Keeping Our Kids Safe on Social Media

By Tracey Dowdy

Let me begin by saying not everything our kids are doing online is dangerous and not all social media platforms are bad.

As parents, trying to keep up with what our kids are up to online may feel like eating soup with a fork. Relax. We don’t need to be active on all the social media sites our kids are using. In fact, if we start using one platform, our kids will likely abandon it. But, being active and being aware are two very different things. We’re raising our kids in a digital age and at The Online Mom we advocate safe and responsible use of all tech devices and social media.

I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, no app, whitelist, blacklist or software can replace open and honest conversation with your kids. Setting boundaries while they’re young, when they are first becoming active online, is the key. If you’re late to the game, don’t panic. Educate yourself about what’s out there, what apps are popular and which of them pose the greatest potential for risky behavior.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of talking to your kids. Ask questions, but be prepared to do some homework. Your children likely won’t be any more forthcoming about what they’re up to than you were with your own parents. Did you give them all the details of the parties you went to? The people you hung out with? The dumb things your friends did? Of course not. The difference today is that instead of hanging out in the basement with friends while we’re upstairs watching TV, our kids are hanging out online, often with total strangers.

The key is awareness. According to a study by McAfee, 70 percent of teens have hidden online activity from their parents by erasing their browser history, deleting messages, photos or videos, or using mobile apps like Calculator%, an app that appears to be a simple calculator but in reality is designed to be a password protected online “safe” where kids can hide photos.

Looking through your child’s phone may seem like an invasion of their privacy and in many ways it is. It’s the modern equivalent of reading their diaries. I’m not advocating spying on your kids – it makes them distrustful of you and gives them more incentive to hide what they’re up to – but as parents we have a responsibility to protect them.

Be open and honest. Experts recommend telling your kids you’ll be monitoring their activity either by looking at their phone or, if necessary, by using an app that reports activity back to you. It’s tough isn’t it? It’s that difficult balancing act between helicopter and free-range parenting.

If you do discover apps, photos, videos or any other content that crosses the line, again, don’t panic. Talk to your child about what you’ve found and why it’s inappropriate. Talk about the consequences. If you freak out and overreact, your kids will just get better at hiding things from you rather than changing their behavior. It’ll also make them less likely to come to you if they feel unsafe about something that’s happened online for fear they’ll get into trouble.

Let me reiterate, not every child is up to no good and social media in and of itself is not harmful. Parenting in a digital age means we have to work a little harder at keeping up with trends in technology in ways our parents didn’t need to. The rest is Parenting 101: you’re my child and it’s my job to keep you safe. That never changes.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

7 Apps for New Parents

By Tracey Dowdy

I once had a friend compare being a new parent to his job as a firefighter. There are times when you’re sitting around and things are relatively peaceful but you know it won’t last; sooner or later the siren will go off and it’s complete chaos for the next few hours.

Fortunately, it’s not all chaos and disaster. These apps can help manage your time, track baby’s needs and milestones, and make every sure you capture every precious moment.

Eat Sleep: Simple Baby Tracking does exactly what it says: it tracks your baby’s sleep, eating, and diaper habits. Recommended by moms of multiples, the app is very straightforward with information entered by a single tap. There’s a handy Notes feature but no alarms, alerts or scheduling and the clean interface means you can access information at a glance. For an additional cost you can purchase BabySync, which allows you to backup information and share it with family ad friends. (iOS – Free)


Latchme was developed by doctors and lactation consultants and is loaded with valuable tips and videos. The app is community supported, so you can connect with other moms to ask questions and find resources in your area like nursing areas with clean facilities, comfortable chairs, change tables, sinks, and outlets. (iOS, Android – Free)


The Wonder Weeks is based on the book of the same name, backed by 35 years of experience and is designed to help you track your baby’s mental development for the first 20 months. The app lets you know when your baby is about to make a developmental leap, what they can comprehend and learn after this mental growth spurt, as well as behavioral differences to be aware of like interrupted sleep patterns and mood changes. (iOS, Android – $1.99)


Baby Connect is a comprehensive app that can help you stay on top of everything, including feedings, diaper changes, sleep, baby’s mood, medications, and even photos. Information is easily shared making it especially valuable for parents and caregivers who share childcare responsibilities. (iOS, Android – $4.99)


Sprout Baby is another comprehensive app that allows you to track milestones, feedings, diaper changes and doctor appointments. Information is easily shared across devices and between caregivers as well as healthcare providers ensuring everyone is up to date on baby’s needs. The app can be purchased as a standalone or is available as part of a 3 app bundle. (iOS, Android – $4.99; or Sprout Fertility and Period Tracker, Sprout Pregnancy, and Sprout Baby for $9.99)


Cozi is consistently on lists of go-to apps for getting organized, something that may be more of a challenge with a newborn. Or a toddler. Or a Tween. Or Twins. You see where I’m going with this? More than just a way to track baby’s needs, it enables you to track and share doctor’s appointments, shopping lists, and much more for the whole family. (iOS, Android – Free)


WebMD Baby can be a lifesaver both literally and figuratively. The app provides easy to access and understand doctor approved medical information from birth to two years. It includes illness and emergency symptoms and weekly content that is specific to your baby’s age and developmental stage. (iOS, Android – Free)

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Thursday, February 25: Why FiOS?

WHY FiOS?

#FiOSPhilly

When: Thursday, February 25, 2016
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join Mary Beth (@5cupcakes) and the #FiOSPhilly team at 8 pm ET on Thursday, February 25, as we learn why FiOS is the #1 choice when it comes to TV entertainment and a fast and reliable Internet!
Sure, you have a choice when it comes to TV and Internet but not all providers are created equal. Join us as we look at what makes a difference when it comes to these essential services, and why switching to FiOS will be the best decision you’ll ever make!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a Motorola Power Pack portable battery charger or an Amazon Echo Bluetooth wireless speaker!

(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: FiOSPhilly) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://bit.ly/1mKqVPt
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSPhilly) on Thursday, February 25 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.)

Monday, February 22: Better Matters

BETTER MATTERS!

#FiOSNY

When: TODAY, Monday, February 22, 2016
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join @mistygirlph and the #FiOSNY team at 8 pm ET TODAY as we explore our TV and Internet options and discover why Better Matters!
Most households have a choice when it comes to their TV and Internet services but not all providers are created equal. Join us as we look at what makes a difference when it comes to superior TV and connectivity, and why better really does matter!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a Motorola portable charger or an all-new GoPro Hero4 Session action camera!

(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/Ys8uM
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#FiOSNY) on Monday, February 22 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.)

Keeping Our Digital Children Safe

By Tracey Dowdy

The recent death of 13 year-old Nicole Madison Lovell was a terrible tragedy. A cancer and liver transplant survivor, Nicole lost her life after chatting with strangers on social media and then apparently arranging to meet an 18 year old man through the messaging app Kik. Two Virginia Tech students have been charged in connection with Nicole’s death.

Unfortunately, Nicole’s story is not unique. From the time our children are small we warn them of “stranger danger.” As they get older and become active online, we caution them about the risks of talking to strangers via social media. But according to Pew Research, six out of ten teens say they have at least one friend that they’ve met online and one-third say they’ve gone on to meet that friend in person. Those are sobering statistics.

That teens engage in risky behavior should not be a surprise to anyone. Temple University psychology professor Laurence Steinberg says, “The teenage brain is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash.”

Impulse control stems from the frontal lobe of our brain which isn’t fully developed until around age 25, so when teens experience peer pressure or extreme emotions they’re less likely to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

Pair that lack of judgment with online predators and we have the tragic story of a child like Nicole. She had allegedly been the victim of bullying at school; a situation many experts say can make a teen even more vulnerable to online predators.

Commander of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force David Frattare says, “Kik is the problem app of the moment,” primarily because the user’s identity is protected. Although the app asks for the user’s real name and email address, Kik works even if they’re fictitious and the app doesn’t require a phone number.

Kik is similar to text messaging but more private. It’s free, allows unlimited messaging, gives users the ability to insert gifs and a variety of emoji’s, and, best of all to many teens, most parents have no idea it exists. However your kids know about it: according to Kik’s website, the app is used by 40 percent of American teens.

Unlike some other messaging apps, written messages on Kik can’t be viewed by outsiders or shown to the police and images or videos are only retained until they’re opened on the recipient’s device. In a case like Nicole’s where there is a court order, Kik can provide law enforcement with a log of a user’s activity and in some cases an IP address, though with 275 million registered users worldwide it’s no small task to sift through the information.

Where does this leave parents? First of all, don’t panic. Although Kik is one of many social media platforms that are being exploited by predators, it’s important not to overreact and take away all your child’s devices. Professor David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, warns us not to become “technophobic.” Remember it’s character, not technology, that makes children and teens vulnerable. Kids who are socially isolated, bullied, struggle with depression, or don’t get along with parents and caregivers are those most at risk.

But how do we protect our children against online predators? Well, there are some excellent mobile phone monitoring apps that can help you control how your child’s phone is used. But remember, no app or parental control can substitute for an open and honest conversation with your kids. Educate them about the risks and long term consequences of interacting with strangers online. Remind them that someone presenting themselves as a peer could easily be a predator and that spur of the moment decisions can sometimes lead to tragic long-term consequences.

Author’s Note: Kik is cooperating fully with law enforcement in the Lovell case. They sponsor an annual conference on crimes against children, as well as providing a law enforcement guide on their website to assist in the prevention of child exploitation.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

What to Expect from iOS 9.3

By Tracey Dowdy

Apple released the beta version of iOS 9.3 to developers in early January and those with access are starting to roll out their reviews. These are some of the features that are generating the most buzz as we wait for a final version of 9.3 to be released in the coming weeks.

As a chronic insomniac and someone who uses my phone or iPad later in the evening than I should, Night Shift has definite appeal. Going beyond “night mode” (white text on a black background vs. black text on a white background), Night Shift changes the colors on your display to “to the warmer end of the spectrum,” thus reducing the amount of blue light that tricks your mind into thinking it’s still daytime. Night Shift will kick in at sunset and turn off at sunrise based on your location. It’s likely to be an optional feature as there are obviously times you need to be awake and alert after dark.

Notes isn’t new but going forward it will be password or fingerprint protected, giving your memos an added layer of security. Apps like Evernote and Day One have offered this feature for awhile so it’s nice to see Apple catch up.

I have never been a fan of the News feature. Consequently, it’s in a folder labeled “Stuff I Never Use” on my phone only because it’s native and I can’t delete it. Apparently I’m not alone in my opinion. Apple has responded by redesigning News with features like inline video that allows you to watch without exiting your feed, landscape capabilities through the iPhone version, and more intuitive content in For You.

Likewise, HealthKit, another feature that hasn’t taken off the way Apple hoped it would, has been revised. Originally designed as a framework for all the third-party health related apps we use, iOS 9.3 will recommend HealthKit apps to install related to Weight, Workouts and Sleep. It will also include a section for Reproductive Health, something that was noticeably missing from previous versions. If you use an Apple Watch, it will also integrate the move, exercise, and stand data that’s collected.

CarPlay users will now see New and For You in the Apple Music app, and Maps now supports Nearby so you can easily locate gas stations, restaurants and parking.

The education features may be the most significant of all the updates and changes. Schools that use iPads in their classrooms will get an Apple School Manager portal to allow teachers, administrators and support staff to “easily reset passwords, audit accounts, create IDs in bulk, and create customized roles for everyone in the district.”

Teachers will now be able to see what their students are looking at on their individual iPads, as well as the ability to lock apps via Remote Control to help students stay on task during a lesson. Students can look forward to a new shared iPad feature that allows access to their unique content and lets them pick up right where they left off.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Friday, March 18: Planning Your Vacation

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, March 18, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Planning Your Vacation’

Join @dipaolamomma and the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, March 18 as we chat about Planning Your Vacation!

Making plans for that much-needed vacation? Your smartphone or tablet can help! Join us as we look the best apps for planning and organizing your travel, as well all the other mobile tools that will make sure you have the best vacation ever!
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth speaker or one of two Droid Maxx 2 smartphones!

(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/Zvp53
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, March 18 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

Friday, March 18: Getting More from Your Tablet

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: Friday, March 18, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Getting More from Your Tablet’

Join the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, March 18 as we chat about Getting More from Your Tablet!

RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win great prizes!

(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/Y5lZp 
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, March 18 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

Friday, April 8: Creating a Smarter Home

VERIZON MOBILE LIVING TWITTER PARTY

#VZWBuzz

When: TODAY, Friday, April 8, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
12:00 – 1:00 pm PT

‘Creating a Smarter Home’

Join Marybeth (@babysavers) and the VZWBuzz team at 3 pm ET (12 noon PT) on Friday, April 8 as we chat about Creating a Smarter Home!

Faster networks and smarter apps have produced a whole new generation of connected devices for the home, including Bluetooth speakers, security cameras, smart thermostats, and more. We look at how these devices are changing the way we live, and explore the future possibilities for this rapidly expanding sector of the mobile lifestyle.
RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 smartphone or a UE Boom 2 Bluetooth speaker!

(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/ZlfrC
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, April 8 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.)