When a Free App For Kids Isn’t Really Free

Most free apps have a way of making money – and that is not always good for parents and kids. So, how can you find the best free apps for kids? Read Jinny Gudmundsen’s take on the question and find out when free really does mean free and how to find those apps.

Personal Data Breaches Reported Expanding

A new study by Pew Research found that 18 percent of American adults with Internet access have reported that their personal information was stolen in a data breach. That's up from 11 percent who reported the same last July. And, this is serious personal information being taken here -- such as Social Security and credit card numbers and banking information. The percentage of those reporting a breach of their e-mail, social media, or other online accounts held steady at 21 percent in both years. Of course, this survey was done before the Heartbleed bug was discovered making all Web surfers wonder whether they should change their passwords to prevent theft of their email accounts, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.

Some Apps Aren’t for Kids

The truth is that not all apps are for kids. The recent Yik Yak (the anonymous sharing app) debacle is proof of that, as things got so bad that the app makers have now made plans to shut down the app’s access at middle and high schools in the US.

So how should you manage apps with your kids? Take a look at the ideas in Not all Apps are for Kidsfor some common sense approaches including disabling the ability to install new apps on Apple devices, using Restrictions for younger kids, or trying an app monitoring service like AppCertain or Mobicip.

Essential Social Media Rules

Taking stock of what more you should be doing to keep your kids safe on social media? Take a look at these 8 Essential Facebook Rules for Teens to find out if you have covered all of the basics. We all need a little reassurance every now and then that there isn’t anything that we’ve missed.

Tablets and Aps Designed With Children in Mind on the Rise

Tablets built specifically with children in mind are on the rise. Cased in protective plastic and preloaded with apps, tablet manufacturers like Fuhu are targeting consumers ages 3 to 14 with their Nabi tablets. Selling for between $100 and $300, these machines can be customized with stickers featuring film and TV characters and more. Kids can use the tablets to watch TV shows and movies, play games and explore the Web, but parents can set strict controls so that only certain features and sites can be viewed or used.

Is Self Reflection Being Hurt by Social Media?

Young peoples’ abilities to engage in self-reflection, analysis, and quiet contemplation -- "intrapersonal intelligence" -- have been compromised, asserts educator and school administrator Naphtali Hoff in his post entitled Is Twitter undermining kids’ intrapersonal intelligence?. Hoff writes that the focus now is on interpersonal intelligence, also known as being "people smart," with social media tools such as Twitter encouraging users to be "out there" constantly, leaving little time for private thought. After reading the post you have to wonder if young people are being deprived of opportunities to think “out of the box,” becoming too dependent on what everyone else thinks since they can ask that question constantly. It’s definitely something to think about.

Time to Let Kids Run Wild Online?

Danah Boyd, Harvard Fellow and Microsoft Researcher, recently published an article in Time exhorting parents to come to recognize two things. First, teens need to wander the pathways of digital media on their own to help find their way in the world of now and in the future, and second, that teens need to know that caring adults – teachers and parents – are behind them supporting them wherever they go. In Boyd’s words, “The first step is to turn off the tracking software. Then ask your kids what they’re doing when they’re online–and why it’s so important to them.”

As the article reminds us, the safest neighborhoods – online and off - are the ones where communities collectively take interest in and pay attention to what happens on the streets. Safety doesn’t come from filters, surveillance cameras, or keeping everyone indoors, but from a collective willingness to watch out for one another and be present as people struggle and help them when necessary.

Twitter Raises Minimum Age For Using Vine Because of Porn Videos

Twitter owns Vine, the video sharing app, and when it was launched in the Apple App Store at the end of January, the age rating was 12+, but then sexually explicit video clips almost immediately began appearing within the app, including one mistakenly showcased in its "Editor's Picks" section, drawing outrage from some users. Twitter tried raising the age rating to 17+ in early February, but the pornographic images kept coming, so now, the site has banned porn videos altogether, but, of course, enforcement will take some time especially since the content will be flagged by other Vine members using the "Report this post" option. Anyone who violates the new rules will have their account suspended until they delete the offending Vine. Repeat posters might have their account permanently suspended.

Facebook Takes Aim At Gun Trading

Facebook is responding to pressure from activist groups with a crackdown on the use of its services for gun sales and promotions, especially without background checks. Facebook and Instagram posts offering to buy or sell guns will be deleted, and Facebook will make efforts to prevent minors from seeing offers about guns. Gun-control campaigners applauded the move, but the National Rifle Association said such efforts infringe on users' constitutional rights.

Consumers More Concerned About Safety Survey Says

Global privacy firm Truste has released survey findings that show 74% of Internet users say they are more concerned now than a year ago when it comes to online privacy. As a result, 83% said they are less likely to click an ad, 80% are less likely to use an unfamiliar application, and 74% are less likely to allow location targeting.