Movies to Help Kids Understand Divorce

By Tracey Dowdy

By the time they turn 33, many Americans are well on their way to the American dream – they’re married, have bought a home, and are earning an annual salary of about $50,000. Unfortunately, that American Dream sometimes doesn’t play out the way we imagined. According to the American Psychological Association, more than 20 percent of first marriages end in divorce within five years, and 48 percent of marriages dissolve by the 20-year mark. The divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher.

No one would argue that a healthy marriage contributes to a happy home, and children who grow up in one of those happy homes are better protected from mental health issues, as well as physical, educational and social problems. It can be traumatic, but research suggests that most children adjust well within two years following the divorce.

Finding your new “normal” can be a challenge for everyone. Many times, children aren’t sure what to expect with such major life change, and they’re likely to have questions and concerns.

The most important thing is of course to have healthy, open communication and for the children to know that the reasons the marriage ended are between partners, and it isn’t their fault. These movies can help start conversations, and perhaps normalize some of the emotions your children may experience.

The Parent Trap – The original version (1961 – Hayley Mills) is charming though it has some rather dated gender roles, while the newer version (1999 – Lindsay Lohan) holds up even though it’s 20 years old this year. There’s a considerable amount of lying starting with both parents hiding the existence of the other twin, so both films offer multiple teachable moments about the importance of telling the truth to build trust in a relationship. The movie’s plot is focused on the girl’s attempts to get the parents to reconcile, a common wish for children of divorce. Suitable for ages 6+.

Night at the Museum – It may be an odd choice since divorce is a subplot, not the necessarily the focus of the film, but the primary reason Stiller takes the job as night watchman at the museum is an effort to maintain contact with and provide some level of stability for his son, with whom he shares custody with his ex-wife. You’ll discover conversation starters about the impact divorce can have on family finances, lessons on conflict resolution, and on the importance of taking responsibility for your actions. Best for kids ages 7+.

Mrs. Doubtfire – Despite the fact Robin Williams is at his funniest, Mrs. Doubtfire takes a rather raw, un-funny look at life after divorce and the animosity that can tear a family apart. While filled with sight gags, great one-liners, and scenes that will make everyone giggle, there are several that may be difficult for kids in the midst of separation to watch, especially the high conflict scenes between Williams and his onscreen wife, Sally Field. It can open conversations about judging others unfairly, the dangers of making assumptions and being unwilling to forgive or show mercy, and the importance of keeping things amicable for everyone’s sake. Because of some mature themes and profanity, this is best for ages 12 and up.

The Pursuit of Happyness – If you’re ready for as near a real-life look at divorce as you can get without watching a documentary, The Pursuit of Happyness is a good choice. It’s gritty, emotional, and at times hard to watch. But, even more, the love Will Smith’s character shows for his son, his commitment to their relationship, and his determination to be a good father whatever it takes makes up for the darker elements of the film. Best for kids 12+.

What Maisie Knew – Certainly the most heart wrenching to watch, What Maisie knew paints parents Susanna and Beale, (Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan) in painfully harsh colors. They regularly fight over custody and parenting in front of Maisie, and their disdain for one another is obvious. The story is told primarily through Maisie’s eyes, and can provide older children and parents the opportunity to unpack some very uncomfortable feelings and experiences. Be prepared – the parents are not portrayed sympathetically. As one critic stated, “…although Maisie’s situation is very specific — her parents are of a very affluent, very downtown Manhattan type with a lifestyle that few people live — her experience is unfortunately universal. We need to know what she knows.” Best for kids ages 15+.

 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.

Tuesday, October 29: Traditions & Celebrations

TRADITIONS & CELEBRATIONS

When: Tuesday, October 30, 2019
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join host Claudia Krusch (@ckrusch) and the #VerizonTeDaMas team at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) on Tuesday, October 29 as we chat about Traditions & Celebrations!
Halloween is here and the holidays are just around the corner. Join us we explore our favorite family traditions and cultural celebrations, and share ways on how we can use our mobile devices to make the most of the festivities!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win TWO $50 Amazon gift cards or a brand new Google Nest Hub!

(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: VerizonTeDaMas) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/31SDLA3
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VerizonTeDaMas) on Tuesday, October 29 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced 

Monday, November 4: Getting Your Kids Into Music

Getting Your Kids Into Music

When: Monday, November 4, 2019
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT
Join host Rick Griffin (@RickGriffin) and the #YamahaParents team at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) on Monday, November 4 as they offer tips on how parents can help their children choose the right instrument and develop a love for music!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win a brand new iPad!
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: YamahaParents) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/2Ngy3T5
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#YamahaParents) on Monday, November 4 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

Is Google Big Brother-ing You?

By Tracey Dowdy

Did you know that everything you do while you’re signed in to your Google account – and even some things you do when you’re logged off are part of your Google profile? 

That doesn’t just include your Google searches, it includes every song you listen to, Twitter rabbit hole you fall into, cooking video you watch, and even whether you’re using an Android or iOS smartphone. Perhaps even more concerning, Google Maps tracks you wherever you go, remembers the route you take, when you arrive and what time you leave, even if you don’t open the app. 

With everyone from Facebook to Dunkin Donuts admitting they’ve fallen victim to data breaches, Google announced they had created a privacy hub that allows users to access, delete, and limit the data Google can collect from you. The downside is that navigating all the terms and conditions, sorting through what you need and don’t need, and deciding if the features you’ve turned off leave you vulnerable, can be confusing, to say the least. 

These tips will help you sort through the jargon and limit what – and with whom – you’re sharing information.

The first step is to find out what information you consider private GooglTracey 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.e considers public. 

To see what Google is sharing about you: 

CNET suggests that if your goal is “to exert more control over your data but you still want Google services like search and maps to personalize your results, we recommend setting your data to autodelete after three months. Otherwise, feel free to delete all your data and set Google to stop tracking you. For most of the day-to-day things you do with Google, you won’t even notice the difference.”

  • Open a browser window and navigate to your Google Account page.
  • Enter your username
  • From the menu bar, select Personal info and review the information. At this point, you can change or delete your photo, name, birthday, gender, password, and any other email addresses and the phone number connected to your account. 
  • If you’d like to see what of your information is public, scroll to the bottom and select Go to About me. From here you can edit and delete, though there’s no way to make your account private. 

To review Google’s record of your online activity:

  • Sign in to your Google Account and choose Data & Personalization from the navigation bar.
  • Scroll to Activity Controls and select Web & App Activity to see a list of all your activities that Google has logged.
  • If you want Google to stop tracking your web and image searches, browser history, map searches and directions, and interactions with Google Assistant, uncheck both boxes. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
  • Next, click Manage Activity. This page displays all the information Google has collected on you from the activities mentioned in the previous step, dating back to when created your account.
  • You can set Google to automatically delete this kind of data either every three or every 18 months by selecting “Choose to delete automatically” and choose your timeframe. 
  • You can opt to delete part of all of your activity history manually. On the activity bar, go to Delete activity and choose either Last hour, Last day, All-time or set a Custom range.
  • Once you choose an autodelete setting or manually select which data you want to be deleted, a popup will appear and ask you to confirm.
  • To make sure your new settings are saved, go to Manage Activity and make sure whatever’s there (remember, if you deleted it all there shouldn’t be anything there) only goes back the three or 18 months depending on what timeframe you selected in step 5.

Access Google’s record of your location history

  • Sign in to your Google Account and choose Data & Personalization from the navigation bar.
  • Scroll to Activity controls and select Location History to see a list of all your location data that Google has logged.
  • If you want Google to stop tracking your location, toggle off.
  • Next, click Manage Activity. This page displays all the location information Google has collected on you as a timeline and a map, including places you’ve visited, the route you took there and back, as well as frequency and dates of visits.
  • To permanently delete all location history, click on the trash can icon and choose Delete Location History when prompted.
  • If you want to be sure your location data disappeared, start over with Activity Controls in step 2, then after Manage Activity in set 4 make sure the timeline in the upper left corner is empty and there are no dots on the map indicating your previous locations.

Manage your YouTube search and watch history

Again, CNET recommends setting YouTube “to purge your data every three months. That’s just long enough that YouTube’s recommendations will stay fresh, but doesn’t leave a years-long trail of personal data lingering behind.”

 

  • 1. Sign in to your Google Account and choose Data & Personalization from the navigation bar.

 

  • Scroll to Activity controls and select YouTube History to see a list of all your location data that Google has logged.
  • If you want Google to stop tracking your YouTube search and viewing history completely, turn off the toggle on this page.
  • Next, click Manage Activity – a comprehensive list of every search you’ve ever made and every video you’ve ever watched 
  • To set Google to automatically delete your YouTube data either every three or every 18 months, select “Choose to delete automatically” and select your timeframe.
  • To delete part or all of your activity history, on the navigation bar choose “Delete activity by” and choose either “Last hour,” “Last Day,” “All time” or “Custom range.”
  • Once you choose which data to delete, a popup will appear and ask you to confirm. 
  • To make sure your YouTube data is gone, start over with Activity Controls in step 2, then after Manage Activity in step 4 make sure whatever’s there (remember, if you deleted it all there should be nothing) only goes back the three or 18 months you selected in step 5.

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.

 

 

Learn to Code with Grasshopper

By Tracey Dowdy

 Google has announced that Grasshopper, its tool for teaching kids – or coding newbies like me – how to code, is now available on the desktop through a web-based app as part of its Grow with Google initiative to create economic opportunities for everyone.

Grasshopper launched in 2018 out of Area 120 – Google’s workshop for experimental products – as a mobile app for both Android and iOS. According to Google, “millions” have since downloaded the app to take advantage of the easy to follow lessons.

The desktop version seems a no-brainer. The larger screen, as well as access to an actual keyboard, makes learning to code on the desktop significantly easier than on your mobile phone or tablet. The new interface aligns columns for the instructions, the code editor and the results next to each other so it’s much easier for users to see track what they’re doing and follow the instructions Each lesson has hyperlinked definitions to common coding terms like “function,” “string,” and “argument,” so beginners don’t get lost before they even get started. They’ve also introduced two new classes in addition to the original “fundamentals” class on basic topics like variables, operators and loops. The new classes are specifically designed for your laptop or desktop: Using a Code Editor and Intro to Webpages.

The Using a Code Editor page is especially useful as most of the coding experience in the first few courses focuses on clicking short code snippets and putting them in the right order as opposed to typing out code by hand.

 Grasshopper’s Intro to Webpages course is a project-based curriculum focused on building and designing a website from scratch. Beginner coders will learn the Javascript fundamentals necessary in building a website, plus new HTML and CSS-based coursework. Google promises that after just four courses, beginner coders will understand how to build a simple webpage.

 Once you’ve completed all of Grasshopper’s courses, you’ll be able to build a simple webpage. If you’re still intrigued and want to tackle more complex courses on other platforms, check out sites like Codecademy or Coursera.

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.

Apps for Safer Trick or Treating

By Tracey Dowdy

Tis the season! No, not Christmas, though if you’ve been in WalMart or Target lately there’s plenty of Christmas décor to confuse you. Halloween is nearly here and with it comes all the cautionary tales of Halloween Past. When I was a kid it was razor blades in apples, now it seems we’ve moved on to fears of drug-laced candy.

Of course, parents should exercise caution at Halloween – at what other time do we encourage children to accept candy from strangers? – particularly if your child has food allergies or sensitivities.

These apps can help ensure your little goblins have a safe and happy Halloween.

The First Aid: American Red Cross app features videos, interactive quizzes, with easy to understand step-by-step advice for all kinds of medical emergencies including allergies and anaphylaxis, so you can feel better prepared in the event of an emergency. The app is fully integrated with 911, so you can contact emergency services directly through the app. Free – iOS/Android

Spokin is a food allergy app that provides you with allergen related resources customized to your family’s food allergies, location, and experience. Protect your child from accidental exposure through Spokin’s hidden allergen feature or find answers to your questions, and even follow another user with the same food allergies and taste. Free – iOS

Google Maps lets you keep track of your child’s location in real-time or use it to access the location of a parent or chaperone who might be with them. You need at least two smartphones (or a tablet with cellular) with the Google Maps app downloaded and location sharing activated – one for you and one that goes with the trick-or-treaters. Once downloaded on both devices, open “Location Sharing” on the left-hand side menu on the app. Free – iOS/Android

Life360 allows you to set up a trick-or-treat route with your children and as they reach the next zone on the map, you receive a notification on your smartphone. The apps also share the phone’s battery life, so you’ll know if the phone did die, or if they turned it off to do a second round of trick or treating. Free – iOS/Android

For many of us, it’s impossible to know all your neighbors. The FBI and U.S. Department of Justice have sex offender registries that connect all U.S. state, tribal, and territory websites so that citizens can search for the identities and locations of known sex offenders.  

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, October 24: Saluting YOU

SALUTING YOU

 

When: Thursday, October 24, 2019
8:00 – 9:00 pm ET
5:00 – 6:00 pm PT

Join host Pam Rossi (@Always5Star) and the #VerizonSalutes team at 8 pm ET (5 pm PT) on Thursday, October 24 as we salute YOU for your contribution to society!
Regardless of what type of work you’re in, you play an important role in making our society work. YOU are the reason Verizon is committed to building a better network for the way you work, play and interact with one another.
Join host Pam Rossi @Always5Star as we share how we utilize technology to help us at work and make our lives more enjoyable!
RSVP and attend the chat for a chance to win one of TWO brand new
Google Nest Hubs!

(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: VerizonSalutes) indicating your Twitter ID.
  2. Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: https://bit.ly/2Brvc4e
  3. Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VerizonSalutes) on Thursday, October 24 between 8:00 – 9:00 pm ET.
  4. Tell your Twitter followers!
PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

“Be A Looper” – Suicide Prevention App

By Tracey Dowdy  

According to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, but fewer than half of them receive any treatments.

It’s a statistic that seemed all too relatable for Amanda Johnstone, who lost twelve friends to suicide. Though the reasons each took their own life varied, they had one common denominator. “They all thought they were a burden, and it was too hard to keep reaching out,” says Johnstone.

To manage her grief and hyper-aware of the need for emotional support, Johnstone cam up with the idea of organizing close friends into a group SMS text that would serve as a routine, low-key mental health check-up. Every day at 4 pm, each would rate their mental state on a scale of one to ten, so those who were struggling had immediate resources and support.

Johnstone’s idea was even better in practice than in theory, so she took the idea to a developer who helped her create “Be a Looper,” a free peer-support app enabling users to touch base with five friends daily. Launched in November 2017, Be A Looper has spread to 76 countries—with Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. as the top three users—and was nominated for the 2018 Global Mobile Awards. 

The apps help users to both share how their day is tracking and keeps a close eye on those that may need support. Users can add up to five ‘Loopers’ into their network, and all networks are private. When an individual Looper is added, they are prevented from seeing other people. Instead – they get to create their safe network. The app doesn’t work offline, but users don’t need to have cellular reception just be connected to the internet (either via WiFi or via data) to use the Be A Looper app.

“We are all on our phones all the time, so it made so much sense to create something that’s already in people’s hands, which gives them that nudge to reach out and take a little bit of care of each other,” says Johnstone.

 If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. In emergencies, call 911 or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.

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.

Yahoo may owe you $358 for data breach settlement

By Tracey Dowdy

Did you get an email from Yahoo stating you may be eligible for compensation due to a data breach? Unfortunately, it’s not a scam. If you had a Yahoo account between 2012 and 2016, you’re eligible to take part in a class action settlement to compensate you for losses as the result of a data hack.

According to Yahoo, over the past several years, hackers gained access to Yahoo user accounts on multiple occasions and stole user’s private emails, calendars, and contacts. On the Frequently Asked Questions page of their website, Yahoo outlines just how far the hackers went

  • In the initial breach in 2012, Yahoo states that no data was taken, but in 2013, hackers gained access to all of the more than three billion Yahoo accounts. They stole names, email addresses, telephone numbers, birth dates, passwords, and answers to users’ security questions. 
  • Then in In November 2014, “malicious actors” again gained access to Yahoo’s user database and “accessed  the names, email addresses, telephone numbers, birth dates, passwords, and security questions and answers of Yahoo account holders.”
  • From 2015 to September 2016, hackers bypassed the need for a user account password by creating “forged cookies” that provided them with access to Yahoo email accounts, impacting approximately 32 million user accounts worldwide.

As a result, Yahoo has announced that if you had a Yahoo account any time between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, and are a resident of either the US or Israel, you are eligible to file a claim for part of the $117,500,000 settlement fund. This includes accounts with Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Yahoo Finance, Tumblr, and Flickr.

As for how much compensation you can expect, the number varies, and you may choose either money or credit monitoring.  

According to the website, the settlement provides the following benefits to Settlement Class Members:

  • Data Security Practice Changes and Commitments by Yahoo (see FAQ 10);
  • Credit Monitoring Services (see FAQ 11, FAQ 17);
  • Cash Payment as an Alternative to Credit Monitoring Services (see FAQ 12, FAQ 17);
  • Fraud Resolution Services (see FAQ 13);
  • Cash Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Losses (see FAQ 14 and FAQ 18);
  • Cash Reimbursement for up to 25% of Paid User Costs (see FAQ 15 and FAQ 19); and
  • Cash Reimbursement for up to 25% of Small Business User Costs (see FAQ 16 and FAQ 20).

If you choose to submit a claim, you must submit all forms online or postmarked by mail by July 20, 2020.

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.