The 30-minute video showing the April beating of a Florida teen who allegedly had trash-talked her attackers on her MySpace page already is old news. But the savagery it revealed — and the ease by which it was distributed over the Internet — is still a reality for you and your children.
There are three critical realities kids must be aware of in this age of the computer and the ability to instantly create videos, according to Common Sense Media, a national organization dedicated to improving the media and entertainment lives of kids and families.
1. Actions do have
consequences — cyberbullying is unacceptable.
Talk to your kids about what they say on their MySpace or Facebook or blog pages. Remind them that what they say is public, and if it’s harassing, humiliating, threatening or disrespectful, consequences can result. One out of three teens say they’ve been cyberbullied, according to the Pew Internet and American Life project. Talk to your kids tonight about who they know who’s been either a bully or a victim. Tell them what the consequences in society — and in your own house — will be for any aggressive behavior. And make sure they report any harassment to you or another trusted adult.
2. Violence matters both in real life and on the Internet.
Talk to your kids about the desensitization of violence. Screaming, cursing, beatings, stabbings, shootings, smack-downs — they’re in every TV show, movie, music video and video game. Reality shows normalize outrageous behavior and violence among peer groups. And, yes, our kids can become numb to violence. The more they see, the more “normal” it appears. What kids see on the screen impacts how they view the world. Talk about your values regarding violent behavior. Consider your kids’ age when you choose examples. Ask them how they would feel in real life if someone they knew was hospitalized from a beating received at the hands of classmates.
3. Be careful when
creating pictures
and videos.
Tell your kids never to post anything harassing or obscene. It’s clear that the girls in the Florida case were filming the beating with the intent of posting it online. Besides the fact that they could be creating evidence of breaking the law, kids have to remember that once something is posted, they lose total control over it. It can roam the Internet forever, freely, and be watched by anyone for any purpose.
Make sure your kids know how to flag offensive or inappropriate content. Doing so keeps the Internet safe and vibrant for all.
— Common Sense Media,
www.commonsensemedia.com
Mom Inventors Wanted
Got a great idea to help make parents’ and kids’ lives easier? Don’t know how to make your brilliant idea a reality?
Whirlpool brand is seeking entries for its fourth annual Mother of Invention Grant Program that provides seed money and guidance to turn their invention, business or service ideas into full-fledged businesses.
Last year, entrepreneur/inventor Beth House of California won a $20,000 grant, plus a $3,000 stipend for a new home office and a Whirlpool washer and dryer, for her invention of bottle nipples that fit standard plastic water and juice bottles.
This year, the company is “greening” the program by adding a new category focused on moms who strive to either create an environmentally friendly product/service or use natural/recycled materials to create their invention.
More information and entry forms can be found at www.whirlpool.com/moms beginning May 11. Entries are accepted through July 31.
