PG Key Keeps Kids Safe Online

I saw this about a year ago at a Internet trade-show and I was impressed with how easy it worked. I have requested a sample and I am in the process of testing it myself. I generally do not post entries unless I personally tried it out, however I feel that this tool needs to be evangelized.

What is it? According to their website, “The PG Key is a new, simple to use, all in one solution that lets parents follow the best advice from the experts. It’s a key. Just plug it into a USB port of your kids or family computer and PG Key provides 3 areas of protection.”

I will post an update when I get my trial PG Key.

http://pgkey.com

Parry Aftab Privacy Lawyer

According to her website, “Parry Aftab is one of the leading experts, worldwide, on cybercrime, internet privacy and cyber-abuse issues. Kids used to pass notes around the class, now they are putting it on pages with 500 million users.” I have been following Parry for a few weeks and her insight into online self-defense is honest and professional.

http://www.aftab.com/

National Cyber Security Month

Did you know that October is National Cyber Security Month? Their message is to ” Stop. Think. Connect.” The National Cyber Security Alliance has created a website that features gaming, mobile, Internet and social networking safety tips for kids and parents.

http://www.staysafeonline.org/ncsam

Privacy Tips

Do you have good digital hygiene? Here are some tips from MTV””s website to protect your privacy online. Read what happened to the lead singer of Paramore recently.

• Pick a password that's easy to remember but hard to get
• Do not pre-save passwords
• Avoid taking salacious images on digital devices

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640318/20100528/paramore.jhtml

A Thin Line: Cyberbullying

Iin the classic movie Spinal Tap, David St. Hubbins said, “It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” The same stupidity and genius can be said with your interaction with others online.

MTV's ongoing “A Thin Line” project provides stories and resources for anyone who believes they are being cyberbullied or who is looking for ways to stop harassment by digital means. Take a quiz designed for guys through hosted by rapper Asher Roth or for girls from celebrity Michelle Trachtenberg. Discover your quiz score, Get the facts, take control and share your story.

If you or your family need help with online harassment then this project is good place to start.

http://www.athinline.org

McAfee Cyber Mom

Hey moms are you looking to create a safe environment for your kids online? You need to stop by McAfee”s Cyber Mom website and follow Tracy Mooney
Chief Cyber Security Mom. You can read more of her tips on her blog. You can also download the Parent’s Guide to Social Networking Sites. Learn what they secretly found in their online study.

http://home.mcafee.com/AdviceCenter/Default.aspx?id=ad_fis

Take Charge

Check out Cox”s Internet safety tips and tools. The site is geared toward getting children to take charge of their online usage. However Cox also created a special section to protect the privacy of seniors. Watch a special message from America”s Most Wanted”s John Walsh.

http://cox.com/takecharge/

Raising An Internet Saavy Child

Adam Rosenberg (adam@cdt.org), New Media Manager for the Center for Democracy & Technology recently wrote this guest post on Wired. He stressed a few tips he instilled in his children once they reached the age to surf the web. I found these strong relevant tips even in this world of Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare.

Tips To Instill In Children When Online:
1. Never talk to strangers online.
2. Treat your e-mail address like any other piece of property.
3. Read every form you fill out during sign-up, including the privacy policy.
4. Do not give out personal information without permission.
5. Talk to each other about internet usage and whom they talk to.

Read more:
http://www.wired.com/geekdad/

Scrivener Is Creative Writing

Mac users are looking for a creative ingredient to spark your writing? If so, then you need to discover the program called Scrivener. The writing program is ergonomically centered around the way the modern multitasker thinks.

Scrivener lets you jot down thoughts on documents that resemble post-it notes. You can view them individually or all at once as if you pinned them up on a cork board. I traditionally write bits of information down as I go and then elaborate later, this program gives me the latitude to do so. Another outstanding feature of Scrivener is the ability to merge documents together by individually selecting each note. You can export your document as a word doc, pdf, or a multitude of formats.

The program has a 30 trial so you can always give Scrivener a test drive.
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html

Special thanks to Stephen Herron for the recommendation on the program.