Digital Smarts Blog

You generally won't offend others while on your cell phone while walking down the street or on public transportation, but taking or making a call at the movies or church? No way. Those are some of the findings of a new survey by the Pew Research Center on what Americans consider appropriate use of cell phones in public or social settings. Predictably, the study found a definite generational divide over cell phone use, with 90% of 18-to-29-year-olds finding it appropriate to use phones on public transportation, compared with 54% of respondents older than age 65. Some 50% of younger users found cell use at a restaurant acceptable, compared with 26% of their elders. The study reflects how technology is rewriting the rules of civility in a world in which 90% of the US adult population say they have a cell phone and 31% say they never turn it off.

You generally won't offend others while on your cell phone while walking down the street or on public transportation, but taking or making a call at the movies or church? No way. Those are some of the findings of a new survey by the Pew Research Center on what Americans consider appropriate use of cell phones in public or social settings. Predictably, the study found a definite generational divide over cell phone use, with 90% of 18-to-29-year-olds finding it appropriate to use phones on public transportation, compared with 54% of respondents older than age 65. Some 50% of younger users found cell use at a restaurant acceptable, compared with 26% of their elders. The study reflects how technology is rewriting the rules of civility in a world in which 90% of the US adult population say they have a cell phone and 31% say they never turn it off.

Topics including the power of parental involvement and tech tips for the new school year, a virtual cornucopia of back-to-school resources for parents, are featured in a list on Edutopia. On the tech resources side, there are questions for parents to ask at back-to-school parent-teacher conferences as well as how to have a conversation with your kids about balancing media use and time on schoolwork.

Topics including the power of parental involvement and tech tips for the new school year, a virtual cornucopia of back-to-school resources for parents, are featured in a list on Edutopia. On the tech resources side, there are questions for parents to ask at back-to-school parent-teacher conferences as well as how to have a conversation with your kids about balancing media use and time on schoolwork.

Careful, what you tweet will show up in front of many more eyes. A partnership between Google and Twitter has resulted in tweets being shown in Google search results on mobile devices. Additionally, the same thing will be happening on your computer desktop and you don’t have to be specifically looking for a tweet for it to show up in search results. If Google thinks a tweet is relevant to a user's search, it will display that tweet. This does mean you (and your kids) need to be sure what you tweet is even more ready for world wide consumption because it will now be much easier to find or recall.

Careful, what you tweet will show up in front of many more eyes. A partnership between Google and Twitter has resulted in tweets being shown in Google search results on mobile devices. Additionally, the same thing will be happening on your computer desktop and you don’t have to be specifically looking for a tweet for it to show up in search results. If Google thinks a tweet is relevant to a user's search, it will display that tweet. This does mean you (and your kids) need to be sure what you tweet is even more ready for world wide consumption because it will now be much easier to find or recall.

A tech start up called Shuddle in the San Francisco Bay area is offering a carpooling service for parents who need to get their kids where they need to go but don’t have time to be a chauffeur. Shuddle vets its drivers for child- care experience and complies with California Public Utilities Commission screening rules for services catering to minors, including using fingerprint-based TrustLine background checks. Shuddle charges a $9 monthly service fee, which at present is limited to the Bay Area and suburbs. The company provided the example of a hypothetical carpool ride that, taken alone, would cost a parent $16 but after stopping for three other children along the route (and dropping everyone at the same final location) each rider pays $8 for a trip, netting the driver and Shuddle a total of $32.

A tech start up called Shuddle in the San Francisco Bay area is offering a carpooling service for parents who need to get their kids where they need to go but don’t have time to be a chauffeur. Shuddle vets its drivers for child- care experience and complies with California Public Utilities Commission screening rules for services catering to minors, including using fingerprint-based TrustLine background checks. Shuddle charges a $9 monthly service fee, which at present is limited to the Bay Area and suburbs. The company provided the example of a hypothetical carpool ride that, taken alone, would cost a parent $16 but after stopping for three other children along the route (and dropping everyone at the same final location) each rider pays $8 for a trip, netting the driver and Shuddle a total of $32.

Have you ever walked out of a store and been unable to remember where you parked your car? It happens to everyone, not just seniors, and now there is an app for that. Some of the gadgets that go with these apps can also tell where your kids are driving and where they are parked. The whole gamut of apps and gadgets, from the 99 cent variety to the $100 type, are covered in a USA Today article entitled Lost in the lot? Apps locate your parked car; even the cheapest ones have a lot to offer, granted you download them before you start aimlessly wandering the parking lot clicking the panic button on your key fob hoping you’ll spot your headlights blinking.

Have you ever walked out of a store and been unable to remember where you parked your car? It happens to everyone, not just seniors, and now there is an app for that. Some of the gadgets that go with these apps can also tell where your kids are driving and where they are parked. The whole gamut of apps and gadgets, from the 99 cent variety to the $100 type, are covered in a USA Today article entitled Lost in the lot? Apps locate your parked car; even the cheapest ones have a lot to offer, granted you download them before you start aimlessly wandering the parking lot clicking the panic button on your key fob hoping you’ll spot your headlights blinking.

It happens all the time – you drop your phone in a puddle or the pool, or even accidentally spill a glass of water over it. So what do you do? Take a look at this video on the USA Today site or copy the list of steps of what to do (and not to do).

It happens all the time – you drop your phone in a puddle or the pool, or even accidentally spill a glass of water over it. So what do you do? Take a look at this video on the USA Today site or copy the list of steps of what to do (and not to do).

For a quick review of the kinds of technology pitfalls that can create issues in the new school year, take a look at an article entitled 3 Kinds of Apps That Stir Up Drama in Schools. Aps like Snapchat, BurnNote, and Slingshotprovide the ability to send texts that self-destruct andhave been tied to a rise in sexting and cyberbullying which are gaining popularity with high school students. “True Confession” question and answer apps like Ask.fm and Whisper have also been tied to bullying and called a factor in teen suicides. Anonymous posting apps like Yik Yak, Streetchat, and several others can also be conduits for bullying and abuse.

For a quick review of the kinds of technology pitfalls that can create issues in the new school year, take a look at an article entitled 3 Kinds of Apps That Stir Up Drama in Schools. Aps like Snapchat, BurnNote, and Slingshotprovide the ability to send texts that self-destruct andhave been tied to a rise in sexting and cyberbullying which are gaining popularity with high school students. “True Confession” question and answer apps like Ask.fm and Whisper have also been tied to bullying and called a factor in teen suicides. Anonymous posting apps like Yik Yak, Streetchat, and several others can also be conduits for bullying and abuse.

Pew Research Center recently released a study determining that different forms of technology — from social media to mobile devices to video games — can help kids make new friends and maintain existing relationships. The study is a ray of hope in a sea of research evidence that usually derides the benefits of teen technology use. Some experts say this more hopeful outlook is a reflection of the fact that the public – and parents - are adapting to life in the digital age.

Pew Research Center recently released a study determining that different forms of technology — from social media to mobile devices to video games — can help kids make new friends and maintain existing relationships. The study is a ray of hope in a sea of research evidence that usually derides the benefits of teen technology use. Some experts say this more hopeful outlook is a reflection of the fact that the public – and parents - are adapting to life in the digital age.

According to a survey by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, obesity, bullying and drug abuse were the top three childhood health concerns in 2015, as cited by nearly 2,000 adults aged 18 and older. Internet safety and sexting came in at fourth and sixth place, respectively; notably, sexting moved dramatically from 13^th place in 2014. Researchers pointed out that many problems highlighted in the poll are health issues without clear cures, including internet safety concerns and cyberbullying, which adds to adults’ uncertainty about the best prevention and coping options.

According to a survey by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, obesity, bullying and drug abuse were the top three childhood health concerns in 2015, as cited by nearly 2,000 adults aged 18 and older. Internet safety and sexting came in at fourth and sixth place, respectively; notably, sexting moved dramatically from 13^th place in 2014. Researchers pointed out that many problems highlighted in the poll are health issues without clear cures, including internet safety concerns and cyberbullying, which adds to adults’ uncertainty about the best prevention and coping options.

Every state has an anti-bullying law. However, a recent survey, highlighted in District Administrator magazine shows that 30% of school districts do not have anti-bullying policies in place. Data also shows only 19% of districts require professional development on bullying and harassment. What is the policy at your local school? One expert points out that district policies which simply say ‘bullying is wrong’ aren’t much more effective than having no policy at all.

Every state has an anti-bullying law. However, a recent survey, highlighted in District Administrator magazine shows that 30% of school districts do not have anti-bullying policies in place. Data also shows only 19% of districts require professional development on bullying and harassment. What is the policy at your local school? One expert points out that district policies which simply say ‘bullying is wrong’ aren’t much more effective than having no policy at all.