. The risk isn t worth it, and you don t know where it will end up. These types of texts are something that you don t want to get into the wrong hands. 3. Never bully online. Cyber bullying is something that is unfortunately on the rise. Besides the fact that you should never bully people, it is important to not become a cyber bully. If someone discovers that you are a part of bullying online, this can also cause many unnecessary problems in your life. The things that kids are exposed to every day is something that parents can t completely control; however, there are many valuable lessons that parents can teach their children. For instance, many kids wouldn t think about the backlash that could come in future years after a text has gone out. Social media has made it easier than ever to share things with anyone online, but it is important to know what to share and what not to share because your reputation could be called into question. For instance, this can happen when it comes to job interviews, or even college admittance. The lesson to be learned here is to think twice about anything you send out in a text, and if it isn t something that you wouldn t show your parents, then you probably shouldn t be texting it. If used in the right way, using a smartphone will help build responsibility in your kids. References: what-are-your-kids-really_b_ html New Smartphone? 5 Rules To Follow * 4. Never take inappropriate pictures. It is essential that you never take inappropriate pictures. Surprisingly, these pictures can always be brought back up, so if it is inappropriate, then you probably shouldn t be taking the pictures on your smartphone. 5. Social Media Posts. You would be surprised to see the things that people will post on their social media pages, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It is very important to remember that these posts can also be accessed years later.

11 Good Phone Manners If parents decide that their child is ready for their own cell phone, then it is important for them to know about phone etiquette. In today s society, many people lack basic phone manners, so it is important to teach this important thing to the younger generations. So, once you teach your children about the dangers of cell phones and safety tips, it doesn t stop there. Below are some of the must have manners kids must have when using a cell phone: Be mindful of your surroundings. Cell phones should never be used in places such as schools, libraries, movies, waiting rooms, public transportation, meetings, and more. Using a cell phone in a public place can be very annoying to the people around you. Ensure that your kids know that it is important to be considerate of others at all times. It is extremely rude to the people around you for the ones on their cell phones all the time. Never talk (and text) and drive. This is one of the most important tips that a parent can pass on to their children. In fact, this could be a life-saving tip. No one should ever talk or text while driving. There are even apps that can be downloaded wherein people are unable to answer their phone when driving. This is a very important thing to get across to your kids. Take a break. First of all, even though technology can be wonderful in today s world, it is important to take a break at times. For your home, you might want to set a certain amount of time they spend on their phones. Be a good role model. Always remember that kids will watch everything that you do. Be aware of your own cell phone usage, and practice these tips yourself. Answer mom and dad s calls. If their parents call at any time, children need to answer the phone. Be respectful of times. Teach your children to be polite by not making calls too early or too late. Keep phone on silence. Cell phones can be very distracting to everyone around them. It is important to keep cell phones silenced when out in public as this can be very rude. When a child owns their own cell phone, it can actually help you teach them more about manners and etiquette. If your child is mature enough, and you have talked about the hidden dangers of cell phones, then this can really be a great learning experience. References: s-cell-phone-etiquette/ tte-for-kids/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

12 Parents Guide to Cyber Bullying One of the most important things parents must remember is that times are much different than when they were growing up. While it is true that kids have been bullied for many years, the amount of bullying has increased in frequency. This rings particularly true for the newest form of bullying, which is cyber bullying. Probably the single most important thing that parents can do is to educate their kids on the safety of using social media networks. Research the various ways in which you can help to protect your child, such as parental control apps. Look for an app that can monitor your child s texts, block specific apps that are not kid friendly, set time limits on how often and how long the social media networks can be used, and even track locations by GPS. Don t look at it as though you are spying on your children, but that you are keeping them safe from cyber bullies in addition to all of the other dangers involved while kids are using the Internet. Here are some of the most important things for parents to remember when working to stop cyber bullying: Never tell your child to hit them back Always be supportive and listen to your child s concerns, and it is very important to never judge (i.e. never tell them to just get over it ) Block the bully from all communications, such as s and text messaging For severe cyber bullying, it might be best to seek help from the authorities

13 Examples of Cyber Bullying Minor Cyber Bullying: harassing messages, using the Internet to spread hurtful rumors, vulgar language Major Cyber Bullying: cyber stalking, bullies who have false identities, bullies creating websites, using spyware or spreading viruses

14 A Few Tips for Dealing with a Cyber Bully Don t show emotions such as anger or fear because this is what keeps bullies continue If you aren t scared, then politely ask the bully to leave you alone If you feel you are in any danger whatsoever, speak to a trusted friend or even the authorities Print out and save any evidence, such as photos and text messages Block the cyber bully from your social media sites and How To Deal with a Cyber Bully Cyber bullying is out of control across the United States. This is a new form of bullying in which bullies use the Internet to torment their victims. Bullies are looking for power, and they are more than likely dealing with every low self-esteem. It is important to know how to deal with a cyber bully so the issue doesn t get out of control for anyone involved. Dealing with a cyber bully can be a very scary thing to deal with. Cyber bullying continues to be a growing problem, so it is essential that children and young adults are taught how to handle these situations. Letting this type of bullying go can cause many issues for the victim such as depression, anxiety, withdrawal, and in the most extreme cases, suicide. No one should ever have these feelings due to the actions of another person. Stand strong and don t back down to bullies. It is the only way to defend yourself in these situations. Lastly, never be afraid to ask for help. Parents need to make sure they are doing their part to monitor their kids and teens from this new form of bullying. The best parental control app available today is My Mobile Watchdog. This groundbreaking app allows parents to stay in control of what their children are up to when it comes to using their Smartphones. For more information:

15 Cyber bullying is one of the most serious issues among children and teens. In many cases, it is even an issue for adults, because there is no one safe from cyber bullies. Here are some frightening statistics when it comes to cyber bullying: In a recent survey, 85% of teens aged 13 to 16 has social media accounts, and of those parents polled, 52% are concerned about cyber bullying Cyber bullying can lead to depression, anxiety, poor academic and/or work performance, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts Girls are the worst offenders when it comes to cyber bullying with approximately 2/3 of the cases involved girls It appears as though many parents are doing their part to protect their kids from cyber bullying. Here are a few tips for parent who are unsure how to handle what can be a very scary situation for the victim and their family: Talk to your kids about the dangers of cyber space and how they need to remain vigilant at all times Let your kids know that if they are scared at any time, to ask for help; it is important for them to know that they have someone they can talk to Pay close attention to what your kids are looking at online by monitoring their activities by installing apps and/or monitoring software Teach your kids not to share photos and/or videos with people they don t know Pay attention to their social media sites they are using, such as Facebook Don t hesitate to get the police involved if needed Protect Your Kids from Cyber Bullies If parents take the time to pay attention to what their kids are doing online, then the out of control cyber bullying incidents would happen less often. Remain diligent to protect your children from this often scary type of bullying. There is an app available to parents everywhere that will allow them to monitor exactly what their children are doing. My Mobile Watchdog can help you effortlessly watch what your children are doing. It will bring you a peace of mind that is extremely important for parents to have these days. For more information:

16 What To Do If You Are Bullied No one is safe from being bullied. It can happen to anyone from any race, class, age, or sexual orientation. Not one person is alike in this world, and everyone looks different in some way. Believe it or not, the popular young people are not even immune. One of the most important things to remember if you are the subject of cyber bullying is that you are not alone. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with you. There are many reasons why bullies are the way they are. For instance, many of them suffer from low self-esteem and as crazy as it sounds, it makes them feel better to tear other people down. If you are being bullied, the first thing to do is try to work it out yourself. However, if you feel physically threatened at any time, do not approach the bully alone. If trying to peacefully confront the bully doesn t do any good, and if things don t get any better, or if they get worse, then it is time to ask someone for help. Always be tolerant, respectful, and kind Believe in yourself. Work on your self-esteem if it is low Stand up for each other Don t be a victim Don t show signs of weakness to bullies, such as sadness or anger, as this will only provoke the behavior more Don t respond to text, messages or instant messaging There is always people there for you, even if you don t think so at the time. Think of people who you trust such as a friend, parent, teacher, or school counselor. When it comes to cyber bullying, the bully might try to contact you in various ways such as s, texts or instant messaging. The main thing to remember is to never respond to them. If you are a kid who is being bullied, there are important things that you can depending on if you see it, are being bullied, or the one who is part of the bullying. It is important to know that bullies want you to react to their actions, and they want to hold all the power. Stand strong and never show any weakness because if they sense that you are scared or upset, then they will more than likely continue their bullying ways. If you or someone you love is being bullied, or if you are one of the ones who is carrying out the act of bullying, there are important things to keep in mind when it comes to stop bullying in its tracks.

17 In many instances, teachers are the first ones who might notice the cyber bullying. This fairly new type of bullying has become an issue that is quickly growing out of control. Technology keeps evolving, and as it does, it has garnered both negative and positive attention. As an educator, you have a responsibility to both your students and their parents. Cyber bullying can be extremely damaging to a child s self-esteem. A child being bullied might experience many different issues such as grades dropping, becoming more withdrawn, or show a lack of interest in class. Teachers can definitely do their part to help curb the cyber bullying issues that go on daily in schools all across America. There is help out there for parents who want to keep their children safe. For instance, the best parental control app can be set up both simply and quickly. The app is called My Mobile Watchdog and it has over twenty of the best parental controls available including being able to monitor usage, block apps and other sites, track what your child is looking at, and much more. For more information: Reference: What-Can-Teachers-Do-About-It Here are some important tips for teachers to follow: Be available for your students and have an open door policy to help them feel more comfortable to come to you for help Speak with another person at the school, such as the guidance counselor, to help investigate any incidents Always work with parents to let them know that cyber bullying is never tolerated, under any circumstances Tips for Teachers Ask other educators for advice regarding how they have handled similar situations Teach your students about cyber bullying and the dangers of it (don t be afraid to share the frightening statistics) Work closely with the school guidance counselor, as well as the principal for when it comes to disciplining the bully