Privacy

The fine line between teacher's Facebook and student privacy

Sherri Kuhn — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0700

Facebook has opened up a whole new question of privacy for your student. A teacher was recently reprimanded for posting pictures on Facebook of her students with their mouths duct taped and a caption reading, “Finally found a way to get them to be quiet!” As a parent, what do you think about this? We spoke to some moms and teachers.

10 Things you think your kids aren't paying attention to...
but they are

Katie Kavulla — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:00:00 -0800

What's that expression? Little pitchers have big ears? While we're not exactly sure where that funny little saying came from, we certainly know what it means! Every parent has experienced a time when we think our kids aren't listening to our conversations, but, come to find out, they certainly were. Keep your own ears out for these topics of discussions which are better reserved for nap times, when you can gab about them more openly.

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.

Risky pics and nasty tweets? How to clean up your online reputation.

Jessica Watson — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:03:00 -0800

Did you hit "send" a second too soon? Did your lingerie show for two end up on YouTube? Here is the solution to cleaning up your online reputation.

Tracking your children — smart or invasive?

Nichole Beaudry — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:00:00 -0700

The latest technology helps parents keep a close eye on every step their children make, from what they’re doing, how fast they drive, what they watch and even if they’ve brushed their teeth. But are these devices invasive and damaging of trust or great parenting tools?

A peek inside the life of your teen

Tiernan McKay — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:00 -0700

When you're parenting a teen, the urge to snoop is pretty powerful, but there are bigger issues to consider beyond the tidbit of information you may stumble upon.

Top 5 creepiest apps and software for men

Nichole Beaudry — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0700

It used to be that you could get a good sense of another person by taking a look around his home or peeking at his Facebook wall. But now, women who are eager to learn more about their significant other might want to get a glimpse of his apps and software.

Should your kids see you naked?

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0800

It's natural to see your kiddo in her birthday suit when you give your child a shower or help your toddler get dressed, but should your kids see you naked? Whether you're a modest mommy or are worried you may be scarring your kids for life, find out what the experts say about when you should start practicing modesty around your youngsters.

4 Reasons you should use video surveillance at home

Michelle Maffei — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0800

You protect your house from intruders when you're away, but did you know you can use the same technology to keep your kids safe when they're at home? From keeping tabs on your kids with webcams while playing to spying on your sleeping baby without waking her, uncover four reasons why you should use video surveillance at home.

Facebook now sharing addresses, phone numbers with third parties

Meagan Morris — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:26:00 -0800

Facebook is now sharing users' addresses and phone numbers with third parties, according to an official Facebook blog post. Is this good or bad?

Cyber-stalking: Self-defense tips to avoid cyber-bullying by your ex

Lisa GachÃ© — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:32:00 -0800

Break-ups are hard enough to handle, but add the technology component, and that gives a jilted ex just the tools he needs to take stalking and harassment to a whole new level. At first the creepy comments on your Facebook page might seem desperate, but then things take a scary turn and he’s tracking your every move and posting threats. Your safety depends on maintaining control of your Internet experience and social media tools. Here’s how to avoid being cyber-bullied or cyber-stalked by your ex.

Giving kids privacy online

Jen Klein — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:04:00 -0800

The time has come. Your child has been watching your online life for years now and wants such a life of his or her own. Okay, you say, and help your child create a first email account and social networking profile. But your role is far from over. You can’t just dump your kids into the sea that is the Internet and expect them to know all there is to know about Internet safety, best practices and predators. Whether your child is a tween or teen, and no matter how much they scream for privacy in their online dealings, it’s a process and you need to be a part of it.

When your child doesn't want to go online

Jen Klein — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:08:00 -0800

Chances are, you love the Internet -- both as a tool and a resource. As a mom, it has helped you find information, build community, generally become more aware of your world and it's something you can't live without. It’s only natural that you’d want to share this resource with your child. As your child has reached the tween and teen ages, you may have actively encouraged Internet use. But what if your child doesn’t want to go there? What if your child is just not interested?

Monday Mom challenge: Spy on yourself online

Jen Klein — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 06:40:00 -0700

The Internet has changed our lives, for better and for worse. Mostly for better, though. Social networking has brought us back in touch with long lost friends and allows us to stay connected to distant family. We can bargain hunt and look up information from, well, anywhere. Amid all that good and all that fun we have to teach our kids about Internet safety and privacy, making our children and teens aware of the risks -- along with the benefits -- of being digital citizens. And it starts with checking our own Internet safety.

Leaked Krystal Ball photos a good reminder to keep some things off Facebook

Meagan Morris — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:01:00 -0700

Virginia Democratic Congressional nominee Krystal Ball is trying to save face after some racy party photos surfaced last week. What does her political embarrassment teach us about personal privacy?

Spying on teens online

Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:42:00 -0700

There are dangerous waters for parents to navigate these days – namely, social media sites and cell phones. But does spying on teens help or hurt the parent-child relationship? Find out where to draw the line between invading your children's privacy and protecting them.

Is your teen inappropriate on Facebook?

Tiernan McKay — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:25:00 -0700

One of the most pervasive aspects of the computer age is the non-stop presence of Facebook in our kids' lives. Parents may take a bit longer to understand the ins and outs of this extremely popular social networking site, but our kids seem to move at the speed of light through cyberspace. Features and privacy policies are always changing, so how do you communicate to your kids the importance of restraint when sharing information with the world? Google your child's name, see what comes up and then have a talk. Our tips below can help.

7 Tips for Facebook parents

Monica Vila, The Online Mom — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:47:00 -0800

If you have a tech-savvy tween in the house, then you've probably heard the question already: 'When can I have a Facebook account?'

Although your first instinct may be to say 'not yet' and hope they quickly forget about it, there are some very good reasons for giving it a little more thought. The last thing you want is to have your child ignore your decision and secretly open an account anyway.

Are your grandchildren on Facebook and MySpace?

Grandparents.com Editors — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:18:00 -0800

When Pat Burns wants to catch up with her 15-year-old grandson, Dylan, she logs on to his MySpace page. Within seconds, she's browsing his profile, checking out new photos he's posted -- oh, and scanning comments his buddies left about video games and cute girls.

Should moms be on Facebook?

Abbi Perets — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:42:00 -0800

Should you be facebook friends with your teen? Your kids are all about Facebook, but have you ever thought about getting your own account? Have you ever wondered what happened to old friends from high school, old jobs, college, old apartments, or anywhere else? Log on, and find out what they're up to.

Is Facebook safe? Safety tips for teens

Abbi Perets — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:19:00 -0800

Your teens love their Facebook friends and their MySpace pages and whatever other social networks they've joined. And while once upon a time the fear was that someone would physically hurt them based on an online relationship, now there's a new threat: online identity theft. Is social networking safe?