Parenting Skills

Raising Digitally Responsible Young People




1.

  • Technology is integral: The digital world is rapidly evolving, and raising responsible digital citizens is essential.
  • Balance is key: Avoid "all or nothing" approaches; moderation and guidance are critical.
  • Open dialogue: Maintain transparency and approachability to encourage children to come to parents with issues.
  • Digital reputation matters: Children's online behaviors can influence future opportunities (e.g., jobs, college admissions).

2. General Parenting Tips

  • Set device boundaries: Keep phones and devices out of bedrooms to ensure quality sleep.
  • Central charging stations: Establish common areas for overnight charging.
  • Know passwords: Parents have the right to access and monitor their child's devices.
  • Stay informed: Download apps or games your child uses to understand their functions and risks.
  • Emphasize permanence: Teach kids that once something is online, it can remain there indefinitely.

3. Key Digital Terms

  • Hashtag (#): Organizes content for easy discovery on social platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
  • Username: Represents online identity—encourage unique, non-identifiable names.
  • Passwords: Stress the importance of strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager.

4. Social Media Insights

  • Snapchat:
  • Popular among youth for disappearing content.
  • Features like Snap Map can reveal real-time locations—advise enabling “Ghost Mode.”

  • Chat, streaks, and private messages are commonly used.

  • Instagram:

  • Encourage private accounts.
  • Features like Stories, IGTV, and Reels mimic other apps (e.g., TikTok).

  • Direct Messaging (DMs) cannot be disabled; monitor usage.

  • TikTok:

  • Popular for short, music-based videos.

  • Monitor age-appropriate content and limit screen time.

  • YouTube/YouTube Kids:

  • Regular YouTube has mature content risks; enable “Restricted Mode” for safer viewing.
  • YouTube Kids provides curated, family-friendly content.

5. Risks and Safety Measures

  • Sexting and Sextortion:
  • Sexting can lead to sextortion, where explicit content is used for blackmail.

  • Teach children to avoid sharing intimate images and understand the risks.

  • Cyberbullying:

  • Encourage open discussions and save evidence of bullying.

  • Use platform tools to block and report offenders.

  • Doxing:

  • Prevent identifying information from being shared online (e.g., addresses, school details).
  • Set accounts to private and use pseudonyms for usernames.

6. Gaming and Apps

  • Popular Games:
  • Roblox: Creative and interactive but includes chat features—monitor age settings.
  • Minecraft: Suitable in single-player Creative Mode; multiplayer requires supervision.
  • Fortnite: Includes violence and unmoderated chat—ensure emotional maturity before playing.

  • Valorant: Competitive shooter game with in-app purchases and chat features.

  • Vault Apps:

  • Hide photos, videos, or apps. Remind kids that device privacy is a privilege, not a right.

7. Managing Technology Use at Home

  • Set clear rules: Define times and spaces where devices are allowed (e.g., no screens at dinner or bedtime).
  • Model good behavior: Demonstrate responsible device use to reinforce rules.
  • Encourage balance: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and family time over excessive screen use.
  • Monitor activity: Use parental controls and regularly discuss online activities with your child.

8. Key Safety Practices

  • Avoid sharing personal details (e.g., full names, addresses, birthdays) online.
  • Use strong privacy settings to control who can see and interact with your content.
  • Teach critical thinking to evaluate content and avoid scams or risky behaviors.
  • Emphasize healthy habits: Use the internet for learning, creativity, and positive engagement.

By staying engaged, setting boundaries, and fostering open communication, parents can empower their children to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.?

Social Media Apps Parents Should Know

Snapchat ("Snap")

  • Why It's Popular:
  • Known for disappearing photos/videos.
  • Enables visual communication and sharing in a private way.
  • Features:
  • Snaps: Photos/videos sent to friends with a set viewing time (1–10 seconds or infinite).
  • Stories: Posts visible to followers for 24 hours.
  • Snap Map: Real-time location sharing—can be turned off with "Ghost Mode."
  • Streaks: Tracks consecutive days of interaction with friends via snaps.
  • Concerns:
  • Content can be screenshotted or captured without permission.
  • Location sharing can compromise privacy.
  • Tips:
  • Only allow connections with real-life friends.
  • Use settings to restrict location sharing and content visibility.

Instagram ("IG")

  • Why It's Popular:
  • Photo and video sharing with optional privacy settings.
  • Appeals to creativity and visual storytelling.
  • Features:
  • Stories & Reels: Short videos and photos, often inspired by TikTok-style content.
  • Direct Messaging (DMs): Private inbox for chatting, including strangers.
  • Concerns:
  • Public accounts can expose content to unknown users.
  • DMs cannot be turned off, potentially leading to unsolicited messages.
  • Tips:
  • Encourage private accounts for younger users.
  • Monitor followers and shared content.

TikTok

  • Why It's Popular:
  • Short-form videos with music/soundtracks.
  • Highly engaging for teens with trends and challenges.
  • Concerns:
  • Age-inappropriate content may appear despite filters.
  • High adult user base, some of whom may not have good intentions.
  • Addictive—average user spends nearly an hour daily.
  • Tips:
  • Set screen time limits.
  • Enable privacy settings to restrict interactions.

Facebook and Messenger

  • Why It's Still Relevant:
  • Used to stay connected with friends and family.
  • Messenger Kids: Provides a safer space for younger children to chat with approved contacts.
  • Features for Parents:
  • Recent contacts and chat history.
  • Log of sent/received images.
  • Remote logout from devices.

YouTube

  • Why It's Popular:
  • Educational, entertaining, and creative content.
  • A platform for self-expression and learning new skills.
  • Concerns:
  • "Suggested Videos" may expose kids to mature or harmful content.
  • Public video uploads can compromise privacy.
  • Tips:
  • Use YouTube Kids for younger children—focuses on family-friendly content.
  • Enable Restricted Mode for safer browsing.

Twitch

  • Why It's Popular:
  • Live-streaming platform primarily for gaming but also includes music, art, and general chat streams.
  • Concerns:
  • Inappropriate content may appear, even on non-age-restricted channels.
  • Chat functionality is not moderated consistently.
  • Tips:
  • Monitor streams and ensure age-appropriate content.

Discord

  • Why It's Popular:
  • A communication hub for gaming, communities, and hobbies.
  • Voice, text, and video chat options.
  • Concerns:
  • Unmoderated servers can expose children to inappropriate discussions.
  • Potential for anonymous interactions.
  • Tips:
  • Monitor servers your child joins.
  • Discuss online etiquette and safety.

Vault Apps

  • What They Do:
  • Hide private photos, videos, and other apps behind disguised icons (e.g., calculator, notes).
  • Concerns:
  • May conceal harmful or inappropriate content.
  • Tips:
  • Remind children that device usage is a privilege, not a right, and full privacy isn't guaranteed for safety reasons.

Video Gaming and Online Safety for Parents

Video Games: The Good and the Bad

  • The Risks:
  • Mature content (e.g., violence, explicit themes, strong language) can desensitize kids and increase aggression.

  • Poor regulation of ESRB ratings often leads to underage exposure to inappropriate games.

  • The Benefits:

  • Games can improve cognitive skills: hand-eye coordination, visual memory, and problem-solving.

  • Many games encourage creativity and teamwork.

  • Parenting Tip:

  • Monitor Content: Be actively involved in choosing games that align with your child’s maturity.
  • Set Limits: Establish time constraints and boundaries for gaming sessions.

Top Games to Watch For

Roblox

  • What It Is: A sandbox-style game platform allowing users to create/play games.
  • Concerns:
  • Open chat features can expose kids to inappropriate language and strangers.
  • Privacy settings can be bypassed if not monitored.
  • Safety Tip:
  • Use age-appropriate settings to limit communication.
  • Supervise multiplayer interactions.

Minecraft

  • What It Is: A creative and survival game where players build and explore.
  • Game Modes:
  • Creative Mode: Unlimited resources for building.
  • Survival Mode: Gather resources and fight monsters.
  • Hardcore Mode: One life only.
  • Safety Tip:
  • Encourage single-player or private servers.
  • Use child-friendly servers for multiplayer mode.

Fortnite

  • What It Is: A battle royale game combining shooting and building mechanics.
  • Game Modes:
  • Battle Royale: Compete to be the last player/team standing.
  • Creative Mode: Build custom game modes/maps.
  • Save the World: Cooperative missions against computer-controlled enemies.
  • Concerns:
  • Exposure to gun violence.
  • Unmoderated voice and text chat.
  • Safety Tip:
  • Closely supervise younger players.
  • Disable chat or limit interaction to known friends.

Platforms and Safety Features

Steam

  • What It Is: A game library and community platform for buying and playing games.
  • Concerns:
  • User-generated content and private messaging can expose kids to inappropriate interactions.
  • Safety Tip:
  • Set profiles to private.
  • Monitor chat interactions.

Valorant

  • What It Is: A team-based shooter game.
  • Concerns:
  • In-game purchases and unmoderated player communication.
  • Safety Tip:
  • Discuss spending habits to avoid unexpected micro-transactions.

Doxing and Online Safety

  • What It Is: The malicious sharing of personal information online.
  • Risks:
  • Personal info (e.g., address, school, photos) can be exploited.
  • Can lead to harassment or privacy violations.
  • Prevention Tips:
  • Avoid using real names as usernames.
  • Don’t post identifiable images or videos of your home, school, or personal belongings.
  • Keep accounts private to control visibility.
  • Teach kids to recognize and report suspicious behavior.

Key Takeaways for Parents

  1. Engage and Educate:
  2. Stay informed about apps and trends your child uses.

  3. Create open communication to discuss safety and appropriate use.

  4. Set Clear Boundaries:

  5. Establish rules for screen time and app usage.

  6. Monitor activity, but aim to build trust with your child.

  7. Use Parental Controls:

  8. Explore built-in app settings for privacy and safety.

  9. Use family-sharing and monitoring tools when available.

  10. Teach Digital Responsibility:

  11. Discuss the permanence of online content.
  12. Emphasize respect, consent, and privacy in digital interactions.

By staying proactive and supportive, you can help your child navigate the digital world safely.

Snapchat Friend Emojis and Their Meanings

  • ? Yellow Heart: You send the most snaps to each other (#1 Best Friends).
  • ?? Red Heart: You've been #1 Best Friends for two weeks straight.
  • ? Pink Hearts: You've been #1 Best Friends for two months straight.
  • ? Smiling Face: They are one of your Best Friends (you send many snaps to them).
  • ? Sunglasses Face: You both send a lot of snaps to the same person (mutual Best Friend).
  • ? Fire: You're on a Snapstreak, meaning you and a friend have snapped each other daily.
  • ? Hourglass: Your Snapstreak is about to end.
  • ? Birthday Cake: It's this friend's birthday today.
  • ? Baby: You just became friends with this person.
  • ? 100 Emoji: You've been on a Snapstreak for 100 days.
  • ? Smirk Face: They send you a lot of snaps, but you don't snap them as much.

Popular Internet, Texting, and Social Media Slang

General Slang

  • Lit: Cool or awesome.
  • Fire: Something amazing or awesome.
  • Salty: Being upset or bitter about something.
  • Tea: Gossip or drama.
  • Shook: Shocked or surprised.
  • Stan: An overzealous fan of someone or something.
  • Thirsty: Desperate for attention, often romantic or sexual.
  • Low-Key: Quietly or modestly.
  • Extra: Over-the-top behavior.

Relationships

  • Cuffed: Being in a committed relationship.
  • DTF: Down to f* (explicit term).
  • FWB: Friends with benefits (non-exclusive relationship).
  • BF/GF: Boyfriend/Girlfriend.

Expressions and Acronyms

  • AMA: Ask me anything.
  • RN: Right now.
  • IDC: I don't care.
  • IMO: In my opinion.
  • NVM: Never mind.
  • LOL: Laughing out loud.
  • OMW: On my way.
  • GTFO: Get the f* out.
  • FML: F* my life.
  • STFU: Shut the f* up.
  • YOLO: You only live once.
  • Troll: Someone who provokes others online for a reaction.

Contextual Slang

  • Mood: Something relatable to how you’re feeling.
  • Deets: Details.
  • Flex: Showing off.
  • WYA: Where you at?
  • Bet: Agreement or confidence in something.
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