Over the summer, I have been updating the Dartmouth's website, cleaning up our Facebook and Twitter Page, and preparing to find new and easier ways to communicate to the Hemet community. While doing this I have been keeping up with our students adventures, success, and good times by reading their post. With today's technology and the rapid advancement in smartphones students are able to text (txt) about 4500 words a day, communicate to friends all over the state, country, and world all while shopping at GAP.
Although this technology can be a useful tool, it is vital parents, educators, and family members take the time to teach our students, specifically young adolescents how to use this powerful tool. I was amazed and scared at the post, pics, and videos that were being posted by students who are ages 10-15. If you want insight into what your middle age child is saying, thinking, and doing, friend them on Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace. According to Dr. Michele Borba, the number one way to prevent your middle school age child from being bullied or participating in risky behavior is to have access to their social media sites (Facebook and Twitter). At the minimum you should have your own social media site and friend your child. They will be more careful and cognoscente about what they post to the world.
In this article http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10705964-7-things-you-need-to-know-to-keep-kids-safe-online?partner=skygrid Dr. Michele Borba discusses 7 tips for keeping your child safe online. A few or her tips include getting to know your student lingo, i.e. p911 means parent in the room. Get access to your child's accounts, only 42% of parents know their students have a social media site. Finally, she recommends limiting your child's access to computers in the house (Don't forget most smartphones have access to all social media through apps and online access.).
One thing to remember about middle school students, they need structure, rules, and guidelines. They need constant reminders about their behavior, character, and futures. An involved intruding parent, is a good parent who is teaching their child to become an adult.
Although this technology can be a useful tool, it is vital parents, educators, and family members take the time to teach our students, specifically young adolescents how to use this powerful tool. I was amazed and scared at the post, pics, and videos that were being posted by students who are ages 10-15. If you want insight into what your middle age child is saying, thinking, and doing, friend them on Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace. According to Dr. Michele Borba, the number one way to prevent your middle school age child from being bullied or participating in risky behavior is to have access to their social media sites (Facebook and Twitter). At the minimum you should have your own social media site and friend your child. They will be more careful and cognoscente about what they post to the world.
In this article http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10705964-7-things-you-need-to-know-to-keep-kids-safe-online?partner=skygrid Dr. Michele Borba discusses 7 tips for keeping your child safe online. A few or her tips include getting to know your student lingo, i.e. p911 means parent in the room. Get access to your child's accounts, only 42% of parents know their students have a social media site. Finally, she recommends limiting your child's access to computers in the house (Don't forget most smartphones have access to all social media through apps and online access.).
One thing to remember about middle school students, they need structure, rules, and guidelines. They need constant reminders about their behavior, character, and futures. An involved intruding parent, is a good parent who is teaching their child to become an adult.