Friday, November 20: Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, November 20, 2015
1:00 – 2:00 pm ET
10:00 – 11:00 pm PT

‘Getting Ready for Thanksgiving’

Join @RobynsWorld @TheTechDad @TheOnlineMom and friends TODAY at 1 pm ET (10 am PT) as we chat about Getting Ready for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is coming up at that means turkey, football, your favorite movies…and Black Friday shopping! Join the VZWBuzz team as we preview this very special time of year!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a $100 Verizon Gift Card or a Droid Turbo 2 smartphone!
Plus, join Monica Vila and her special guests on the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a Droid Turbo 2!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/TXP5A      
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) today between 1 – 2 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Friday, November 13: TV Anywhere

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, November 13, 2015
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘TV Anywhere’

Join @TheTechDad @RobynsWorld @TheOnlineMom and friends at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) TODAY as we chat about TV Anywhere!
The idea of watching our favorite TV shows wherever and whenever we want is no longer a dream. Better mobile devices, faster networks and smarter apps are getting us off the couch and allowing us to set our own entertainment schedules!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Motorola Powerpack, a UE Boom 2 speaker or a customizable Droid Turbo 2 smartphone!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/TXnfg      
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) today between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)

Tips for Watching Halloween Movies with Your Kids

By Tracey Dowdy

Parenting our kids during Halloween is about riding that fine line of being just scary enough. And though you know your child better than they know themselves, sometimes it’s hard to predict what will frighten them. This is never more true than when watching Halloween-themed movies.

I can’t tell you how many times I heard “Turn it off! Turn it off! Turn it off!” from my daughter when she was little. We tried to be mindful of what we let her watch but more than once the scene on TV or at the movies would be too intense for her. And because every child is different, what scares one child leaves another unfazed. My oldest watched Jumanji and has a fear of alligators to this day, while my youngest laughed all the way through it. Yet that same kid was too uncomfortable and anxious to watch Mr. Bean because she just knew he was going to be in so much trouble.

We tend to be careful about what we let our preschoolers watch and what they’re exposed to, but when kids reach school age, those restrictions sometimes relax. We often have less control as they may watch a movie at a friend’s birthday party or on a rainy day school with content they haven’t previously been exposed to. This is when some parents start to see increased fear and anxiety in their kids.

Whether you’re deciding what to let your kids watch or you’re dealing with the aftermath of a too scary movie, these tips can help you – and your kids – find the right balance.

  • Do your homework. Take the time to look up the movie on sites like IMDB or Common Sense Media that break down the movie content. Common Sense Media even provides age-appropriate lists of movies, which can help you find a movie based on your child’s maturity level.
  • Be mindful of age-appropriateness. Kids under seven have a hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality so when it comes to scary movies, it’s generally best to stick to animation to reinforce the fact that “it’s just make believe.” Keep in mind kids relate to characters their own age, so if the character in danger is a child like them, it may make them more insecure. It’s a simple matter of different things scare different people. “Fear isn’t just triggered by zombies and monsters. Shows that hinge on the death of a child, pet or parent can stir up fear and anxiety in some children,” says Jane Tallim, co-executive director of MediaSmarts, a media literacy organization in Ottawa.
  • Remember, it’s not just the scary music or the monster popping out from under the bed but the language and adult content of the film that makes it inappropriate for kids. Don’t rely on G or PG ratings. The Little Mermaid is a kids movie but Ursula can be downright scary and Finding Nemo has plenty of laughs with a happy ending but don’t forget Nemo’s entire family – his mom and all the eggs – are killed by a very scary barracuda at the beginning of the film.
  • Be prepared for the fall-out. If you push the envelope and let your kids watch something scarier than they’re accustomed to, realize that bedtime may take a little longer than usual and they may even have bad dreams. To help them relax, little ones often like magical cures like a spray bottle of “monster repellant” on their nightstand, while older kids may need you to leave a light on in the hall and play some music to distract them as they fall asleep.
  • Keep your child’s life experience in mind. Kids who’ve recently experience the death of a family member or beloved pet or have been through a parental divorce are more likely to be sensitive and more prone to fear and anxiety. Real life situations impact kids deeply and when they see their experience reflected on the screen, it may bring hidden or previously nonexistent fears to the surface.
  • Choose a happy ending. Try to find movies that mix humor into the story line to lighten the mood and look for movies with a happy ending. There’s a lot to be said for ending the movie watching experience on a high note.
  • Talk about what you saw. If your child is afraid, talk about what elements of the story frightened them. Talk about what’s real and not real and, if necessary, talk about what you and your family would do in a similar situation. Sometimes simply talking through fears can quiet them and make your kids feel more secure.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Monday, October 26: Staying Connected

STAYING CONNECTED

#FiOSNY

When: Monday, October 26, 2015
8:45 – 9:45 pm ET
5:45 – 6:45 pm PT
Join the #FiOSNY team at 8:45 pm ET on Monday, October 26 as we chat about the importance of staying connected with family and friends!
At 9:15 pm, join hosts Monica Vila and Ramon Nuez on Blab, as they invite you to video chat and share how you stay connected with family and friends!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win an all-new Kindle Fire HD 8!

(Click here  to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: FiOSNY) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/TIIGV   
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSNY) on Monday, October 26 between 8:45 – 9:45 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon.)

Monday, October 26: The Connected Home

THE CONNECTED HOME

#FiOSNY

When: TODAY, Monday, October 26, 2015
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join the #FiOSNY team at 8 pm ET TODAY as we explore how a fast and reliable Internet service can deliver on the promise of a connected home!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win an all-new Kindle Fire HD 8!

(Click here  to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: FiOSNY) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/TGYNI   
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSNY) today between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon.)

How To Avoid the Clickbait Trap

By Tracey Dowdy

I’ve been seeing what seems to be a lot more clickbait in my Facebook newsfeed lately. Posts like What This Firefighter Does on the Side of the Road Will Blow You Away, What Does Your Name Actually Mean?, or What This Adorable Little Girl Says Next Will Melt Your Heart.

Posts like these are designed to target your “curiosity gap,” the part of your brain that piques your interest so you just have to click on that link. Most of the clickbait posts you see are harmless, although don’t forget that every click is recorded by someone, somewhere. Facebook and savvy marketers track those clicks very carefully indeed, using complicated algorithms to see which headlines generate the most traffic.

So what is clickbait anyway? Is it really a big deal? And what did that firefighter do on the side of the road?

Facebook describes it this way: “‘Clickbait’ is when a publisher posts a link with a headline that encourages people to click to see more, without telling them much information about what they will see.”

In other words, it’s basically the same trick that news presenters use to make sure you come back after the commercial break: “Researchers say this common household cleaner is linked to cancer in children.” You think, “Wait, what? I clean my house. Does that mean I’m giving my kids cancer? I better stick around after the break and find out.”

Vox’s acting managing editor, Nilay Patel, writes “Most clickbait is disappointing because it’s a promise of value that isn’t met—the payoff isn’t nearly as good as what the reader imagines.”

It’s not a big deal if you’ve got low expectations. Think of clickbait as cotton candy for your brain: you know it isn’t good for you, there’s no real substance and it’s overpriced, but you’re at the fair so why not? With clickbait you know there’s no deep philosophical truth on the other end of that link, the payoff won’t be as great as is promised, and your life won’t be any more complete than it was 30 seconds ago.

What is a big deal is that not all clickbait is harmless. Last year, innocent victims clicked on a link that promised information about missing Malaysian Airways flight MH370. Individuals were directed to a third party site where they were prompted to update software to watch a video. Instead of getting information on MH370, they inadvertently downloaded malware.

So how are you supposed to know what’s harmless and what is going to potentially infect your computer with anything from porn popups to keystroke logging software?

Remember the first rule of the internet: “Never click on unfamiliar links.” In addition, these five tips from the Better Business Bureau can help protect you:

  • Don’t take the bait. Stay away from promotions of “exclusive,” “shocking” or “sensational” footage. If it sounds too outlandish to be true (Bermuda Triangle, really?), it is probably a scam.
  • Hover over a link to see its true destination. Before you click, mouse over the link to see where it will take you. Don’t click on links leading to unfamiliar websites.
  • Don’t trust your friends’ taste online. It might not actually be them “liking” or sharing links to photos. Their account may have been hacked. But it may also be “clickjacking,” a technique that scammers use to trick you into clicking on something that you would otherwise ignore. (Great example: the Facebook “Like” button).
  • On Facebook, report scam posts and other suspicious activity by following these instructions.
  • On Twitter, if another user is sending you links to malware or other spam, report it to Twitter by following these instructions. “

And finally, that firefighter. His name is Casey Lessard and he lay on the ground beside a critically injured car accident victim so the distraught child could watch Happy Feet until the ambulance arrived. Now there’s a link that’s worth clicking on!

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Monday, October 19: Looking Forward to Halloween

LOOKING FORWARD TO HALLOWEEN!

#LifeOnFiOS

When: TODAY, Monday, October 19, 2015
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
This is the season for witches, goblins and scary movies!
Join the #LifeOnFiOS team TODAY at 8 pm ET as we look forward to this special time of year and preview our Halloween entertainment options!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win an all-new Verizon Ellipsis 8 tablet!

(Click here  to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: LifeOnFiOS) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/TuuNG 
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#LifeOnFiOS) today between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon.)

Friday, November 6: Customizing Your Smartphone

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY,Friday, November 6, 2015
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Customizing Your Smartphone’

Join @TheTechDad @RobynsWorld @TheOnlineMom and friends TODAY at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) as we chat about Customizing Your Smartphone!
Smartphones have quickly become the ultimate personal accessories, with home screens, ringtones and protective cases all providing us with the tools to project our own uniqueness and style. Join us as we look at the latest trends in customizable smartphones and explore how you can experience your own mobile makeover!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win Motorola portable charger or a customized Droid Turbo 2 smartphone!
Plus, join Monica Vila and her special guest on the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a portable charger and a customized Droid Turbo 2!

(Click here to learn more about our Twitter chats. You must RSVP and attend the party to be eligible for a prize.)

To RSVP:
  1. Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com (subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/ToRsz       
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) today between 3 – 4 pm ET
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

(The Online Mom LLC receives a fee for participating in certain promotional programs for Verizon Wireless.)