Best+Practices+for+Parents


 * Feb 4, 2010 Media Arts Studio Discussion**


 * Best practices:**
 * Parents must have access to passwords, but does not replace conversations
 * Everyone should know your Privacy Settings - Public v. Private (on Facebook, etc.)
 * Computer should always be in a public space
 * Cell phone should remain in a common space over night charging (so youth is not texting over night)
 * Omegle - parents beware (from 12 year old in audience)
 * Net Nanny - for time management (also to block bad websites)
 * Good question to ask: What is your time worth?
 * Using Open DNS (free service) works for blocking categories of sites - but ultimately might not be that useful
 * It's not about blocking, it's about having conversations and negotiating the best approaches
 * Use events in the news to talk about what is an appropriate use of technology (cyber-bullying, sexting, etc.)
 * Middle school kids: reinforce the issue that you should only say something to someone that you would say to them in person.
 * 8th grade mother: collected cell phones at the beginning of sleepovers
 * Kids need to know that they are responsible for what they say and for their actions
 * Can't block everything. Kids will find a way around the technology


 * Questions:**
 * Are Facebook discussion groups only public or can they be private?


 * Useful websites:**
 * Common Sense Media - http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
 * Children and Media: PBS Parents - http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/


 * Next steps:**
 * Are people interested in continuing this conversation via a listserv?
 * Next meeting should be an open discussion to include young people - a discussion parents and children
 * Places to receive information about school news and events: Craig Kelly, school's listserv and the school's newsletter