Digital Smarts Blog

A new survey shows the majority of college admissions officials believe social media, college rankings and printed recruitment material are the biggest influences on students deciding on a school. However, a separate survey of students found that many did not consider rankings or printed material in their decisions and solely used social media to connect with current students -- rather than admissions officials -- to learn about the school. The survey also revealed that students don’t mind engaging with admissions staff through social media, but they prefer to be the ones initiating the contact.

A new survey shows the majority of college admissions officials believe social media, college rankings and printed recruitment material are the biggest influences on students deciding on a school. However, a separate survey of students found that many did not consider rankings or printed material in their decisions and solely used social media to connect with current students -- rather than admissions officials -- to learn about the school. The survey also revealed that students don’t mind engaging with admissions staff through social media, but they prefer to be the ones initiating the contact.

Memorized any phone numbers lately? Do you have to stop and think about your own number for a second before you tell it to someone else? You aren’t alone. Out of more than 1,000 Americans surveyed for a recent report from cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, more than half said they couldn't recall the phone numbers of their friends and neighbors. Forty four percent said they couldn't even remember their own sibling's numbers. This survey and other recent research shows that we are developing a collective “digital amnesia” -- replacing the memorization of specific facts with the knowledge that the information is digitally stored and can be looked up if needed. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We have access to more information than ever before, but by not storing as much in our brains, it might just allow us to think through things with more mental processing power.

Memorized any phone numbers lately? Do you have to stop and think about your own number for a second before you tell it to someone else? You aren’t alone. Out of more than 1,000 Americans surveyed for a recent report from cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab, more than half said they couldn't recall the phone numbers of their friends and neighbors. Forty four percent said they couldn't even remember their own sibling's numbers. This survey and other recent research shows that we are developing a collective “digital amnesia” -- replacing the memorization of specific facts with the knowledge that the information is digitally stored and can be looked up if needed. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We have access to more information than ever before, but by not storing as much in our brains, it might just allow us to think through things with more mental processing power.

Monica Lewinsky, the intern famous for her affair almost 20 years ago with then President Clinton, calls herself “patient zero” when it comes to online shaming, as her story is perhaps the earliest example of what internet shame can do to someone’s life. Recently she has become an advocate for targets of cyberbullying and has been speaking out on the topic. Her thoughts are worth reading and could make an excellent discussion starter with teens.

Monica Lewinsky, the intern famous for her affair almost 20 years ago with then President Clinton, calls herself “patient zero” when it comes to online shaming, as her story is perhaps the earliest example of what internet shame can do to someone’s life. Recently she has become an advocate for targets of cyberbullying and has been speaking out on the topic. Her thoughts are worth reading and could make an excellent discussion starter with teens.

Did you know Memorial Day through Labor Day is known as the "100 deadliest days" for young drivers? A recent article in Psychology Today covers the diverting situations teen drivers face, including texting and talking on a cell phone, and what you need to know before handing over the keys to the family car.

Did you know Memorial Day through Labor Day is known as the "100 deadliest days" for young drivers? A recent article in Psychology Today covers the diverting situations teen drivers face, including texting and talking on a cell phone, and what you need to know before handing over the keys to the family car.

People often warn one another not to read the comments on controversial blog posts or YouTube videos, but Mark O’Connell argues in a recent article in the New Yorker magazine that such commentary is the stuff of which the Web is made. Even when the poster specifically warns others not to read the comments, most readers will find themselves clicking the link to find out why, usually finding a long list of ill-willed provocations and inanities. O’Connell argues that reading the comments should be done in the academic sense - reading for analysis and contextualization. Perhaps this can be another skill added to the list of what young digital citizens should be exposed to at school? It certainly is another ‘take’ on how to handle the hateful writing of trolls online.

People often warn one another not to read the comments on controversial blog posts or YouTube videos, but Mark O’Connell argues in a recent article in the New Yorker magazine that such commentary is the stuff of which the Web is made. Even when the poster specifically warns others not to read the comments, most readers will find themselves clicking the link to find out why, usually finding a long list of ill-willed provocations and inanities. O’Connell argues that reading the comments should be done in the academic sense - reading for analysis and contextualization. Perhaps this can be another skill added to the list of what young digital citizens should be exposed to at school? It certainly is another ‘take’ on how to handle the hateful writing of trolls online.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has reported that many large tech companies, including Cisco Systems, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Adobe, have increased data protections and continue to push back against government requests for user information. The EFF says nearly a quarter of tech firms have publicly refused to build "back-door" capabilities for government surveillance that allow the collection of data without prior notice or formal warrant. In order to combat crime, the FBI, for example, wants the ability to access every American's cell phone to see pictures, messages and phone calls. Those in opposition argue that providing a way for the government to access data can allow hackers to access the data as well, and that any terrorists trying to avoid the FBI can easily download software tools that would hide their communications.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has reported that many large tech companies, including Cisco Systems, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Adobe, have increased data protections and continue to push back against government requests for user information. The EFF says nearly a quarter of tech firms have publicly refused to build "back-door" capabilities for government surveillance that allow the collection of data without prior notice or formal warrant. In order to combat crime, the FBI, for example, wants the ability to access every American's cell phone to see pictures, messages and phone calls. Those in opposition argue that providing a way for the government to access data can allow hackers to access the data as well, and that any terrorists trying to avoid the FBI can easily download software tools that would hide their communications.

Looking for some new, age-appropriate Android apps for your kids this summer? Common Sense Media and Google Play have worked together to create a list of top rated games, creativity tools, puzzles and more to help you make smart choices. The list contains both free and paid apps, and includes a variety of types from puzzles to math games.

Looking for some new, age-appropriate Android apps for your kids this summer? Common Sense Media and Google Play have worked together to create a list of top rated games, creativity tools, puzzles and more to help you make smart choices. The list contains both free and paid apps, and includes a variety of types from puzzles to math games.

A new trend in cybercrime is exploiting the increased use of connected digital devices in medical settings. Hackers are installing malware on hospital computer networks to target and steal patient data. Experts who track these kinds of intrusions say that medical data is worth ten times the value of credit card data on the electronic black market. Why? Crime syndicates and foreign attackers buy and sell it for extortion and blackmail schemes. Cybersecurity efforts to stop these kinds of thefts continue to grow as well, but it is hard to keep up with the attacks that constantly grow bolder and more powerful online.

A new trend in cybercrime is exploiting the increased use of connected digital devices in medical settings. Hackers are installing malware on hospital computer networks to target and steal patient data. Experts who track these kinds of intrusions say that medical data is worth ten times the value of credit card data on the electronic black market. Why? Crime syndicates and foreign attackers buy and sell it for extortion and blackmail schemes. Cybersecurity efforts to stop these kinds of thefts continue to grow as well, but it is hard to keep up with the attacks that constantly grow bolder and more powerful online.

For many educators, using social media is a double-edged sword. It can be a great way to engage students or communicate with parents, but it also can be difficult to navigate when schools don’t have explicit written policies about usage. How can teachers use social media for good in the classroom and for communicating with parents? Some insight into what happens on the “other side of the desk” appears in an article entitled “Helpful Or Harmful? Educators Struggle With Social Media” on the National Public Radio Illinois site.

For many educators, using social media is a double-edged sword. It can be a great way to engage students or communicate with parents, but it also can be difficult to navigate when schools don’t have explicit written policies about usage. How can teachers use social media for good in the classroom and for communicating with parents? Some insight into what happens on the “other side of the desk” appears in an article entitled “Helpful Or Harmful? Educators Struggle With Social Media” on the National Public Radio Illinois site.

The hard truth for parents about technology, writes Carl Hooker, the director of innovation and digital learning at Eanes ISD in Texas, is that there is no easy way to keep kids safe when it comes to their online life. He comments, “Schools need to be having conversations with parents about the digital responsibilities their kids need to be adopting.” To help get the conversation started, Hooker and the Eanes ISD offers an iTunesU course called Digital Parenting 101.

The hard truth for parents about technology, writes Carl Hooker, the director of innovation and digital learning at Eanes ISD in Texas, is that there is no easy way to keep kids safe when it comes to their online life. He comments, “Schools need to be having conversations with parents about the digital responsibilities their kids need to be adopting.” To help get the conversation started, Hooker and the Eanes ISD offers an iTunesU course called Digital Parenting 101.