I have a budding videographer in my family. She has tripods, cameras, sets, lighting, and props. She has her own YouTube channel. She is a middle schooler. So I was very interested in this article about Instagram and Vine from Common Sense Media. Instagram is a photo and video sharing app. Vine is a video only app. In keeping with the techno trend for ever more compact content, Instagram videos are up to15 seconds long and Vine videos are up to 6 seconds.
Some of us over 30 don't quite understand all the issues with many of these new social networking sites.I didn't realize you could share video with Instagram. Nor did I know that Vine is owned by Twitter - makes sense - 6 seconds is so Twitterish. I hear the middle schoolers around me talking a lot about Instagram. I know one twelve year old who has an Instagram account, but her mom won't let her have a Facebook account yet.
That brings up the issue of appropriateness. Technically, twelve year olds aren't allowed to have Instagram or Vine accounts according to their user agreements. However, we all know that doesn't stop tweens and younger kids from joining.
Just like YouTube, there are videos on Instagram and Vine that will make you blush. There is content you wouldn't really want your young teen watching. I recommend having an open conversation with your child. If they are under 13, consider telling them 'no' for now. Take it from a middle school teacher, there is a difference between 12 year olds and 13 year olds. Regardless of your decision, talk to them about privacy. You wouldn't invite the world into your home, so don't invite them to see your personal footage. Talk to them about cyberbullying. They should tell an adult if it happens and block the offending 'friend'. Stay involved and ask to see what they are sending and watching.
Today's teens relate to each other largely through electronic media so as today's parents we have to actively participate and guide them.
Showing posts with label FaceBook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FaceBook. Show all posts
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Privacy in the Digital Age
I don't consider myself paranoid in fact, I am probably more trusting than the average person. But I have begun to wonder how much of my personal life is stored on computers around the world. Who might be looking at it and why?
Durff got me thinking about it again this week after reading his post, Privacy - Right or Privilege. I think privacy should be a right, but is it one that we are giving away bit by bit in our online practice?
How many times have you clicked that little "I agree to privacy policy" button without understanding all the legalese that scrolled by on my screen. I have lost count.
I keep my calendar online on AirSet. I compose documents on GoogleDocs. I store pictures on any number of photo sites. There are little bits of me spread all over cyberspace. And I used to think that was no big deal, because no one would go to the trouble to gather it all up and use it? Maybe I was wrong about that.
Watch parts four and five of Frontline's "Spying on the Home Front." Every time you use your credit card, you leave a digital footprint on a database.
And what about the information that you post to a digital networking site? Watch this video about the rights that FaceBook retains for tracking information about its users.
I think management of privacy will be a pivotal issue for the continued growth of Web 2.0 and automation.
Durff got me thinking about it again this week after reading his post, Privacy - Right or Privilege. I think privacy should be a right, but is it one that we are giving away bit by bit in our online practice?
How many times have you clicked that little "I agree to privacy policy" button without understanding all the legalese that scrolled by on my screen. I have lost count.
I keep my calendar online on AirSet. I compose documents on GoogleDocs. I store pictures on any number of photo sites. There are little bits of me spread all over cyberspace. And I used to think that was no big deal, because no one would go to the trouble to gather it all up and use it? Maybe I was wrong about that.
Watch parts four and five of Frontline's "Spying on the Home Front." Every time you use your credit card, you leave a digital footprint on a database.
And what about the information that you post to a digital networking site? Watch this video about the rights that FaceBook retains for tracking information about its users.
I think management of privacy will be a pivotal issue for the continued growth of Web 2.0 and automation.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Today I am a Hokie
I am in shock over the tragedy that struck Virginia Tech yesterday. I have an extended family member there. I was frantic to know how she was yesterday. I got a call at about 12:30 letting me know she was okay, but it wasn't until I saw her update her Facebook page that I felt reassured. It was like reaching out and hugging her virtually. For the rest of the afternoon I couldn't close that browser window. Seeing her profile pic and her comment "thankful to be alive" was reassuring amidst all the horrific news I was hearing.
In the past 36 hours online groups commemorating the victims, sharing condolences and expressing support for the Va Tech community have formed. This is how the generation of digital natives connect to one another and comfort one another. It is moving to see how they have used social networking tools to respond positively to senseless violence.
Join others in supporting the Va Tech community in their time of shock and grief. If you have a Facebook account, join VT Unite Global. Or visit VT Incident, a Web site created by Va Tech students to collect information, share feelings and offer condolences.
I shared the news with my children when they got home from school yesterday. My five year old wanted to see it on the news. I think it was her way to make it real. My eight year old wondered aloud why my husband and I were still talking about when we knew that our family member was not hurt. We tried to explain to her that many people were hurt and even killed without terrifying her. It is so difficult to talk with children about horrific events like this. However, I believe that it is better to talk with them in the open instead of letting them overhear bits of conversation and wonder about it on their own.
Here are a couple links with suggestions on how to talk with children about tragedies.
Talking to Children about Terrorism and War - American Academy of Pediatrics
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope - National Association of School Psychologists
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the shootings of April 16.A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope - National Association of School Psychologists
Friday, March 30, 2007
Stop Cyberbullying
According to iSafe, 43% of the youth population report being bullied online. Wherever kids gather the potential for bullying exists. Adults who care need to learn about these new gathering places and help kids learn to protect themselves. What can you do?
- Watch this great video about cyberbullying.
- Ask a teen you know to explain MySpace or Facebook.
- Learn how to help kids stay safe online, 11 tips from Vicki Davis.
- Join the StopCyberbullying network. (invite me to be your friend)
In honor of Stop Cyberbullying day, Friday March 30th 2007.
Cartoon reprinted with permission from Cathy Wilcox.
Monday, December 25, 2006
'Tis the Season to be Clicking
Merry Christmas!
I am enjoying Christmas with my family and learning about gadgets. Everyone from my 3 year old nephew to my mom has new gadgets to play with. My eighteen year old niece, Allison, gave me a tutorial on MySpace and FaceBook. She pointed out the differences and what she likes about each.
MySpace allows you to make your profile accessible only to your "friends." She said there were creepy people asking her to become their friends and join their group, so she protected her profile. After you protect your profile only your profile name and picture are visible to people you have not approved. However if someone doesn't choose a profile name that is a derivative of their real name and posts a picture of their pet lizard, it may be hard to figure out it "soccerdude" is your friend from school or not.
FaceBook allows you to adjust the privacy more precisely. You can block individual pieces of your profile instead of all of it, like MySpace. For example if you don't want your friends to see the geeky picture of you in your new Christmas sweater. You can block that photo album from your friends and let your Aunt Paula see it. You can also block a specific individual from your account if they start annoying you. FaceBook has a cool feature in its picture album application that allows you to tag portions of pictures with the names of "friends" in your FaceBook profile. Say you get a great group shot at a football game. You upload it and then highlight one friend in the picture and tag it with their name. Highlight another and tag again. Then when the picture appears in your album, all the tags are hotlinks to your friends' profiles.
Gotta make a Facebook page for the new year.
My fourteen year old niece let me borrow her iPod. I felt a little all thumbs at first controlling the playlist, but with a few pointers I got it. My daughters soon took control of the iPod sharing the ear buds between them.
Here is our family electronics portrait! Aren't we a good-clicking crowd?
Technorati Tags: Christmas, FaceBook, MySpace, social networking, Web 2.0
I am enjoying Christmas with my family and learning about gadgets. Everyone from my 3 year old nephew to my mom has new gadgets to play with. My eighteen year old niece, Allison, gave me a tutorial on MySpace and FaceBook. She pointed out the differences and what she likes about each.
MySpace allows you to make your profile accessible only to your "friends." She said there were creepy people asking her to become their friends and join their group, so she protected her profile. After you protect your profile only your profile name and picture are visible to people you have not approved. However if someone doesn't choose a profile name that is a derivative of their real name and posts a picture of their pet lizard, it may be hard to figure out it "soccerdude" is your friend from school or not.
FaceBook allows you to adjust the privacy more precisely. You can block individual pieces of your profile instead of all of it, like MySpace. For example if you don't want your friends to see the geeky picture of you in your new Christmas sweater. You can block that photo album from your friends and let your Aunt Paula see it. You can also block a specific individual from your account if they start annoying you. FaceBook has a cool feature in its picture album application that allows you to tag portions of pictures with the names of "friends" in your FaceBook profile. Say you get a great group shot at a football game. You upload it and then highlight one friend in the picture and tag it with their name. Highlight another and tag again. Then when the picture appears in your album, all the tags are hotlinks to your friends' profiles.
Gotta make a Facebook page for the new year.
My fourteen year old niece let me borrow her iPod. I felt a little all thumbs at first controlling the playlist, but with a few pointers I got it. My daughters soon took control of the iPod sharing the ear buds between them.
Here is our family electronics portrait! Aren't we a good-clicking crowd?
Technorati Tags: Christmas, FaceBook, MySpace, social networking, Web 2.0
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