Online Safety

Don’t get fooled by these common online scams

Maria Mora — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:18:00 -0800

Does that deal seem too good to be true? Chances are, your instincts are right. Any time you’re dealing with online transactions, be wary of these common scams. Your money and safety could be at risk if you don’t pay attention to the warning signs of scammers.

Protect yourself: Safe online shopping

Whitney Coy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Buyer beware! Online shopping may be convenient, but it's not always the safest shopping choice. Are you doing everything you can to keep your private information safe when making internet purchases?

Fashion fakes: How to tell if an online store is legit

Christina Caldwell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Frugal fashionistas know the best place to shop for unique products at bargain-basement steals is online, but often those deals can seem too good to be true. Dig deep for a discount on that hot designer bag and odds are you’ll find yourself on a sketchy website that sends off a major scam alert in your head. Get your deal and wear it too by shopping with financial safety in mind.

Privacy-invading apps: How to keep kids safe on mobile devices

Guest Author — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:00:00 -0800

Those iPhone games that your kids play may be collecting more personal information about your kids than you think. According to a recent Federal Trade Commission reportmany mobile applications are collecting a lot more private information about young players than most parents would like.

When your child's friend posts something inappropriate online

Guest Author — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:00:00 -0700

If you’ve been in the position where you’ve found that your child’s friend has posted inappropriate content about herself online, know that it’s your obligation and responsibility to tell that child’s parent what’s going on. Be prepared, however, for the fact that the news may not be welcomed and you may receive a negative response.

How to help your kids protect their online identity

Kori Ellis — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 01:43:00 -0700

Children can often become victims of identity theft. Take some simple precautions to help reduce the risk. Arm your kids with the knowledge to help protect their identity and stay anonymous online.

Identity theft: Do we really need to worry?

Kori Ellis — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:07:00 -0700

If you think that identity theft isn't a serious concern, you just need to look at the numbers. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

How to monitor your child's online activities

Kori Ellis — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:14:00 -0700

You don't want to ban your kids from Internet and smartphone use, but you do want to keep them safe while they are online. Follow these tips to monitor your child's online activities and keep on top of what they are doing on the Internet.

Cell phone safety tips for back-to-school

SheKnows Parenting Editors — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:00:00 -0700

Can you hear me now? According to research, twenty-two percent of young children own a cell phone , sixty percent of tweens , and eighty-four percent of teens. Now that it's back-to-school time, many parents make the decision to arm their kids with cell phones. If you are going to allow your children to have mobile phones, do what you can to keep your children safe.

Facebook and kids: How young is too young?

Kori Ellis — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:00:00 -0700

The current age limit to join Facebook is 13. However, reports are circulating that the social media giant is considering easing its age restrictions. With younger age limits, it's expected Facebook also would roll out new functions to allow parents to connect to their children's accounts, decide who they can friend, control what apps they use, and otherwise monitor their activity. Though these additional functions would be fantastic precautions for any parent to use, do young children even need to be on Facebook?

Teens and the consequences of social media

Stephanie Precourt — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:00:00 -0700

It's impossible to keep today's teens away from social networking. Guide your teen to make wise choices when sharing with friends -- online and off.

7 Things your kids shouldn't share online

Michelle Maffei — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:00:00 -0700

In an age of social media, online gaming, and apps like Foursquare, sharing information about yourself can be as easy as a few clicks of the mouse or cell phone. So, when it comes to letting your kids online, are they sharing too much? Before the next time your kiddo surfs the Internet, make sure your kids know the seven things they shouldn't share online.

Hidden cell phone dangers

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:51:00 -0700

If you use your phone to take pictures and use social networking sites to post them online, you could be leaving yourself open to criminals. What are the dangers of posting pictures online and how can you protect yourself?

High School student who ranked female classmates on Facebook list in hot water

Laura Willard — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:07:00 -0700

An Illinois teenager and high school student is in trouble after he was identified as being responsible for circulating a "ranking" list of female classmates around school and posting it on Facebook. Unfortunately for him, he's not Mark Zuckerberg and he doesn't have a $50 billion idea. The teenager's stunt got him arrested and apparently kicked out of school.

Holiday savings: Save money shopping online

Barry Boone — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 12:14:00 -0700

The holidays are fast approaching -- and threatening to max out your credit card. Shopping online can make hunting for holiday deals fast and easy. The best is part is that families can avoid schlepping tο the crowded malls, dealing with parking, then lugging bags and boxes home. And because every dollar counts in today’s topsy-turvy economy, savvy holiday shoppers can discover a number of creative ways to save money shopping online, through an extensive array of daily discount coupons and promotional codes. Here’s how.

Protecting kids from cyber bullying

Ami Burns — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:21:00 -0700

Cyber-bullying is on the rise and shows no signs of going away anytime soon. Here’s everything parents need to know about protecting kids from cyber-bullying and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Kids on the internet: Safety tips for parents

Kristin Chessman — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:10:00 -0700

When used correctly, the internet can be an excellent resource for entertainment, information and education. Unfortunately, there are also many dangerous threats lurking online in the form of cyber bullies, predators and scams that some parents would rather ban it altogether. Stay one step ahead by being an informed parent. Check out these expert safety tips to keep your kids safe online.

5 Times you should never share your social security number

Kristin Chessman — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:38:00 -0700

Think of your Social Security number as your very own nine-digit serial number. You need one to apply for a job, fill out a tax return, and to open a bank account. If your SSN were to fall into the wrong hands, someone could easily do a world of damage. In order to protect your identity and your funds, read on to discover five times you should never share your Social Security number.

Experts speak: How much internet is okay for kids?

Sarah Kelsey — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:30:00 -0700

While signing online can be an invaluable experience for your children, spending too much time on the internet can actually be detrimental to their health. So, how much online time is too much time? We did some digging to find out.