Free Learning Websites for Kids

NatGeo for Kids – National Geographic has everything from Brain Boosters to Homework Resources to help your kiddos stay engaged while at home! With various articles and activities, kids had hundreds of reading and interactive lessons at their fingertips to teach them all about geography and amazing animals. – https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Switcheroo Zoo – Bring the zoo into your home with Switcheroo Zoo. Watch, listen and play games with your child to help them learn about different animals across the world. – http://switchzoo.com/

Into the Book – Looking for work on your child’s reading comprehension? Into the Book is a literacy comprehension resource for elementary students and teachers that focuses on eight research-based strategies: Using Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing, Evaluating and Synthesizing. Browse through their multiple online interactive activities as well as tools for teachers and parents in both English and Spanish. – https://reading.ecb.org/

Seussville – Jump in the world of Dr. Seuss by visiting Suessville! Your kids can read, play, and explore with Dr. Seuss and his friends in the ultimate imagination getaway. The website also has programs available for parents and educators so you can be sure to stay connected with what your child is doing. – https://www.seussville.com/explore/

ABCya – ABCya provides over 400 fun and educational games for grades PreK through 6 with activities designed by parents and educators. ABCya was created with the understanding that children learn better if they are having fun, while also reassured adults that their kids are staying on track with Common Core standards. Activities are categorized by subject and grade level, and cover topics such as multiplication, typing, pattern recognition, and more. With so much variety, you’re sure to find something for kids at all learning levels and styles. – https://www.abcya.com/

Fun Brain – Created for kids in grades Pre-K through 8, Funbrain.com has been the leader in free educational games for kids since 1997. Funbrain offers hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy. – https://www.funbrain.com/about

PBS Kids – Have your kids hang out with their favorite characters through PBS Kids’ curriculum-based entertainment. With a 360-degree approach towards learning and reaching children, PBS KIDS uses media and technology to enhance learning opportunities, build knowledge, imagination, and curiosity. By involving parents, teachers and mentor figures in a child’s educational journey, PBS KIDS helps to empower children for success in school and in life. – https://pbskids.org/

Star Fall – Starfall Education Foundation is a publicly supported nonprofit organization, with the goal to create free and low-cost experiences allowing children to successfully learn through exploration. Through teaching strategies using positive reinforcement and collaboration, your kids can learn in an environment that fosters confidence, motivation, and success. – https://www.starfall.com/

Storyline Online – Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading. Have your kids listen to some of their favorite books read by movie stars to help them stay engaged! – https://www.storylineonline.net/

Highlights Kids – With the mission to “Help children become their best selves by publishing content and creating experiences that engage, delight, and foster joyful learning”, Highlight Kids allows your child to read, play, and conduct science experiments all online in a safe environment. – https://www.highlightskids.com/

Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home –
Mo Willems invites you and your family into his studio every day for his LUNCH DOODLE. Kids worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. – https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/

Let us know if you have any other free learning websites for kids to add to the collection! We will be adding to this site as our collection grows, so keep checking back. Send a suggestion here.

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For a little more fun:

• Apps you Can Play with your Kids
• Best Games for Families
• Charades for Kids (with printable game cards)
• 10 Kid-Friendly Pandora Stations Parents Will Enjoy

The post Free Learning Websites for Kids first appeared on BonBon Break.

While there’s rarely one answer to a kid’s struggles — and there’s no substitute for open communication — sometimes media can offer a fresh approach to old problems. And if your kids really want to change course, finding what works for them can be a real self-esteem booster.

These books, apps, and websites can help kids gain perspective, as well as practice positive habits around communication, time management, self-regulation, and organization. Check out our Homework Help Apps, Time Management Apps, and Note-Taking Apps for Tweens and Teens for even more ideas.

Get Organized

Do you need a hazmat suit to explore your kid’s backpack? Does note taking mean scribbling three sentences across a page? Does “I’ll do it tomorrow” really mean, “I already forgot what you said”? Use some tools to create a new routine.

• Choiceworks Calendar. 8+
  With lots of visuals to choose from, this planner empowers kids to organize their time.
• 30/30. 10+
  Use this timer to help kids break larger tasks into smaller ones.
• SoundNote. 14+
  Because kids can sync audio with written notes, this app can help kids get information in multiple ways and keep them organized.

Study Smarter

Press the reset button on study habits with some tools that might help build necessary skills.

• GeoWalk HD – 3D World Fact Book. 8+
  Kids can explore a wide variety of facts in bite-sized, visually appealing chunks.
• BrainPop. 10+
  Videos and animated content serve up lots of educational information.
• Yup – homework help with Math & Chemistry Tutors. 13+
  Through the app teens can contact qualified tutors who will walk them through problems step-by-step.

Communicate Clearly

Smooth out the rough edges with some social-skills practice that will help make a fresh start.

• The Social Express II. 8+
  This game helps kids understand the “hidden rules” of social communication and includes a social network.
• LikeSo. 11+
  When kids need to tone down teen-speak for formal presentations, this app tracks words and phrases they’d rather omit.
• ConversationBuilder Teen. 13+
  Through scripts and situations, kids can practice their communication choices.

Forge Positive Friendships

Leave the drama behind with social networks that encourage positive interaction.

• Yoursphere. 9+
  This social network is a safer starting place for younger users who want to practice their digital citizenship skills.
• Kidzworld. 11+
  Short articles, social networking, and self-expression come together on this kid-friendly site.
• Sit With Us. 13+
  Created by a teen, this app helps kids find friends (and a place at a lunch table) without the risk of public humiliation.

Reflect and Reframe

Put things in perspective and remind kids they aren’t alone through the pages of these books.

• About Average. 8+
  This anti-bullying book can help empower kids to seek solutions.
• Addie on the Inside. 11+
  Told through poetry, Addie’s story covers a lot of emotional ground and features a brave female protagonist.
• King Dork. 15+
  This realistic coming-of-age book is a relatable read for teens who don’t love high school.

Boost Self Esteem

Widen kids’ focus to helping others and creating a purpose outside of school.

• New Moon Girls Online. 10+
  Kids can publish and post through this girl-focused, moderated site.
• Youth Service America. 13+
  This website connects teens with service experiences and lets them share through blogs and videos.
• Charity Miles – Running & Walking Distance Tracker. 13+
  As kids exercise, they also earn money for their chosen charities.

This post was syndicated with permission from Common Sense Media and written by Christine Elgersma.

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Here’s the thing: Porn is all over the internet. You can’t totally get rid of it. Still, most parents want to do what they can to prevent kids from seeing explicit content. But here’s the other thing: You can set all the blockers, filters, and parental controls in the universe, and not only will your kids still see porn, you still have to talk to them about what porn is, why it exists, and why it’s not for them. In fact, using tech tools to limit adult content works best when combined with conversations that convey your values about love, sexuality, and relationships. (Get tips on talking to tweens and teens about internet porn.) Here are five ways to block porn as much as possible.

Turn on Google SafeSearch

Pros: Easy to enable
Cons: Easy for kids to turn off

1. Set your search engine to Google. Check the settings on whichever browsers your kids use (Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) and make sure they use Google as their default search engine. (On an iPhone, go into your phone’s settings, scroll down and tap on Safari, and then choose Google under Search Engine; in Chrome, tap or click on the three dots either at the top or bottom of the screen).

2. Enable SafeSearch. On mobile devices, open your Google app (you may need to download it). Tap on the gear icon, scroll down and tap on Search Settings, and then tap “Filter explicit results” under SafeSearch filters. On desktops and laptops, go to www.google.com and click Settings in the bottom-right corner; click on Search Settings; and click Turn on SafeSearch and then Lock SafeSearch.

3. Check all devices, and recheck periodically. Perform steps one and two for all devices your kids use. Regularly check the Google app or preferences section to make sure SafeSearch hasn’t been turned off.

Use Screen Time on iPhones and iPads

Pros: Built right into the OS
Cons: May require frequent fine-tuning

1. Decide how you want to enable the settings. You can either put restrictions on your kid’s devices (and lock them with a passcode so they can’t change them back; see Part 2 below). Or, you can manage your kid’s phone remotely through Apple’s Family Sharing feature, similar to other parental-control products (see step 3 below).

2. On your kid’s phone or tablet. Open Settings on your kid’s device. Scroll down and tap Screen Time. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and then toggle that feature on. Go through each setting and determine what you’ll allow and what you want to limit. To cut down on porn, drill down into the Content Restrictions section and turn off all explicit content for all media, including Web Content.
   Part 2: Pass code-protect the settings. In Settings/Screen Time, tap Use Screen Time Passcode. Type in a four-digit code that your kid doesn’t know and won’t guess. (If your kid has already created a passcode, you’ll need the number to change it to something only you know.)

3. On your device. Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap on Family Sharing. Follow the instructions for adding a family member. Once they’re set up, you can control all of iOS’s Screen Time features — including all Content & Privacy Restrictions — from your phone.

Ask your internet service provider (ISP)

Pros: Depending on your service, settings can apply to TV channels as well as the internet
Cons: Some cost money; controls can be confusing

1. Check the website or call your ISP. The folks you pay to bring you your internet connection may offer parental controls, content filters, or other screen-time-management features that will effectively limit exposure to porn. Xfinity, for example, offers parental controls, website blocking, and device limits through its customer portal and app. Verizon offers a program called Smart Family that provides parental controls for a monthly fee. Every company designs its own features differently, so figuring out how they work can take some effort.

Install parental controls

Pros: Provide a lot of control, including website blocking, screen limits, and even social media monitoring
Cons: May not work across all platforms (for example, PCs and Macs) or all devices (for example, phones on Wi-Fi and network-connected desktops); kids can get around them using a variety of easily searchable methods

1. Explore the offerings. A wide range of parental-control products means you’ll need to do your research to find the one that really works best for you. This chart offers a good overview of available products and what they do.

2. Review the settings. Plenty of features — such as the ability to block specific websites, restrict certain domains (such as those from porn producers), and alert you to search terms kids might use, such as “sex” — give you a lot of options. Take advantage of free trials (from reputable companies) to get a sense of whether the products address your specific needs, work with your existing devices, and feel manageable to you. 

Go the hardware route

Pros: Can monitor every device on the network, including those that are Wi-Fi-enabled and network-connected
Cons: May lack advanced features such as ultrafast connections and download speeds; can include pricey subscriptions; don’t cover kids’ devices on other networks

1. Determine your existing setup. Internet routers — the devices that bring the internet into your home — are typically not user-friendly at all. In fact, many people simply use the one supplied by their ISP and don’t worry about it unless its lights stop flashing. Your router may already have built-in filtering services you don’t use because you haven’t wanted to muck around in your network settings. Don’t be intimidated. Open the network icon on your main computer to see whether it includes anything that looks like parental controls (filtering, blocking, etc.) in its software.

2. Check out the available products. New products that either replace or work with your existing network router, such as Circle with Disney and Torch, are popular with families because they offer appealing designs and easy-to-use software. If you’re buying a new router, look for one that has advanced features and parental controls (here’s a good guide). You’ll want to buy the most state-of-the-art product within your budget to keep up with your family’s growing needs. Streaming services, gaming, new phones, and tablets will all put demands on your router.

3. Determine which devices you want monitored. The big advantage of router-based solutions is that their settings can apply to all your devices, from the game console to the family PC to your kids’ phones. You may not want to monitor your own devices — unless there’s a chance your kids will use them. Remember, if your kid goes off your network, such as at a friend’s house, it’s not covered (although some products, such as Circle, offer mobile monitoring through an app you download on your kid’s phone).

Syndicated with permission from Common Sense Media and written by Caroline Knorr.

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“My kids will never have a phone until they are 20!” The one thing I have learned about parenting is that as soon as you say “my kids will never…”, it is bound to bounce right back at you and not happen. When we declare things emphatically, it seems the Universe looks for ways to humble us.

Enter parenthood.  Parenthood during the Gen Z era is not for the weak of heart – parents or kids. Access to everything can be a gift and a curse within a few taps. We do have a few tips about how to balance digital life and family life. 

Many kids – and ahem, parents – get locked into their screens. To be honest, many of the apps out there are designed that way. They use basic psychological principals to lure you in and make you feel like you can’t break away. As a result, we need tools and it is comforting to know that my long-time mobile provider, Verizon, is thinking along the same lines. They have a great article, Managing Teen Screen Time, that ensures that kids use their smartphones and tablets sensibly. 

Without further ado, here are our tips…

Ways to Balance Digital Life and Family Life

Develop a family contract around new tech purchases

Whether it is a new smartphone, a flip phone or an XBox, set guidelines with your kids before it is in their hands. Create a contract that you both sign. Here are a couple to get you started: Common Sense Media and Josh Shipp. Print them out and have your kids design one that meets your family’s needs. 

Be honest about tools you will be using to monitor their devices

Verizon provides tools like the Family Locator or Smart Family and there are dozens of phone settings, apps and app settings that can help you create some safe garden walls for your child’s new tool. 

Have a night for screen time

Ours is Thursday night. The nice thing about designating a night for screens is that it frees up your other nights to spend time together for game nights, reading or catching up on your favorite shows – together. 

Dinner time is screen free

We eat all of our meals at the table and as a result, it is easy for us to call it a screen-free zone. Honesty time, I struggle with absolutes. Are there times when my daughter and I might eat our sandwich and watch funny kitten videos together? You bet. Are there times when I will show a TED Talk to my kids that I feel is valuable for them to see? You betcha. The difference is that it is something that we are doing together and we are not letting the bells and whistles of our devices taunt us away from our nightly round of Thorns and Roses. 

Collect devices at the door

Different households have different rules. Mine travel with my kids and we expect that visitors stick to ours. We TOTALLY get it that they love playing Minecraft or Fortnite, but we want our kids to actually hang out with each other. The easiest way to deal with this is to collect devices at the door. My son’s friends have been super cool about this and just expect it now.

There will be moments where they can jump into a game together, but then it ends and they are forced outdoors and sometimes we even invite them to Just Dance. (Seriously, if Just Dance isn’t a part of your family’s life, you are missing out on some serious laughter!). Yes, some try to buck the system. That’s their job as tweens and teens, but boundaries make kids feel safe and we have so many other options for fun things to do at their leisure.

Get Outside

During breaks or over weekends, make it a goal to get outside for a short walk or drive to a local park, beach, or pond to get some fresh air each and every day. A stroll through the neighborhood will allow you to run into your neighbors and chat. This might sound crazy but, once you get your kids outside, they struggle coming back in and that is WONDERFUL. I keep a kite, binoculars, a frisbee, and a bat and whiffle ball in my van at all times. 

Include Your Kids

It’s time to make dinner? Give everyone a job – and not just doing the dishes. Get them chopping and sauteeing. Meal plan for the week and put them in charge of one night. Peruse Pinterest for recipes and create a Family Recipe Board for Easy Recipes or Instapot and Slow Cooker Recipes, if that’s your thing. 

Painting a room? Take your kids through the process and let them help. We’ve used apps to color match and see what a color would look like before we paint. Yes, you might have to go back and fix a few things, but you are giving them an opportunity to learn and no matter how much kicking and screaming there is before, they will ultimately get over it and feel really good about the finished product. 

Family garden? There is so much to do from planning to planting and harvesting. Of course, there is the eating part as well. There are amazing gardening apps available and it is fun to show your kids how you can use technology as a resource.

Get creative

One of my biggest issues with technology, in general, is that it turns most people into consumers of information. This is when we turn into zombies. Teach your kids to use their devices to create media. Make movies of your walks or collages of photos from a trip. Instead of just calling a family friend to say “Happy Birthday” send a fun video you’ve created for them and then call. Your kids might teach you a thing or two as well!

Get savvy

The “I just don’t get it” outlook to tech is a dangerous one. If your sweet little babes were playing on a playground, you would check it out to see if it was safe. The internet and digital world can be a playground full of knives and broken glass, but there are tools you can use to reign it in and make it safer. The Verizon Family Tech Initiative is taking some wonderful steps to make this easier for you. Take the time to become familiar with the devices and the tools that are available to you before you hand them over to your kids.  

Start simple

Inevitably, my kids have asked for cell phones. There is no way they are ready for one – yet. However, we do want them to gain skills over time that will benefit them. As a result, we were able to add a flip phone to our account. Our kids have the freedom of having their own phone and they love to call or text us when they are staying home alone or heading off island with a friend. There are so many plan options available through Verizon that this can be done with a significantly smaller financial commitment. 

Someday our kids will be ready to have those smartphones, but according to a group of local teenagers who led a panel on the topic, 16 is the age for that leap. Until then, Verizon is keeping us all happy and connected.

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A Step-by-Step Plan for Setting Up Parental Controls

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Here’s the thing: Actually using parental controls — just like parenting — is a process. And the devices and software aren’t a solution on their own. What these products do — manage screen time, block inappropriate content, and make sure kids are behaving on online — is ultimately what we want kids to be able to do by themselves. In other words, at some point, we want to hand over control. Easier said than done, right?

The solution is to focus on the key areas you want to tackle. That will make whatever parental control you choose more useful. And simplifying and sharing these goals — when you can — will help your kids understand what they’re working towards.

Remember, you want to support your kids’ learning the same as anything else: set clear expectations, be consistent, and talk about what they’re doing.

(For parental controls buying advice, PC Magazine offers in-depth product reviews and recommendations.)

GOAL: “I want to be able to control how much time my kids spend online — without taking their devices away — and make sure they don’t have access to stuff they’re not ready for.”

What to look for. The ability to pause the internet, set timers, lock individual devices, and block/filter specific types of content. You might be able to get away with the parental control features already built into your device’s operating system or available in a free app. Apple offers Family Sharing, Guided Access, and other restrictions, and is introducing new Screen Time features in its upcoming iOS 12. If you use Android, the operating system Pie will offer information about device use, and Google’s Family Link app for Android allows you to set time limits and restrict content. Devices like XFinity’s xFi or Circle with Disney let you do things like shut down the internet via an app and block certain content.

Before you begin. Blocking content probably won’t cause too much conflict (if they can’t see it, they’ll eventually forget it). And preventing access to stuff that’s inappropriate is non-negotiable. Turning off the internet without warning, however, is what exasperated parents refer to as “the nuclear option.” Call a family meeting and talk about your goals, concerns, and overall approach as a family: Under what circumstances will you pause the internet? At dinner time? After two warnings? Develop a system so that your kids understand the rules and expectations.

Troubleshooting. Even though they know the limits, kids will ask for “just one more minute.” Try to be consistent. Maybe one more minute is OK, but after five it’s go time. If your kid claims that they need the internet to finish their homework, tell them the internet can stay on if they’re not multitasking (i.e. chatting, texting, playing Fortnite, or scrolling on social media), and keep an eye on them. Determine in advance how sympathetic you’re going to be when they can’t get their homework done by a certain time. They’ll need to learn to work within their limits, and if they can’t, you’ll need to intervene to get them on track. As for filtering and blocking content, be aware that kids can get around almost anything and content blockers aren’t foolproof.

Path to self-regulation. Once you’ve established device-free times and zones, and it seems like you’ve all fallen into the habit, consider going a few days without using the parental control and talk about how you did. Check in with your family: How’s it going? Are the goals the same? What are the challenges and how can you problem solve?

GOAL: “In addition to setting time limits, I want to get details about what my kid is doing online —  like what apps they’re using and what sites they’re visiting — and I want to know who my kid is texting with/talking to.”

What to look for. The ability to set time limits, block and filter content, receive reports about your kid’s online activity (what sites they’ve visited and how long they’ve spent on them), and a call history/contact list. Products like unGlue and Habyts can set time limits, show you the apps and sites your kids are using, and build in elements meant to help form solid habits.

Before you begin. If you’re just trying to prevent trouble before it starts, let your kids know what your biggest concerns are and why. It’s important for them to know that you’re not trying to spy on them or catch them doing something wrong, but to guide and support them. It’s also important to listen and get some buy-in, since it helps avoid conflict later. If you’re considering this type of tool because there’s been a breach of trust or some other shenanigans, you can frame it as a means to get back on track.

Troubleshooting. Decide what you’re going to do with all of the information you gather. Are there very specific concerns you can focus on (for example, too much time watching YouTube and not enough time doing homework)? Also, if you’re worried about specific people your kid is contacting or particular content they’re accessing, know that they could find a way to do an end-run around your controls by using someone else’s phone or hacking the controls. A positive relationship with your kid is a key ingredient to them staying open and honest, so find a way to work online monitoring into that relationship.

Path to self-regulation. Find ways to scale things back as you go, letting your kids know that you’re moving from, say once-a-day checks to twice-a-week, etc. Keep talking about the habits you want them to build and how they can be safe online.

GOAL: “I want to see as much as I can, including social media posts, pictures, email, and texts.”

What to look for. The ability to track and monitor social media content and messages — not just the time spent on Instagram or Snapchat. Avoid programs that require you to “jailbreak” the device. Programs like TeenSafe, Social Judo, and MamaBear let you read your teen’s social media posts, track their phone calls, and even see how fast they’re driving.

Before you begin. There’s some evidence to suggest that getting this far into your kids’ business can damage your relationship. But if you feel it’s necessary to see everything they’re saying and doing, perhaps because of previous transgressions, brushes with cyberbullying, or you’re just protective and concerned, consider being open and honest about the fact that you’re monitoring. Talk about why you feel it’s necessary, what you’re looking for, and what privacy you are willing to give them (because teenagers need some privacy as a part of their development). Try not to set up a game of cat-and-mouse (where you shut down one thing only to have your kid find a way around it). Your kid will play it — and win. If you’re monitoring the phone or device because you’re concerned that your kid is at risk, plan ahead for how you’ll handle sensitive information you gather.

Troubleshooting. You know that line from Jurassic Park, “Life finds a way”? The same is true of kids. While you’re monitoring one Instagram account, your kid may already have set up another. When kids feel like you’re spying on them, they often try to be more secretive. Make sure that they know you’re not trying to catch them doing something wrong or set them up for failure. Share your worries and your desire for their ultimate safe and responsible online behavior. Be clear about what’s OK and what’s out-of-bounds.

Path to self-regulation. Let them know what they need to do to end the monitoring. Is it when they buy their own phone? Get to a certain age? Do they need to prove something or earn trust? Define what it will take for them to have a bit more privacy and let them know you’ll still need to check in and want to stay involved in their online lives.

This post was syndicated with permission from Common Sense Media.

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Working out and eating right are at the top of most people’s New Year’s resolutions. But as tough as those are, nothing compares with the challenge of a healthy media diet. There are screen-time limits to manage, new apps to investigate, bizarre social media trends to make sense of (what’s with the mannequin challenge, anyway?), and, don’t forget, plenty more Pokémon to catch. It’s like a 24-hour all-you-can-eat buffet when all you really want is a carrot stick. But in a world where both parents and kids are racking up serious screen time, making a commitment to a healthy media environment is critical for family time, learning, relationships, and digital citizenship.

It won’t always be easy to make your media resolutions stick. Especially because we parents tend to gobble up as much screen time as our kids. Unlike those midnight-snack runs after the kids go to bed, however, your media habits are being recorded by tiny ears and eyes. But we’re all in this together: This fun, crazy, innovative, challenging media environment affects us all. So whether you’re turning over a new leaf or trying to stay the course, our 2017 media resolutions can help you be more mindful, focus on what’s most important, get the most out of media and technology, and raise good digital citizens.

Have a device-free dinner.

Piles of research show the benefits of family dinner. But the simple act of leaving your devices off the table — just a few times a week — allows you to role-model good digital habits (and actually talk to your kids).

• Try this one easy thing to improve your relationship with your kid.

When it comes to media, think quality, not quantity.

Instead of counting up every minute your kid spends watching YouTube, strive for a balance of online and offline activities throughout the week.

• Help your kids find high-quality movies, TV shows, apps, games, and books so their screen time has some nutritional value.

Use media for relationship strengthening.

While there are concerns that media isolates us, it can absolutely bring us together — if you take advantage of how it connects you.

• Try video-chatting, scrolling through digital photo albums, playing video games, and even sharing music playlists to bond with your kids.

Don’t ban; have a plan.

Keep an open mind about your kids’ media and tech, and accept the important — and often beneficial — role they play in your kids’ lives.  When you have clear lines of communication, you can slip in your messages.

• Create a family media plan to ensure that kids stick to limits. Encourage them to behave positively online and be upstanders. Talk to them about what they watch, play, create, and read.

Seek out diverse characters.

Exposure to a variety of types of people increases tolerance and acceptance and dispels dangerous stereotypes. Being able to get along with all types of people is a skill that will help kids whether they’re interacting online or in the real world.

• Have a family movie night and watch TV shows with diverse characters, movies with strong female characters, or movies with incredible role models for boys.

Raise media-savvy kids.

If 2016 was the year fake news went viral, make 2017 the year your kids learn how to view all media (not just “news”) critically.

• Explain how to see through fake news, and teach kids media smarts during breaking news.

Tighten your privacy.

Our increasingly connected world puts kids’ personal privacy and online data at risk. Just last year, several high-profile companies settled a suit alleging that they had violated the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA) by allowing kids’ data to be tracked. The ability to share anything at any time can be especially dicey to tweens and teens who may not be able to think through all the ways their posts can be used by others.

• Make sure kids use strict privacy settings on social media, apps, and other accounts, and make sure they know not to share any personal information (name, age, address, Social Security number) with people they meet online.

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ABOUT COMMON SENSE MEDIA: Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to:www.commonsense.org.

This post was syndicated with permission from Common Sense Media.

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Smosh, Good Mythical Morning, PewDiePie — the names may not mean much to you, but chances are your kids are on a first-name basis. Their funny hosts, off-the-cuff commentary, silly antics, and bewildering (to adults) subject matter put them among the most popular YouTube channels for young teens, garnering millions (and, in the case ofgame commentary PewDiePie, billions) of views. In fact, according to a recent survey of U.S. teens by Variety, the top five most influential celebrities are YouTube stars. But information about these personalities’ shows — the content, quality, and age-appropriateness, for example — isn’t easy for parents to find.

Unlike video games, movies, TV shows, and other media, YouTube channels pose a challenge for parents because anyone can create them, they crop up seemingly out of nowhere, they don’t follow program schedules, and they’re cast out among thousands of other videos. Still, there are clues to figuring out which channels and creators are OK for your kids. YouTube clearly has a huge impact, and you’ll learn a lot about your kids when you really dig into what they’re tuning into. (Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular YouTube stars.)

And it’s worth doing. Kids love discovering new videos on YouTube, and that often means exposure to iffy stuff — even when they’re not seeking it out. With some simple tools, you can help your kids regulate their habits and increase the chances that their experience will be positive. Also, read our detailed review of YouTube.

The Basics

Watch with your kid. Simply ask your kids what they’re watching and join them. In general, kids are tuning into certain channels or following specific YouTube personalities because they’re entertained by them. Many kids naturally want to share the videos they like.

Watch by yourself. If kids don’t want to share, get the name of the channel they’re watching and watch it later. Watch a few videos by the same creator to get a feel for the content.

Be sleuthy. If you’re concerned about the content your kid is watching on YouTube — and you’ve tried talking to her — there are ways of tracking her viewing habits. If she has a YouTube account (which only requires a Gmail address), her YouTube page will display her recently watched videos, recommended videos based on her watch history, and suggestions for channels similar to the ones she’s watched. Even if your kid deletes her “watch history,” the recommendations all will be related to stuff she’s watched.

Subscribe. Encourage your kids to subscribe to their favorite channels rather than hunting around on YouTube for the latest ones from a specific creator. Subscribers are notified when a new video is uploaded, plus all their channels are displayed in My Subscriptions, making it easier, and faster, to go directly to the stuff they like. Consider choosing subscriptions together, and make an event out of watching the newest uploads with your kids.

The Nitty-Gritty

Investigate the creator. The name of each video’s creator appears beneath the video window and usually has a bit of information about the person behind the video and/or the channel itself. Google the creator’s name to find out whether he or she has a Wikipedia page or another Web presence. You might find out that your kid’s favorite YouTube personality has an impressive reach. LGBT advocate Tyler Oakley, for example, has a huge fan base that crosses demographics, making him a positive role model for all kinds of kids.

Look at the suggestions. The suggested videos listed on the right-hand side of the page are related in some way to the main video. Evaluate them to see if they seem age-appropriate, and that will provide an indication of the appropriateness of the main video.

Consider the ads. If an ad plays before the video, that’s actually a good sign. To qualify for advertising and earn money (the goal of most YouTube channels), a creator must apply to be a YouTube partner by sending in some sample videos. YouTube rejects videos that don’t meet their terms of service and community guidelines — vulgar or stolen content, in other words. Yes, that means your kid sees more ads, but the trade-off seems worth it (and you can always mute the commercials).

Read the comments. YouTube comments are notorious for being negative, but it’s worth reading them to get a sense of the channels’ demographic and the tone of the discussion. Channel creators can moderate their comments to reduce the amount of negativity. Well-groomed comments are a good sign.

Watch the trailer. Many creators make highlight reels and trailers — basically video ads for the channels themselves (which usually appear first on the channel page). Definitely watch them if they’re available to get an overview of the host and the content.

Finding Good Stuff

Turn on safety mode. Be aware that YouTube is technically only for teens 13 and up, and what the site considers age-appropriate may not match your values. But YouTube offers a filter called Safety Mode that limits the iffy stuff. Simply scroll down to the bottom of any YouTube page. See where it says “Safety”? Click it on. (It will remain on for logged-in users on the same browser.)

Take YouTube’s advice. Most kids find out about new videos either from their friends or by clicking on the related videos (which may or may not be appropriate). But YouTube itself offers several ways to home in on quality content. Visit YouTube Nation for curated content in a variety of categories. Read about YouTube news on the company blog, and find out what’s trending all over the country on the Map and the Dashboard.

Watch later. YouTube gives you the ability to save videos to watch at a later time, which improves the odds that your kids will be exposed to stuff you’ve pre-approved. You can create playlists, too, virtually designing a customized programming schedule of content for each of your kids or for different subjects they’re interested in.

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ABOUT COMMON SENSE MEDIA: Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to:www.commonsense.org.

The post The Ultimate Parent Guide to YouTube first appeared on BonBon Break.

Once live on Twitter, the post was met with enthusiasm and people interpreted the selfie as a symbol of unity, albeit fleeting, for the two nations with adversarial relations.

Politics aside, the two female gymnasts were simply recording a moment in history and the selfie garnered immediate feedback. Most of the commentary that ensued was positive. There were many thumbs up and retweets.

Awesome. RT @ianbremmer: Gymnasts from North & South Korea take a selfie together. This is why we do the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/8RqN9TRb0Y

— SafetySuit (@SafetySuit) August 8, 2016

Maybe the selfie picture even reached your household.

Isn’t that the whole point of a selfie? You share an alluring or interesting snippet of your world to elicit a response from the people who view the selfie, and see how far of a reach you can get.

For most of us, the selfies we take don’t hold such clout or meaning as the selfie from the Olympic games. This is where the trouble can begin, especially for adolescents and pre-teens.

Growing Up in a Selfie World

Taking Selfies has become a predictable social phenomenon. We take selfies to capture a favorable glimpse of the self and share it outwardly for feedback. The quicker the feedback the more satisfying. Other selfies may reflect an outlandish act or capture a certain expression that evokes intense emotion. The goal of getting attention from others is the same.

With a natural proclivity for instant gratification and peer belonging, along with a newfound sense of independence, the selfie culture sets an ideal stage for today’s pre-teens and teens to pursue the wants associated with this developmental phase.

By studying brain activity, researchers have found that getting likes on social media elicits the same brain response as engaging in other pleasurable activities like eating chocolate or winning money. Yay for affirmation.

There are plenty of biological forces that intensify the urge to take a selfie and share it out, especially among teens. While selfie culture has a lot of superficiality, there are elements of depth to the process.

Selfies Part of Life Story

As humans, we tend to share our lives through a personal narrative. Social media makes it that much easier to convey the life story we have in mind. The Atlantic ran an article that aptly makes the point, “how you arrange the plot points in your life into a narrative can shape who you are — and is a fundamental part of being human.”

Selfie culture enables people, including kids, to wield great power over their personal life story.

It’s no wonder the internet is packed with tutorials on how to take the perfect selfie. Rewind back a few years and the words “selfie stick” had no place in our vernacular. Now there’s a whole economy swirling around the selfie culture that encourages these personal snapshots.

A photo gets snapped. Often there is dissatisfaction after a quick review.  Repeat. Then delete. Finally, there’s a finished product that undergoes alteration with filters and other editing techniques that create the right effect.

Teen Vogue reported that millennials will take up to 25,000 selfies across their lifespan, often spending 7 minutes per selfie to perfect the shot.

All that time spent on a selfie. Then what?

Danger of Selfie Culture

The danger of selfie culture comes into play when these channels don’t produce the feedback and results that are sought after. In other words, a selfie is posted and there’s no hype, or even worse there is harsh criticism.

Dr. Julie Carbray, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago, understands these ramifications through her work with adolescents. “Social media can also give a narrow view of who adolescents are, focusing more upon selfies (or body image) than one’s internal characteristics such as character, intellect, strength,” Carbray said.

“Adolescents who are easily shaped by the feedback and influence of the images and posts of their peers may often feel empty, inadequate, or challenged in how they see themselves in comparison,” Carbray added.

Feeling deflated after a scenario like that, how does a teen cope? Many parents need answers and a helpful strategy to talk through the implications of selfie culture with their kids.

Opening up a dialogue about someone else may be the key to having a meaningful conversation about selfie culture with your teen.

Chicago-based business executive Andrea A. Lewis and beauty expert Nicole Pearl teamed up to provide a timely resource for parents and educators to engage in discussions with teens on the very topic.

A Resource to Discuss Selfie Culture

Their book, Love Yourself(ie), Life Lessons for Building Kid Charisma,  offers a relatable scenario as the fictional character, Harper, learns that her self-worth can’t be validated through selfie culture and social media. Through self-acceptance, resilience and by understanding the limitations of social media, Harper is able to reclaim her confidence. The story is something teens can identify with growing up in the selfie culture.

Concerned that the ubiquity of selfies and social media has the potential to fracture adolescent self-esteem, Lewis wanted to give parents and educators a means to explore the social phenomenon of seeking affirmation and belonging through digital channels. The book provides a launching point to talk about how self-worth is not obtained through other people’s approval, but instead, comes from within.

“We all know that [kids] are judging self-worth by the number of likes, but why? It’s for popularity. Social media puts it on the public stage,” Lewis said in an interview. “[Kids] are obsessed with fitting in and they are making sure that they are not left out, and trying to keep up.”

Equipped with that knowledge, Lewis hopes parents can help give their children the tools to navigate the murky water of adolescence starting in middle school.

While teens are craving likes, parents need to be sure they have an opportunity to hone critical life skills. “It is even more important for kids to have resilience and self-acceptance, Lewis added. “The challenge is that middle school is when kids are trying to figure out who they are and how to act. Social media puts on that added pressure.”

An online community of parents on 30Second Mom found the book useful in spurring discussion with kids on selfie culture and all its implications.

Dr. Carbray cautions that there’s no escaping our digital world. “Social media is here to stay, and like any other aspect of their child’s life they will need to help them navigate it. This means regular discussions and monitoring, along with increasingly more trust and freedoms as the child shows their competency and skillfulness in navigating social media.”

The University of Illinois at Chicago has a resource available for parents on preventing social media from deflating preteen self-worth.

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This post syndicated with permission.

The post Let’s Take a Selfie, but First Let’s Discuss Growing Up in a Selfie World first appeared on BonBon Break.

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About Kelly Schryver : As a Senior Content Specialist at Common Sense Media, Kelly loves transforming the latest research on digital youth culture into engaging resources for schools, after-school programs, and families…

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