Tech Savvy Mom June 07

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Tech Savvy Mom

Tech Talk

The Internet has opened up a whole new world of predators. As a result, there is a wide selection of monitoring software on the market, and today's parents hotly debate the issue of using parental control software. Invasion of privacy or rights of protection?

A soon to be released book titled Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney may help some parents decide. It quotes several kids, ages 12-17, who all admitted being approached inappropriately online. Most of them did not tell their parents. They feared revealing the incident might result in reduced online privileges and denial of future access to MySpace or FaceBook social sites, so they stayed quiet. Reading their stories gives me chills.

Did you know 1 out of 5 children will receive a sexual solicitation online? The Web offers the advantage of access to a world of information but with it comes the possibilityof danger lurking a few clicks away. And with children spending an average of 12 hours weekly online its pays to be informed. Ikeepsafe.org offers a helpful video clip 5 Tips for Internet Safety that's worth a look.

Monitoring seems like a good idea to me. Check out some software in Tech Savvy Mom's February column. If you don’t monitor with technology, be aware of your child’s online activity.

Kidz Web Sites

Poetry on PodcastGO.com

Teens will love this video podcast site. They recently partnered with Student Publishing Program (SPP) to offer poetry downloads through the “Greatest Living Writers Project,” including works read by America’s Poet Laureate Donald Hall, Taylor Mali and Patricia Smith (National Poetry Slam Champions and HBO’s DefPoetry Jam.)

With more than 50 episodes available, this is an exciting new way for the e-generation to get poetic on their MP3 players or iPods. There will also be an ongoing contest inviting teens to submit poems.

Check it out and explore all the other fascinating content on this Web site.

Gadgets & Gizmos & Elmos?

Won’t you tell me how to get ...

How to get to Sesame Street?

Via iTunes.com

If you and your kids just can’t get enough ofthe songs “C is for Cookie” or “Rubber Duckie” – you are in luck! Music from Sesame Street is coming to iTunes.com and will join the six free Sesame Street educational “Learn along with Sesame” videos already available on the iTunes Store.

Guests Mel Brooks, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Joan Rivers, and Gene Wilder are getting hip with the lingo – can ya dig it? Now you can get down with favorites like Letterman, Easy Reader, a gorilla named Paul and tons of other sketch comedy, animation, and live-action films.

All songs and videos offer access to fun, easy-to-use materials designed to educate and entertain audiences of all ages. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street.

Tech Savvy Mom Archive

May 2007

Online Moden Mom helpers that educate and even read books to your children, plus the AMBER Alert USB kit and a look at the Webkinz phenomenom.

April 2007

Kid friendly search engine Quintura, a video monitor for home and high-security holder that prevents virtual identity theft of the new e-passports.

March 2007

Sites for busy moms, high-tech tripods for a shot of the kids at any angle and a rubiks' cube for the 21st century.

February 2007

Sites that rate summer camps, hi-tech camps, iPod gadgets and software to keep your kids safe.