Digital Smarts Blog

There are a slew of new apps that allow users to “catfish” others by faking phone calls, texts, and even location. Fake Conversation gives you a call with a recorded script and you can pretend to talk back. While it is mainly for prank calls, it can also be used to impress, trick, or ditch people. Fake GPS Location is an app that lets users fake where they are (through GPS location) and can be applied to other apps, so when a teen posts to social media it can appear as though they are posting from a different location. Gotta Go sets up fake calls or texts to be received at a predetermined time. Instafame helps you build your Instagram followers for a price. And now, teens can set up their own Imaginary Girlfriend or Invisible Boyfriend that sends texts appearing to come from a significant other, even giving a picture to post on social media and a made-up "this is how we met" story.

There are a slew of new apps that allow users to “catfish” others by faking phone calls, texts, and even location. Fake Conversation gives you a call with a recorded script and you can pretend to talk back. While it is mainly for prank calls, it can also be used to impress, trick, or ditch people. Fake GPS Location is an app that lets users fake where they are (through GPS location) and can be applied to other apps, so when a teen posts to social media it can appear as though they are posting from a different location. Gotta Go sets up fake calls or texts to be received at a predetermined time. Instafame helps you build your Instagram followers for a price. And now, teens can set up their own Imaginary Girlfriend or Invisible Boyfriend that sends texts appearing to come from a significant other, even giving a picture to post on social media and a made-up "this is how we met" story.

Experts are using multiple sources of data about cyberbullying to come to new conclusions, some of which are counter to the prevailing thought on the subject. For example, researchers now say that harsh disciplinary measures or ”zero tolerance” policies at school may backfire, as those who observe the bullying will stay quiet if they perceive the punishment to be too harsh, or if they think resentment against the target will be worse if they notify an adult. As one expert put it, “Harsh consequences delivered by controlling adults also deepen the chasm between the adult world and the student world.” The wider that chasm, the less likely students will be to call out one of their own against controlling adults who they perceive don’t understand their world.

In addition, more than half of the high schoolers who responded to a recent survey reported that adults in their schools “did little or nothing,” or “fairly little” to cut down on bullying, making students even less likely to report incidents. Survey also show there is evidence that the message that bullying leads to suicide can give targeted kids the idea that harming themselves is an acceptable way to respond. If your school or district is sponsoring programs on bullying or is rethinking their policies, you may want to forward them the article 10 Realities About Bullying at School and Online from Mind/Shift on the KQED site.

Experts are using multiple sources of data about cyberbullying to come to new conclusions, some of which are counter to the prevailing thought on the subject. For example, researchers now say that harsh disciplinary measures or ”zero tolerance” policies at school may backfire, as those who observe the bullying will stay quiet if they perceive the punishment to be too harsh, or if they think resentment against the target will be worse if they notify an adult. As one expert put it, “Harsh consequences delivered by controlling adults also deepen the chasm between the adult world and the student world.” The wider that chasm, the less likely students will be to call out one of their own against controlling adults who they perceive don’t understand their world.

In addition, more than half of the high schoolers who responded to a recent survey reported that adults in their schools “did little or nothing,” or “fairly little” to cut down on bullying, making students even less likely to report incidents. Survey also show there is evidence that the message that bullying leads to suicide can give targeted kids the idea that harming themselves is an acceptable way to respond. If your school or district is sponsoring programs on bullying or is rethinking their policies, you may want to forward them the article 10 Realities About Bullying at School and Online from Mind/Shift on the KQED site.

IBM’s Super Computer Watson team is working with Sesame Street to develop a new suite of preschool products that could range from consumer apps and toys to educational tools for schools. The company says it entered into this partnership because it wants to provide personalized learning to as many kids around the world as possible. The Watson technology could provide toys with the capability to talk and interact with preschoolers to teach them early reading and math skills.

IBM’s Super Computer Watson team is working with Sesame Street to develop a new suite of preschool products that could range from consumer apps and toys to educational tools for schools. The company says it entered into this partnership because it wants to provide personalized learning to as many kids around the world as possible. The Watson technology could provide toys with the capability to talk and interact with preschoolers to teach them early reading and math skills.

A recent article from The Atlantic magazine site entitled How Internet Filtering Hurts Kids examines web filtering at schools in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The act requires schools and libraries to block or filter Internet access to pictures and material that are “obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors” on computers that are used by students under 17 years of age. The article discusses over-filtering—filtering beyond the requirements of CIPA – and how that can keep students from accessing information they actually need for schoolwork, contributing to the digital divide between students who have access to technology at home and those who do not.

A recent article from The Atlantic magazine site entitled How Internet Filtering Hurts Kids examines web filtering at schools in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The act requires schools and libraries to block or filter Internet access to pictures and material that are “obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors” on computers that are used by students under 17 years of age. The article discusses over-filtering—filtering beyond the requirements of CIPA – and how that can keep students from accessing information they actually need for schoolwork, contributing to the digital divide between students who have access to technology at home and those who do not.

Can you imagine how you would feel if a voice came through your computer’s speakers demanding a Bitcoin payment in return for your private tax files or for not telling the world about a medical condition you are suffering from? This is a new form of ransomware that is emerging and becoming more and more common. How can you protect yourself? Never open messages from people or companies you don’t know and be careful never to open any attachments on emails from a questionable source. Also take a look at the article A Devastating Type of Hack Is Costing People Big Money on the Time magazine site to get a better understanding of the sources of ransomware.

Can you imagine how you would feel if a voice came through your computer’s speakers demanding a Bitcoin payment in return for your private tax files or for not telling the world about a medical condition you are suffering from? This is a new form of ransomware that is emerging and becoming more and more common. How can you protect yourself? Never open messages from people or companies you don’t know and be careful never to open any attachments on emails from a questionable source. Also take a look at the article A Devastating Type of Hack Is Costing People Big Money on the Time magazine site to get a better understanding of the sources of ransomware.

Kim Komando of USA Today mentions in her column Five password mistakes you should avoid a joke going around the internet about changing your password to ‘incorrect’ so whenever you can’t remember it, you will get a return message saying, 'Your password is incorrect.' That might sound like a brilliant plan on some level, but that password of yours is often the only thing standing between a snoop and your information or money. Komando goes on to discuss common password mistakes, including making passwords too short or too simple, writing the password down on paper, and never changing it. She suggests reviewing the ones you haven’t changed in years and doing something about them following all the rules of creating a viable password.

Kim Komando of USA Today mentions in her column Five password mistakes you should avoid a joke going around the internet about changing your password to ‘incorrect’ so whenever you can’t remember it, you will get a return message saying, 'Your password is incorrect.' That might sound like a brilliant plan on some level, but that password of yours is often the only thing standing between a snoop and your information or money. Komando goes on to discuss common password mistakes, including making passwords too short or too simple, writing the password down on paper, and never changing it. She suggests reviewing the ones you haven’t changed in years and doing something about them following all the rules of creating a viable password.

How your child’s teachers handle student data is an important topic to discuss with them, as PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is often shared with groups outside the school. A resource called Top 10 Student Privacy Tips for Educators can help you figure out the right questions to ask and is available for download from iKeepSafe and BrightBytes after a free registration. This guide is also a great resource for schools or districts who might be reevaluating their privacy policies or who may need help communicating a policy overview to parents.

How your child’s teachers handle student data is an important topic to discuss with them, as PII (Personally Identifiable Information) is often shared with groups outside the school. A resource called Top 10 Student Privacy Tips for Educators can help you figure out the right questions to ask and is available for download from iKeepSafe and BrightBytes after a free registration. This guide is also a great resource for schools or districts who might be reevaluating their privacy policies or who may need help communicating a policy overview to parents.

A recent update to SnapChat means that besides sending pictures (that disappear once seen), you now have the option to video chat other users within the app. The update also allows you to use stickers and send GIFs of your face in chat, make voice calls, and send audio messages. All of this is likely to keep it at the top of the most used teenage app list, meaning the changes are definitely something parents should check out.

A recent update to SnapChat means that besides sending pictures (that disappear once seen), you now have the option to video chat other users within the app. The update also allows you to use stickers and send GIFs of your face in chat, make voice calls, and send audio messages. All of this is likely to keep it at the top of the most used teenage app list, meaning the changes are definitely something parents should check out.

A new article on the Common Sense Media site urges parents to set up Phone-Free zones to encourage more family time. The article points a finger at parents, not kids, for being disengaged due to cell phones. Keeping devices off at the dinner table and in the bedroom and car are the examples they suggest, reminding parents that kids are affected by the amount of time their parents spend on the phone.

A new article on the Common Sense Media site urges parents to set up Phone-Free zones to encourage more family time. The article points a finger at parents, not kids, for being disengaged due to cell phones. Keeping devices off at the dinner table and in the bedroom and car are the examples they suggest, reminding parents that kids are affected by the amount of time their parents spend on the phone.

No matter how old you are, remembering the multiple passwords you use can be a chore, but imagine how difficult it would be if you didn’t even know how to read or write yet. A company called Clever is offering schools a new product called Clever Badges that will allow the youngest students to log in to hundreds of education apps without having to type a word. Kids will be able to flash their personalized “badge” at the built-in camera on their computers - a method Clever CEO Tyler Bosmeny says will not only ensure student data is protected online but will also help teachers keep student passwords private.

No matter how old you are, remembering the multiple passwords you use can be a chore, but imagine how difficult it would be if you didn’t even know how to read or write yet. A company called Clever is offering schools a new product called Clever Badges that will allow the youngest students to log in to hundreds of education apps without having to type a word. Kids will be able to flash their personalized “badge” at the built-in camera on their computers - a method Clever CEO Tyler Bosmeny says will not only ensure student data is protected online but will also help teachers keep student passwords private.