Easy Safe Surfing For Kids: KidZui

A company called KidZui has taken a positive approach to filtering what your children ages 3 to 12 can access on the internet. They hired the former editor-in-chief of Leap Frog to set up standards for kid-appropriate internet content. Then they assembled 200 teachers and parents from across the U.S. to search for appropriate websites for this age group. From this they have created a web browser (like Internet Explorer or Safari, etc.) that will only allow your child to access approved content. The KidZui web browser already allows over 500,000 safe websites to be accessed, they are adding approved websites every day, and the parent also has the ability to approve websites based on their own discretion. (For example, KidZui doesn’t allow news networks such as ABC to be accessed through KidZui, but parents can change that if they want.)

This approach is different because traditional “blocking” software is designed to block what it interprets as inappropriate for children to see. There is always the risk of something slipping through. KidZui’s system isn’t based on “blocking”. It is based on “allowing” only approved content. There is no way for anything inappropriate to accidentally slip through unless KidZui or a parent has chosen that it should be part of the child’s internet surfing experience. Instead of trying to filter the adult internet, they have redefined the internet for kids by putting the good stuff in.

Why is KidZui good for you?  When your child is surfing the net you don’t have to hover.  You know there is no way your child can stumble on something you don’t want them to see.   It can’t happen.  Its like reading a book, there are never any surprise pages between the covers.

Regular price for this software is $9.95 /month or $99.95 / year parents.
Introductory price right now is $4.95 / month or $49.95 / year.

KidZui.com

ABC News interview with Cliff Borough, CEO of KidZui, explaining a little bit more.

PCs and Parenting: Tips for Making Them Perfect Together

(ARA) – You helped her learn to walk. He’s totally potty trained at last. Just when it seems you’ve conquered the most angst-ridden issues faced by parents of toddlers, here comes another source of concern: In a world increasingly dominated by technology, familiarizing your child with a computer and online tools is more important than ever.

Parents can’t afford to wait until their children start school to introduce them to technology, says Craig Cincotta, senior product manager at Microsoft Corp.

“Schools are incorporating computers into their curricula at very early grade levels. It’s not unusual to find a computer loaded with learning software in preschool and daycare settings,” he says. “Children who have experience with computers at home will have an edge over those who first encounter technology in the classroom.”

Even if they already have one computer, parents may be intimidated by the prospect of networking it with another PC or other devices such as smartphones. Yet computers are rapidly becoming the hub of the home’s entertainment, scheduling and shopping activities. Parents may feel the urgency to keep pace at home with the technological world their children will encounter outside the house. Here are some tips for parents:

* Getting up to date on technology and getting online doesn’t have to be difficult. Home PCs are more user-friendly than ever, with a range of hardware and software options designed to be useful and fun for users at every level of experience.

* Keep security in mind, especially if you have family members who are new to the Internet. When getting your family online for the first time, you’ll want an operating system such as Windows Vista that provides parental controls and premium security features. Windows Vista Parental Controls allow you to track and monitor your child’s online activity and time, as well as help prevent him or her from accessing material you deem inappropriate. Also, be sure to set your PC to receive Windows Update, a free service that continually improves your computer, keeping it up to date, safer and more reliable.

* Educational features are important when choosing hardware and software, but don’t overlook the entertainment value of home computing as well. For example, with Windows Media Center, which comes standard on Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Home Premium, you can share photos with loved ones, access your favorite music and even record TV shows so you don’t miss an episode of your favorite programs.

* Although price will always be a consideration, the good news is the cost of technology falls almost as rapidly as the technology evolves. You’ll have no trouble finding a wide range of options, no matter what your budget.

* Many computer manufacturers are now making models that are sleek and stylish and fit into virtually any decor. For example, Dell, HP and Sony offer notebooks in several colors, including a vibrant red.

* It’s easier than ever to get online. Many manufacturers now offer desktop and laptop computers that are already equipped with everything you need to go online – and wireless – with just a few mouse clicks.

* Expert advice is easily available. Head to your local library and use one of its PCs to log onto sites such as Windows Vista Team Blog (http://windowsvistablog.com), where you’ll learn about the numerous features and advantages of Windows, the country’s most-used operating system. Or check out the Windows site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digitallife/default.mspx), which offers information on the operating system, software options and the latest in compatible hardware.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a hybrid of texting, blogging and instant messaging. You can send very short messages through your cell phone or online and your list of approved people in your network will all receive the update at the same time, and vice versa.

Adults find this a good way to stay in touch with other people in their industry, office, or work group. For example, if you are attending a trade show and you see something notable, you whip out your cell phone and type a short message to your Twitter account. All of the people in your group instantly get your message and are up to speed. Of course you can set up your family to be in a Twitter network so you can quickly and easily send an update to all the members of your family with one post or text message.

Imagine this family texting conversation:
From mom, “Going to be late. Someone pick up a pizza.”
From dad, “Driving past a pizza place right now. I’ll get it.”
From kid, “Make it pepperoni.”
From mom, “Make it 2 pizzas, one pepperoni, one all cheese. My stomach is acting up.”
All members of the family receive all of these messages, so everyone is in the loop.

Lee LeFever of CommonCraft.com does a really great job of explaining Twitter and how it works.  It is more fun to watch the video than have me explain it to you. Here’s your tutorial:

You can use Twitter online only, if you choose. And that would be fine if you spend most of your day at the computer. But if you are on the move, it is best to activate it to work with your cell phone. Make sure you have an “unlimited” texting plan and you’re all set.

Once your phone is verified to send and receive Twitter messages (Twitter walks you through this process), you text 140 character (maximum) messages to the following numbers:
- If you’re in the US, send to 40404
- If you’re in Canada, send to 21212
- If you’re in India, send to 5566511
- If you’re not in any of the three above, send to the UK long code +44762480142

What Is Wikipedia?

Remember when your teacher used to give you history assignments, like “write a report on Brazil”. You’d make your way to the smelly set of World Encyclopedias at the back of the library and pull out the volume entitled “Bl-Br”. Whatever information that volume contained was the full extent of the research you were likely to be able to do about Brazil. Nevermind that the volume was published 4 years ago, and since then two thirds of the country’s rain forests have been destroyed. Well, nowadays kids hop right onto Wikipedia.com and have access to up-to-the-minute encyclopedia-like information on everything.

What is Wikipedia? In short, you could say that it is a continuously updated online encyclopedia that is written by anyone who feels like writing. Are bells going off in your head? (Accuracy issues for example?) Yes, that is the primary criticism of Wikipedia as an information source, BUT the longer new topics live on the Wikipedia website, the greater the likelyhood that contributors will have corrected errors. Wikipedia is valuable as a research tool because of the breadth of information you can obtain on each post. Also, Wikipedia’s articles provide links to guide the user to related pages with additional information.

As a parent who is overseeing a homework project, the important thing to communicate to your child about Wikipedia is that information in Wikipedia may not be conclusively “true”, but it is an excellent place to start looking for information. Kids should be encouraged to follow the links suggested in Wikipedia and read further about the topic they are researching. They should also be encouraged to verify the “facts” that they find in Wikipedia through more reliable sources. Actually, the fact that Wikipedia is fallable can be a learning opportunity. Talk to your kids about critical thinking and questioning sources of information. Demonstrate the value of reading more than one source by following Wikipedia suggested links and helping them read from a variety of sources that might have different points of view.

www.Wikipedia.com

Vanessa Van Petten of www.onteenstoday.com talks about how to teach your kids to be good cyber citizens on Wikipedia: