The Online Mom provides internet technology advice and information to help parents protect their kids, encourage responsible behavior and safely harness the power of technology in the new digital world. Social networking, photo sharing, video games, IM & texting, internet security, cyberbullying, educational resources, the latest on tech hardware, gadgets and software for kids 3-8, tweens and teens, and more.
One of the more eye-opening scenes from last week's Digital Nation documentary, which aired on PBS, was the sight of Korean children collectively reciting "rules of the Internet" as part of their regular schooling.
The producers had gone to South Korea to investigate reports of Internet and gaming addiction among young people. As part of their research, they discovered a school system that appears to be light years ahead of the U.S. when it comes to educating children on how they should behave on the Internet.
The social networking giant, Facebook, marked its sixth birthday and
passing the 400 million member mark by undergoing yet another makeover.
Undeterred
by the howls of protest that greeted its previous overhaul just a few
short months ago, Facebook is tweaking a host of features, including
the top and left menu bars, the way in which photos are loaded, and
the way in which you search.
The PBS documentary Digital Nation, which aired on Tuesday night, did a great job of highlighting some of the pros and cons of the rapidly evolving digital world in which we live, but perhaps was less successful at leading us to any meaningful conclusions.
On the plus side, producers Rachel Dretzin and Douglas Rushkoff took us to schools in difficult neighborhoods that have made enormous strides by incorporating technology into their students' everyday activities. They also highlighted the social networks and virtual worlds that can help bring people closer together.
Next week, The Online Mom will launch the first of its 2010 CHOICE Awards.
The awards in each category acknowledge innovation and excellence in products and services for the digital home. They have been selected for their contribution to making the digital life safer, more accessible – and just more fun!
Each month we look at dozens of gadgets, web sites, games and services. Some are new products from the giants of the electronics industry; others are just great ideas from unknown start-ups. Some will go on to be household names, setting new standards for the products that follow; others will toil in relative obscurity, perhaps overshadowed by bigger brands or just suffering from slow adoption.
It appears that school administrators and educators are becoming increasingly divided over the question of whether to allow students to bring cell phones into classrooms
Many schools are sticking rigidly to complete bans, calling cell phones a distraction and a challenge to the teacher's authority. Others suggest that in an era where over 70% of students own a cell phone, a ban is unrealistic and a better approach might be to harness some of their powerful features and use them as teaching aids.
Next week, The Online Mom will launch the first of its 2010 CHOICE Awards.
