A magazine for students and parents in langley - School District #35

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cover storyParents talking to kids about electronicsGift rapwhat you need to say to kids getting high tech presentsCartoon by: Diana DurrandNo one wants to give a present that puts their child at emotionalor physical risk, but many parents unwittingly do justthat by not establishing clear rules before the ribbons andwrapping paper come off that latest got-to-have techno gadget.In today’s world of light speed technological change, it’s difficult forparents to come up with strategies for safe use of children’s toys andtechnology. So before you give them what could become an electronicPandora’s Box, here are some cautions and suggestions you may wantto consider:VIDEO/COMPUTER GAMESCautions: Many video games contain violence, gender stereotypingand racial stereotyping. They may also connect children to unregulatedand unsafe online communities.Even savvy parents need to monitor games closely. Players will often beaccessing ‘Easter Eggs’, cheat codes and user-generated expansions thatgive gamers access to Mature (M), Restricted (R) and Adult Only (AO)rated materials, which can be extremely violent and sexually graphic.Make sure you get some rules inplace for use of those high tech giftsthat connect kids to the internet, otherwiseyou may be giving your childrenan electronic Pandora’s Box.Go to advice: Check out Common Sense Media’s game reviews andratings, which are available for all ages and are based on child developmentprinciples. They give you trustworthy information so you canpick what’s best for your family. You can search game titles by: Age;New Releases; Common Sense Recommended; Parents Recommended;Kids Recommended; Game Ratings. Go to www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviewsby Sandra Avrill6 Student Success
Texting can become an obsession, distracting kids from otheractivities like school, movies, even dinner. There is a newcondition in modern society called cell phone addiction. It’sdamaging.Structures: Children do well when clear boundaries or expectationsare established. Creating ‘expectation agreements’that are printed and signed by both children and parentsputs everyone on the same page - literally. An editable gamingagreement is posted at www2.sd35.bc.ca/saverill/OnlineKidz/Gaming.CELL PHONESParents face pressures from their children and conflicting advicefrom friends and the media when it comes to appropriateages and uses for cell phones. You have to consider: Howindependent your kids are. Do they ‘need’ to be in touch forsafety reasons, or is their cell phone use purely social? Howresponsible are they?Cautions: Cell phones aren’t just phones. They can be usedto photograph and video self and others in embarrassing situations,and those images can be posted to the Internet inseconds. Texting can become an obsession, distracting kidsfrom other activities like school, movies, even dinner. Thereis a new condition in modern society called cell phone addiction.It’s damaging.Go to advice: Consider cell phones like the FireFly that allowparents to screen who children can contact. See www.cellphones.ca/cell-phones/firefly. Unfortunately not all childcell phones are supported in Canada.Structures: Before gifting a cell phone, carefully consideryour expectations. Cell phones should not be in the bedroom– in fact, it is a good idea to determine a central place (abasket works) where the cell phones can go when kids arrivehome from school. If your child wants to use the phone athome, he or she can stand by the basket during the conversation.Determine your expectations and create a cell phoneagreement that you and your child sign. An editable cellphone agreement is posted at www2.sd35.bc.ca/saverill/OnlineKidz/Cells_PDAsTOYS WITH CAMERASCautions: whether it’s a real camera/video camera, or a “toy” such as, FisherPrice Kid Tough Video Camera or BarbieVideo Girl, parents need to considerwhat photos might be taken and wherethey might be posted. Photos and videosshould never be taken that wouldembarrass the subject if the whole worldwere to see it. Unfortunately some childrendo take sexually provocative photosof themselves, which they send toothers. This puts children at risk. It mayalso be considered distribution of childpornography, which may put parents atrisk too.Flickr photo by tinkerbrad.Go to advice: Information regarding cameras and webcamscan be found at www2.sd35.bc.ca/saverill/OnlineKidz/Cameras.htmlStructures: Expectations around the use of cameras andwebcams should apply to friends who visit. The media teacheschildren it’s cool to click and post, but it’s against the lawfor images of a child younger than 13 to be uploaded withoutparental permission.Sandra Averill is an Instuctional Services Coordinator withLangley School District. She specializes in the use of technologyfor educational purposes in schools and at home. Comments orsuggestions for Kids Online can be sent to saverill@sd35.bc.ca.Technology like the iPhone has gone farther than many parentsunderstand, often taking children places they should not go.Flickr photo by tinkerbrad.winter edition 7
Page 1 and 2: studentSuccessWINTER 2010A MAGAZINE
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A magazine for students and parents in langley - School District #35

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