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Summer is officially here and that means ice cream out on the back lawn, vacations with family, and most importantly for kids, no school. Whether on a PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone, you can be a digital parent and help your children be safe and responsible online with easy to follow tips.
iKeepSafe makes this concept simple by defining six key areas for digital parenting success, forming the acronym BE a PRO: Balance, Ethics, Privacy, Reputation, Relationships and Online Security. When deciding what technology or apps your child should use this summer, consider the BE a PRO six-point check:
- Balance: Will this website or app provide a diverse activity for my child, providing with physical, entertainment and educational value?
- Ethics: Does this website or app reflect values and experiences that are important in my household, and does my child understand what those values are?
- Privacy: Does this website or app the location and identity of my child from others and from marketing efforts?
- Reputation: What is the potential impact of using this website or app on my child’s reputation? What type of information can be shared and with whom?
- Relationships: Does this website or app help my child build healthy relationships?
- Online Security: Can this website or app potentially be exposed to malware or malicious activity? Has it been vetted and recommended by a trustworthy source?
Following this framework, put on your digital parenting hat and follow these suggestions for summer-time apps and activities for your child:
- Mobile Applications
- Brain Quest for K-5th grade, Free:
With Casey, Jake, and Gizmo by their sides, kids can sail through wisdom islands, trek through a snowy mountain pass, or launch into a space voyage—all while honing their skills in math, science, language, and history - Maxjournal for all ages, $1.99:
Encourage your children to start writing in a journal this summer - TED talks for Middle School and High School Students, Free:
A database of talks about innovation and creativity by tech geniuses, famous individuals and even rock legends
- Brain Quest for K-5th grade, Free:
- Other Summer Ideas for your Child
- Play one of your child’s favorite online games, or apps, with them
- Connect with friends or family using technology (i.e. Facetime, Skype, social media, Instagram, email)
- Create a family blog/blog post. Teach your child what a blog is, how to write a post and discuss proper netiquette
