Digital Smarts Blog

Given all the time kids have been spending online during the COVID-19 crisis, there is some good news. Despite the amount of time spent on phones and computers, young people's social skills are not declining, according to the American Journal of Sociology. The study found similarities in how children who started school in 1998 and 2010 formed and maintained friendships, regulated their tempers and managed self-control.

The basics of talking to your kids about staying safe on all the latest and greatest social media apps is not all that different then the general digital safety cautionary conversation you have probably had with them about the Internet in general. If you need a refresher, here is link to the basics of what should be part of that conversation. The most important thing to remember? Remind them that anything that is posted is permanent, even if you have deleted it or shared it on an app like Snapchat, where the message is supposed to disappear. There is always a chance someone could take a screen shot or can hack into your archive. Once it is up, you never know where it may pop up again.

For currently popular apps such as TikTok, Instagram and more, parents will need to spend a little time getting familiar with them in order to have any credibility in talking about them. There are lots of guides available for parents, complete with all the cautions you need to emphasize. Common Sense Media, for example, has a parent’s section complete with quick tip guides on Instagram and TikTok. They often do follow up articles on other problems that crop up with each app over time, so don’t just click on the first guide you see  - look for one that has been done more recently to make sure you have the latest information on how kids are using the app and what issues have surfaced. USA Today  also specializes in creating these kinds of parent guides. Take advantage of what others have discovered and keep your ears open for other issues and new apps that parents in your children’s social orbit may be talking about.

If you are parent in the Digital Age, you’ve probably heard a lot about guidelines on screen time. Many parents look to those screen time guidelines, such as the ones from the American Academy of Pediatricians, for the daily maximum time acceptable for your children to be in front of a screen. But let’s face it, and even research backs this up, there are different kinds of screen time and they are not all equal. Lots of factors come into play when it comes to media – is it educational, are parents and kids watching or playing something together and talking about it, or is it Facetime session with the grandparents? Maybe kids are watching drawing tutorial on YouTube or someone reading a book out loud, which is very different than hours of cartoons. Context matters.

Central to those guidelines, also, has always been the premise that parents know their child best and should use their discretion. You undoubtedly already have some ideas about when to stretch screen time allowance when your kids are watching something of high interest to them. That is part of recognizing that all media experiences are not equal, and that quality certainly trumps quantity.

Kids are also incredibly social beings, and during this period of social separation, that void is also being filled by technology connections. Kids may be watching more Netflix and playing more video games, but they are also video chatting more, playing games with friends online, and even having virtual play dates. While these online experiences will never replace person-to-person connections, using tech to keep kids in touch with peers and family is especially important in these times of social distancing.

So where does that leave you?

• Don’t beat yourself up if your kids have upped their screen time. We are in unprecedented times. At this point, screen time is their only way to connect with the outside world.
• Try to find good content. Find reviews of all kinds of media for kids on sites like Common Sense Media and even Rotten Tomatoes.
• Keep it creative. Make sure they are not just passively using technology all day. Let them use your phone to take pictures and videos and figure out all the special features like slow motion, 360 views and whatever else is available to them. Ask them to make a video diary of their day or that of the family pet. Record dance videos, magic tricks, or short skits and send them off to grandparents to cheer them up. Let them play with some of the free creative apps that are available on your phone or computer like Comic Life for making comic books or drawing apps for all ages.
• Keep connected. Use the technology to connect to other people and mix it up. Everything does not have to be a straight up conversation or video chat. Have a joke day where everyone has to offer a favorite joke, a picture they have drawn, or a small video they have made.
• Keep talking. One of the biggest issues experts have with technology for children is that watching passively does help with building language skills the way interpersonal communication does. So when kids are watching, try to join them when you can and then talk about what they are seeing, reading or playing. Ask about what issues or ideas came up in a story, inquire what characters they liked or didn’t like and why, and listen when they tell you about some great move they made in a game to get to the next level.
• Get out and keep it balanced. If you are somewhere they can get outside, try to get out every day even it is just for a walk. Try to do things that don’t involve screens, even if it is just organizing their closets or reading a book.

Online classes at several schools, on all grade levels, have been invaded by “Zoom-bombing,” an ugly new activity in which hackers disrupt virtual sessions in the Zoom app to display pornography, racism and other disturbing images. Some districts have even suspended use of the app because of these threats. However, there are ways to prevent this kind of activity, and you can pass those along to a teacher. It is important for parents to remember that many teachers were thrust into this world of online teaching without a lot of notice or preparation, and Zoom is a brand new resource to them. You can help teachers figure out all the precautions to take, such as requiring passwords for each session, guarding meeting URLs and restricting screen sharing. Parents should also remember that with any online activity there is potential for something to go wrong, and you should be prepared to talk to your children if they see something that upsets them.

New resources for schooling at home are being pulled together by some of the best known and vetted sources. Recently, National Geographic launched a new online hub, NatGeo@Home, which pulls together all of National Geographic’s family-friendly educational content into a one-stop shop for parents and teachers alike. The free digital resource for K-12 students combines the educational content from the National Geographic Society with those from National Geographic Kids and other tools and services. This includes access to the National Geographic Society’s Learn at Home portal, featuring educational content like articles, lessons, videos, other online activities and more. In addition, children’s media nonprofit Common Sense just last week debuted Wide Open School, a comprehensive collection of resources for parents and teachers that included age-appropriate educational activities as well as daily schedules.

Looking for a way to “get away” when you can’t actually get away? A company in South Africa is offering free daily livestreams of safaris through the end of April, according to Lonely Planet. The excursions are completely authentic so you never know what you are going to see (or not see!). Some of the livestreams even cater to kids, with guides answering questions the kids ask. Because of the time difference, the safaris begin at times that might not fit your schedule, but they last a couple hours and if you catch one before it ends, you can rewind the YouTube video back to the beginning.

Living with a high school senior? Campus closures mean a change of plans for current college students as well as prospective ones. Dozens of schools have taken to digital tools to give virtual tours in lieu of traditional campus tours for high school seniors and are pushing back admissions deadlines, however there is a chance these seniors may end up picking a college to attend without setting foot there.

Your kids are probably spending more time online then ever before, so now is a better time than ever to work on digital safety. Think about things such as navigating digital information, vetting sources and fact checking, to name a few. Check out this set of 10 short videos on YouTube from Crash Course. The videos, ranging in length from 5 to 13 minutes, cover fact checking, lateral reading, vetting sources, the pros and cons of using Wikipedia as a source, evaluating photos and videos and data and infographics, and even how not to be drawn in by click bait. Brain Pop also has an excellent Media Literacy video for older kids on how to be a savvy consumer of mass media, including topics such as how to evaluate advertising, news stories, opinion pieces and other hidden persuasions. For a quick read on the subject, try 5 Essential Media Literacy Questions for Kids .

The popularity of videoconferencing app Zoom has been surging during the Corona lockdown, with people using it for everything from tele-schooling to business conference calls, but there have been lots of privacy issues emerging. These concerns stem from the fact that Zoom "collects a lot of data from users about their devices, activities and data shared or transferred." There also seem to be flaws that allow attackers to gain physical control of your computer and the ability to install malware or spyware.

If you are using Zoom, check out some advice on using the app and protecting your privacy and personal data.

At first glance, this infographic from Social Media Today with statistics about online product reviews may not seem relevant to a discussion about cyberbullying, however one statistic stands out. The research indicates that it takes 40 positive reviews to undo damage done by just one negative review. That same kind of disproportional damage can be inflicted with bullying comments online. This kind of evidence can give your discussion with your kids of how to steer clear of cyberbullying a bit of real world perspective.

In partnership with the CDC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, Apple recently launched a new website and app for COVID-19 symptom screenings. The screening tools ask users questions about recent exposure, symptoms and risk factors and recommends next steps, including testing if warranted. Although developed through Apple, you do not need an Apple account to access the tools.

The FBI is alerting parents, teachers and caregivers to the increased risk of online child sexual exploitation as children spend more time on the Internet while schools are closed because of the coronavirus. The agency urges parents to discuss Internet safety with children and to review the apps, games and websites that are being used. They also suggest parents adjust online settings if they can’t physically watch their children’s online activity. Do an online search to find out how to adjust the privacy settings on the specific devices your children use. Some signs that your child may be in contact with an online predator include increased nightmares, withdrawn behaviors, angry outbursts, anxiety and depression. And in case you need it, here is a checklist of things you should be talking to your kids about Internet safety.

With school closures and COVID-19 lockdowns, kids are spending a lot more time online, increasing the risk of them stumbling into dark corners of the Web. Add to this the fact that many parents are also now working from home, and unable to supervise what their children are doing, and the problem grows exponentially. In order to help, Facebook has recently launched a new education resource for kids, parents and educators that aims to "provide lessons and resources to help young people develop the competencies and skills they need to more safely navigate the Internet". The new initiative - called simply 'Get Digital' - includes several dedicated education areas, each of which features a video overview, and links to a range of tools and resources to help improve digital literacy.

Staying in with perhaps with more free time, many people are sharing tips for organizing your home and your life, but something different you may not have thought of is your organizing digital device. Consider rearranging the apps on your phone to create a F-pattern. Experts say that creating an F-pattern can help you be more productive with your phone and keep you away from the apps that may suck up your time, and give you more access to those that can make you more productive. It actually comes down to the way our brains scan print and pictorial pages.

Technology is a lifeline for many during the stay at home orders of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is allowing people to work and go to school remotely, stay entertained, and instantly check in with those we care about. It is also makes it possible for scientists to look at real time data about outbreaks and model everything from best to worst case scenarios.

In addition, a vast array of technology resources for keeping kids busy at home are being offered online, but a few words of caution. While there are lots of resources coming from vetted sources, it is still important to make sure you know what your children are viewing and to check in with them on a regular basis. Check out the Common Sense Media site for free reviews and ratings of movies, TV shows, apps and games. While you may have to relax your screen time restrictions to get through your “work from home” day, it is important to keep their day as varied as possible. You can break up those screen time binges with a few minutes outside, a clean up the house project (there are lots of great ideas for making cleaning fun for kids), a craft project, cooking, baking, 15 minutes of family exercises, playing a board or card game, a walk with the dog, or anything that does not involve looking at a screen.

Now is also a great time to help your elementary and older kids use technology in a more engaging way. Instead of having screen time where they are strict consumers of content, try introducing projects where they use the technology in creative ways. For younger kids, look for printables that they can use to make things such as masks, puppets, model buildings, and so much more. There are also loads of inexpensive or free apps for phones and laptops for activities such as composing music or making and editing short movies, comic strips or stop action snippets. Some other ideas:

• Make Your Own Game: Ask them to make up a board game on a subject of interest to them and have them find, resize and use graphics from online sources.
• Travel Research: Have them to do some research on places to consider for your next family trip. You could even have them create their own travel brochure.
• Make a Photo Book: Put together a family cookbook complete with pictures or create a photo album of a notable day, sports team they were on, or trip.
• Make Something Special for Somone: Got birthdays or other special occasions coming up? Have your kids create magazine covers featuring a picture of the person being celebrated and come up with “featured” article tag lines to describe the person or what they do.
• “Visit” Museums, Zoos or Aquariums: Start by searching for your local museum, zoo or aquarium online for lessons and supplemental materials as they may have things specific to your state’s science curriculum. On the national level, the Smithsonian has science, art history and culture activities for kids of all ages. For a cross section look at what museums all over the world feature try the link  “Cool Online Museums for Curious Kids.”
• Virtual Art Lessons: Looking for something to break up the day? Do a search for Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems from The Kennedy Center. Or the Art for Kids Hub

In short, look for activities where kids use the technology to create and are not just being entertained by staring at a screen. In addition, here are some categories of resources, with specific examples, you may want to look at just for fun or to supplement online lessons your children are doing.

Lastly, if you are struggling to balance work and life with taking care of your kids at home, give yourself some grace and remember there is a distinction between “working from home” and continuing to do your job at home during a crisis.

With kids doing classwork online due to prolonged school closures during the coronavirus pandemic, it is good for parents to remember to vary what they are doing by not only adding some physical activity to screen time, but also to remember engaging in just plain old conversation. Adding that language component is extra important in these times of reliance on digital learning and entertainment, JAMA Pediatrics points out in a recent article. They cite that while high-quality educational screen content is associated with better language skills, more overall time on screens each day, regardless of its quality, is linked to lower language development. Sheri Madigan, lead researcher from the University of Calgary in Canada, says school leaders and educators can help parents develop plans to keep screen time in check.

While we are all required to stay physically apart during the COVID-19 pandemic, our physical and mental health and the success of our organizations will rely on seeking out emotional and relational connections during this time, write Michael Lee Stallard and Katharine P. Stallard. They offer 12 steps to avoid loneliness while social distancing, such as engaging in creative group activities, using online resources to learn something new, and seeking to serve others – things that apply to both adults and children.

Have your kids read and reread every book in your house while practicing social distancing?  Check out this list of places to access free audio books that can be listened to on a computer, laptop, phone or tablet; digital books that can be read on any of the same devices; and even pdfs of books that can be printed out and stapled together. For the time schools are closed, Audible is offering a collection of stories kids can instantly stream including titles across six different languages, “that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids”. All stories are free to stream a desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. You can also check YouTube to watch videos of books being read aloud, such as the book version of the Disney Pixar film Coco, for example.

Social distancing is tough on everyone, kids included, but there are quite a few ways you could help your kids interact with others virtually. Using Facetime (on an Apple product) or programs like Skype or Zoom, you can set up virtual play dates with your kids' friends or family members. Try a setting up a show and tell, completing a LEGO challenge, drawing pictures for others, or even playing board games (there are lots of board games that have free or inexpensive virtual versions). Check out some of these ideas kids can use to keep each other busy, or to cheer up a grandparent or other family member who is in isolation.

The coronavirus virus pandemic is offering a whole new set of challenges for parents and kids who want to be sure they are vetting and evaluating the media frenzy surrounding the outbreak. To this end, Common Sense Media is offering a set of Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic that can be very useful including how to explain the news to kids, apps to help with mental health and stress and how to teach kids to be media savvy.