Healthy Home Newsletter May 2014 - Volume XVIII, Issue 5 | Page 3

It’s A Whole New World…Kids Today Are Growing Up Online
And Here Are Some Helpful Tips For Keeping Them Safe!

Crafting Corner

Remember when we were kids our parents had to worry about us
watching too many episodes of Gilligan’s Island? Today we have to
worry about our kids being exposed to illicit material, online
predators and ruthless cyber bullies, not to mention the narcissist
values, social isolation and lack of privacy that can come with
growing up online.
Now of course, the Internet is a very useful tool, (how did we ever
get along without it?) and it will afford our kids and the generations
to come possibilities we only ever used to dream about. But, like any
tool, it has to be respected and used properly for maximum benefit
and minimum risk. In fact, I once heard the Internet likened to a
“chain saw”, a tool with many benefits, but a tool that can be very
dangerous in inexperienced hands.
Case in point, check out this quote: “One out of every five kids gets
sexual solicitations online. Strangers, predators, and cyber-bullies all
target children, and their work is simplified when screen names
reveal age, gender, or hometown. If posts aren't marked as private,
personal information can be displayed to an unrestricted audience of
readers.” – www.scholastic.com
Thankfully, many schools today are teaching Internet safety,
including how to guard privacy. But what are some simple things
that we can do at home to make sure our kids are safe online?
Don’t be naïve. Many parents don’t realize just how easy it is for
their children to stumble upon inappropriate and dangerous material.
Or, how easily kids can converse with strangers via online video
games and social media.
Educate. Educate. Educate. Thank goodness schools are helping
with this, but parents are vital in educating their children on the
dangers of using the Internet, keeping their information private while
online, the value of a good reputation, and how one wrong post can
wipe it out. Also, educate kids on the finality of posting pictures and
their words online, constantly remind kids that once something is
posted, it is out of their control, and it’s never coming back to them.
Be in the know. Knowledge is your power when it comes to your
kids and the Internet. Know what your kids are up to, check the
history, and ask them who they are conversing with. Set your
security settings and establish a code of conduct you find acceptable
for your kids.
Growing up online can be awesome! When parents and educators
keep kids informed, they can avoid all the potential dangers and

Want To Start Crafting But
Don’t Know Where To Start?
How To Go From Bored To
Cafty In 4 Easy Steps…
Step 1: Get to know Pinterest
and YouTube. You can learn to
do just about anything on
Youtube and Pinterest. Want to
know how to knit, sew, create a
costume, or a rainy day project?
It’s all there.
Step 2: Go to your local craft
store and stock up. It’s hard to
craft without the supplies, so if
you are serious invest in some
basic supplies.
www.TheCraftyCrow.net has a
great starter list of supplies or
you can find starter lists on
Pinterest.
Step 3: Subscribe to magazines
like Martha Stewart Living and O
for fun ideas and inspiration.
Step 4: Find the time! Now that
you’re ready you have to find
time in your busy life. Try
devoting one evening per week
to turning off the electronics and
getting crafty.
(You can also check us out on Pinterest
at

http://www.pinterest.com/PCSNiagara/)

use the Internet to thrive.

©2014 Piranha Marketing, Inc.