Digital Smarts Blog

Social media is one of the biggest challenges for cybersecurity in the education sector, according to a report from Wombat Security Technologies. The report found that education professionals missed about one-third of assessment questions related to safe social media use. This serves as a good reminder for parents that they should take an active part in helping kids stay safe online and in using social media properly, and not entirely depend on schools to cover these kinds of topics.

Social media is one of the biggest challenges for cybersecurity in the education sector, according to a report from Wombat Security Technologies. The report found that education professionals missed about one-third of assessment questions related to safe social media use. This serves as a good reminder for parents that they should take an active part in helping kids stay safe online and in using social media properly, and not entirely depend on schools to cover these kinds of topics.

A case report in the Pediatrics journal describes four boys ages 9 to 16 who developed retinal damage caused by laser pointers. The children experienced acute, dramatic symptoms including absent, blurry or distorted vision in the center of the visual field, and three of the children had likely irreversible vision loss. Part of the issue is that pointers are not always properly labeled and may be stronger than indicated on the packaging. Researchers hope these findings will prompt pediatricians, parents and teachers to warn kids of the health risks of laser pointer devices and limit or discourage their use among children.

A case report in the Pediatrics journal describes four boys ages 9 to 16 who developed retinal damage caused by laser pointers. The children experienced acute, dramatic symptoms including absent, blurry or distorted vision in the center of the visual field, and three of the children had likely irreversible vision loss. Part of the issue is that pointers are not always properly labeled and may be stronger than indicated on the packaging. Researchers hope these findings will prompt pediatricians, parents and teachers to warn kids of the health risks of laser pointer devices and limit or discourage their use among children.

In the rush of modern life, it is so easy to accidently trash a message you wanted to keep. Is there anything that can be done? Take a look at this list of steps to prevent that frustrating moment.

In the rush of modern life, it is so easy to accidently trash a message you wanted to keep. Is there anything that can be done? Take a look at this list of steps to prevent that frustrating moment.

Did you know you can use your smartphone as an early warning system for emergency situations? Check out the recent article from the NY Times that explains how to enable your phone to automatically receive free extreme weather alerts, messages about local emergencies and alerts regarding missing children.  The Google Public Alerts system from the Google Crisis Response Team may also be useful for getting information before or during natural disasters. Another alert system that is available for desktop as well as mobile browsers is the Public Alerts map, which shows where emergencies are happening around the world and offers links to traffic, weather, evacuation resources and more.

Did you know you can use your smartphone as an early warning system for emergency situations? Check out the recent article from the NY Times that explains how to enable your phone to automatically receive free extreme weather alerts, messages about local emergencies and alerts regarding missing children.  The Google Public Alerts system from the Google Crisis Response Team may also be useful for getting information before or during natural disasters. Another alert system that is available for desktop as well as mobile browsers is the Public Alerts map, which shows where emergencies are happening around the world and offers links to traffic, weather, evacuation resources and more.

With the unfolding of both a contentious political season and a new school year, a recent article on the BBC reminds us that we need to be careful what we post. It is always important to consider who can read your social media posts, especially if you are thinking about sharing controversial opinions, discussing politics, or venting about work or school situations. The article reminds readers that social media posts can also have an effect on job searches, since potential employers are likely to take a look at your accounts before hiring you.

With the unfolding of both a contentious political season and a new school year, a recent article on the BBC reminds us that we need to be careful what we post. It is always important to consider who can read your social media posts, especially if you are thinking about sharing controversial opinions, discussing politics, or venting about work or school situations. The article reminds readers that social media posts can also have an effect on job searches, since potential employers are likely to take a look at your accounts before hiring you.

Marvel Comics will feature science, technology, engineering, arts and math subjects on five upcoming covers to engage young readers in those fields. The covers will show well-known superheroes, including Spider-Man, Moon Girl, the Hulk, and a new female character in the Iron Man saga named Riri Williams, doing STEAM-related activities.

Marvel Comics will feature science, technology, engineering, arts and math subjects on five upcoming covers to engage young readers in those fields. The covers will show well-known superheroes, including Spider-Man, Moon Girl, the Hulk, and a new female character in the Iron Man saga named Riri Williams, doing STEAM-related activities.

A recent study at Princeton University found computer software that uses algorithms to learn human language can also pick up on prejudices among words that even humans may fail to recognize. Researchers used nearly 1 trillion words taken from the internet and tested word association using machine-learning algorithms – those that are learned by example. They found that machines ended up mimicking many human biases after finding word connections to genders or traditional masculine and feminine traits.

A recent study at Princeton University found computer software that uses algorithms to learn human language can also pick up on prejudices among words that even humans may fail to recognize. Researchers used nearly 1 trillion words taken from the internet and tested word association using machine-learning algorithms – those that are learned by example. They found that machines ended up mimicking many human biases after finding word connections to genders or traditional masculine and feminine traits.

Dr. Mary Aiken is the world's leading expert in forensic cyberpsychology - a discipline that combines psychology, criminology and technology to investigate the intersection between technology and human behavior. In her new book, The Cyber Effect: A Pioneering Cyberpsychologist Explains How Human Behaviour Changes Online, she covers everything from the impact of screens on the developing child to the explosion of teen sexting to the acceleration of compulsive and addictive online behaviors (gaming, shopping, pornography). The book is a must read for parents who want to understand the cyber effect on the future of their children.

Dr. Mary Aiken is the world's leading expert in forensic cyberpsychology - a discipline that combines psychology, criminology and technology to investigate the intersection between technology and human behavior. In her new book, The Cyber Effect: A Pioneering Cyberpsychologist Explains How Human Behaviour Changes Online, she covers everything from the impact of screens on the developing child to the explosion of teen sexting to the acceleration of compulsive and addictive online behaviors (gaming, shopping, pornography). The book is a must read for parents who want to understand the cyber effect on the future of their children.

Researchers have found that the TV Parental Guidelines that were put in place in the 90’s are not accurate for most programs on television today. According to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, violence is prevalent across shows, regardless of rating. TV-Y7 rated shows, intended for kids age 7 and older, had similar levels of violence as TV-MA shows – shows that are rated for mature audiences only. Most people don’t realize that the networks or media divisions of companies like Netflix put the ratings on their own shows. Some suggestions from experts for parents include watching media with their kids and talking about risk behaviors they see in media such as alcohol use, smoking, sex and violence.

Researchers have found that the TV Parental Guidelines that were put in place in the 90’s are not accurate for most programs on television today. According to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, violence is prevalent across shows, regardless of rating. TV-Y7 rated shows, intended for kids age 7 and older, had similar levels of violence as TV-MA shows – shows that are rated for mature audiences only. Most people don’t realize that the networks or media divisions of companies like Netflix put the ratings on their own shows. Some suggestions from experts for parents include watching media with their kids and talking about risk behaviors they see in media such as alcohol use, smoking, sex and violence.

A recent study finds that the closer teens are with each other, the more likely they are to cyberbully one another. The study, “Toxic Ties: Networks of Friendship, Dating, and Cyber Victimization,” suggests that cyberbullying is more likely to happen between current and former friends and dating partners, identifying competition as the cause. Diane Felmlee, lead author of the study, writes “Friends, or former friends, are particularly likely to find themselves in situations in which they are vying for the same school, club, and/or sport positions and social connections. In terms of dating partners, young people often have resentful and hurt feelings as a result of a breakup, and they may take out these feelings on a former partner via cyber aggression. They might also believe they can win back a previous boyfriend or girlfriend, or prevent that person from breaking up with them or dating someone else, by embarrassing or harassing him or her." While this somewhat common knowledge about how the world of high school works, it is a good reminder for parents that the term “friend” is often a very loose one in the teen world.

A recent study finds that the closer teens are with each other, the more likely they are to cyberbully one another. The study, “Toxic Ties: Networks of Friendship, Dating, and Cyber Victimization,” suggests that cyberbullying is more likely to happen between current and former friends and dating partners, identifying competition as the cause. Diane Felmlee, lead author of the study, writes “Friends, or former friends, are particularly likely to find themselves in situations in which they are vying for the same school, club, and/or sport positions and social connections. In terms of dating partners, young people often have resentful and hurt feelings as a result of a breakup, and they may take out these feelings on a former partner via cyber aggression. They might also believe they can win back a previous boyfriend or girlfriend, or prevent that person from breaking up with them or dating someone else, by embarrassing or harassing him or her." While this somewhat common knowledge about how the world of high school works, it is a good reminder for parents that the term “friend” is often a very loose one in the teen world.