A growing number of location-based tracking applications available for smartphones and other devices make it easier than ever for you to show your friends and family where you are in real time. You can do a single “check in” at a restaurant or set your phone to update where you are as you move from location to location. Before l...  more »

tags: digital reputation, passwords, privacy, smartphone, texting

As a family, we make the following promises about our time spent on the Internet: Teenagers: ___ I will not give out any personal information, such as my age, last name, address or phone number. ___ I will not meet someone online without my parents' permission. ___ I will block weird messages from people I don’t know. ___ I wil...  more »

tags: digital reputation, smartphone, texting

You don't have to be a computer expert to keep your children safe online. We want our children to be safe and responsible when they are online. To guide them in developing strong online safety habits, teach them the 3Cs - appropriate contact, content and conduct - in all their digital activities, including their use of portable ...  more »

tags: digital reputation, Facebook, mature content, privacy, safe search, Search

Where children go online Ever wonder what your children are looking for online? It’s not global warming. In fact, because children use search engines to explore, their online queries may not show up when you check their browser histories. So how can you manage what you can’t see? What parents need to know Online connectivity has...  more »

tags: digital reputation, mobile, safe search, Search, smartphone, texting

We rely on mobile devices to access the Internet, find information and connect with friends and family, so it's important to know how to be good digital citizens, how to manage our online reputations and how to make personal safety a priority on a mobile device. Top tips: Think before you share a thought or photo. Imagine your ...  more »

tags: parental controls, safe search, Search

Advice and answers Using Internet filters, blocks and monitoring software Children are curious and, just as when they were toddlers, are bound to get into things you’d rather they didn’t. Without certain measures in place, your children can access everything on the Web. Although nothing can replace your guidance and vigilance, ...  more »

tags: digital footprint, digital reputation, Facebook, online etiquette, passwords, privacy, texting

Help children manage their online privacy Explain that they are in charge of what people know about them. Review their privacy settings on the social networks they use. Make sure the controls are strict. Explain that everything they post online can be viewed by anyone and can last a long time online. Encourage children to self-...  more »

tags: cyberbullying, Facebook, online etiquette, smartphone

A few years ago, there was no such thing as Facebook, cyberbullying, iPhones, YouTube or texting. But we live in a world of rapidly changing media and tech, where our kids are far more plugged in digitally than we are. It can be incredibly tough to keep up with all this technology. But as we know, our kids learn from us - not ju...  more »

tags: digital footprint, Facebook, online etiquette, privacy, privacy settings, social networking

Social networks: Facts of life Sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace have privacy controls. Some sites require children to be older than 13 to have a profile, but younger children set up accounts anyway. Social networks keep children connected to friends and provide a space for self-expression. There are no guarantees of pri...  more »