This document provides guidance for parents on helping children navigate the digital world safely and effectively. It addresses topics like screen time limits, appropriate websites, privacy and internet safety. Key recommendations include having open conversations, setting clear rules and expectations, using parental controls when needed, and leading by example in digital media use. The goal is to help kids reap benefits of technology while avoiding potential downsides by practicing balance, responsibility and respect.

1. XXI Century
Navigating the digital world with your child 2015
Preschool & Elementary
Samuel Landete, IT Coordinator
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The content of this presentation has been mainly extracted from Common Sense
Media

2. Warning!! this slides
are most useful when
checking the notes

3. Screen Time
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by ThatAsianMike

4. Is it OK to let my
preschooler watch TV
in the morning before
school?
OK as long as your preschooler has plenty of active and imaginative playtime in
addition to lots of time with a loving caregiver.
Tips:
Choose mindfully. Preschool TV shows that offer real substance are out there --
you just have to find them. If you can, record the shows so when an
episode is over, your preschooler knows TV time is done.
Use the shows as a jumping-off point for related activities. Say there's a
segment on Sesame Street about butterflies. When you can, visit a nature
preserve, or get some books or rent movies that delve deeper into the topic.
Split it up. Instead of two shows in the morning, make a deal with your child. One
show before school and one show after (so you can make dinner!).
Consider mixing things up. Many of the new apps available for smartphones
and tablets provide a kind of hybrid experience of watching and interacting.
Also, specialized learning tools such as LeapFrog's LeapPad and Leapster
Explorer provide entertaining and educational experiences. Your preschooler
is old enough to do a bit of self-directed learning for short periods.

5. Is it OK to let my
preschooler play with
my phone?
You are not alone: According to Common Sense's 2013 study "Zero to Eight:
Children's Media Use in America," 72 percent of kids 8 and under have used a
mobile device for some sort of media activity -- and 38 percent of kids under 2
have used a mobile device for media.
Make sure it's balanced with plenty of outdoor or active play, plus lots of quality
family interactions.
Tips:
Watch and listen to how your child is engaging. Make sure you download age-
appropriate apps, and check them out first to make sure you think the subject matter
is age-appropriate. Can your kid understand the words? Manipulate the game? Really
young kids are still developing their fine motor skills, so unless you want a frustrated
child on your hands, make sure a game doesn't require lots of coordination.
Build positive habits. Remember that kids quickly develop routines. If they associate
going to restaurants or driving in a car with playing games on your phone, it will be
difficult to transition them out of this behavior.

6. Balance coping skills. Ultimately, we want kids to be able to amuse themselves in a
variety of settings and with different tools, even if they only have their imaginations.
Make sure your kids are equally comfortable with picture books, music, and crayons
as they are with tablets and TVs.
Keep an eye on the phone. It can get dropped (on the floor, in a toilet), wedged in a
seat, or left in a seat pocket. These things are expensive!
Remember that you're their role model. Kids learn their behavior from you.
Consider narrating your use of the phone ("I'm texting your dad to remind him to pick
up milk") so they can understand the utility of the tool.

7. Should I get my
preschooler an iPad or
other tablet?
Tablets are popular with the preschool set because they're easy to use and super
portable, and they run a huge array of apps that engage kids' minds -- and sometimes
their bodies -- in a variety of ways. Studies show that kids can learn from apps, and
exposure to digital tools such as tablets and computers can provide a helpful boost,
especially for kids with fewer overall resources. But so long as kids have some
exposure to the digital world and a variety of learning opportunities in their
lives, they don't need an iPad now to succeed later in life.
Consider why you want to get the device. Is it to get them prepped for school? Is it
to keep them entertained? Is it to let them practice their motor skills? Tablets can do
all these things -- but they can't do them alone. Choosing quality apps geared
toward your kids' ages, setting realistic expectations, and supporting your kids'
learning both on -- and off -- the device are key.
There is a wide variety of tablets is on the market, including ones specifically
made for young children. Things to look for include:
● cost,

8. ● the variety and price of available apps,
● and longevity.
You'll want something that, as much as possible, can grow a few years with your
child.
Choosing and downloading apps is the fun part. Read reviews and watch demos, if
they're available. Note how the apps engage your child. The interaction that tablets
and well-designed apps offer young kids -- including the ability to discover new things,
follow their interests, satisfy their curiosity, and be rewarded for effort -- is what helps
kids learn.

9. Will my children be
behind their peers if
they aren't already
using tablets and
computers?
Most likely, no. The ability to use technology competently is not a skill, such as
learning letters and numbers, that builds a foundation for the rest of your child's
academic career. Kids who have a solid academic base, exposure to a rich variety of
experiences -- including the use of digital tools and other social and intellectual
activities -- likely will pick up digital skills fast once they start using them.
Some kids might experience temporary social limitations, such as not being able
to talk about and play the latest video game with friends. Also, they might not be in
tune when technology is introduced in the classroom (which is happening at a fast
rate).

10. What are some good
websites that are safe
for my kid to explore?
Sites featuring characters that kids already like are good places to start. But be
careful: Many of these (Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Disney) can be really
commercial. For 5- to 7-year-olds, we like Poptropica, FunBrain, and PBS's wide
selection of offerings. You also can follow up on kid's interests -- from trains and
dinosaurs to princesses -- to keep them connected to what they enjoy offline.
The key is to look for age-appropriate content that really engages your child. For
preschoolers,interactive activities with an educational bent should offer practice with
letters and numbers, drawing, story-making, shape recognition, silly songs, and
rhymes. If your kids aren't reading yet, look for sites that feature audio prompts. For
kids practicing fine motor skills, sites with big buttons are good.
Age 7 is about when kids might start exploring virtual worlds. These are closed
environments that offer a wide variety of games and activities, as well as social
features such as chatting and making a friends list. Virtual worlds typically can be
played in for free but offer more features when you buy a subscription.

11. Does exposure to
violent movies or
video games make kids
more aggressive?
Although experts agree that no single factor can cause a nonviolent person to act
aggressively, heavy exposure to violent media can be a risk factor for violent
behavior. Children who are exposed to multiple risk factors -- including aggression
and conflict at home -- are the most likely to behave aggressively.
The good news is that, as parents, we can make a choice to consistently expose our
kids to media that reflects our own personal values and say "no" to the stuff that
doesn't. There are so many great benefits to media and technology, including the
potential to teach valuable skills. Doing research about TV shows, movies, or games
before your kids watch, play, and interact with them will go a long way in helping them
avoid the bad stuff.
And then there’s Minecraft: An open-ended building game with seemingly endless
possibilities, Minecraft can be mighty engrossing. On the plus side, Minecraft can
reinforce geometry concepts as it strengthens players' thinking and reasoning skills,
creativity, and even collaboration. The game has a strong, positive online community
and even has an educational module teachers can modify for classroom lessons on
different subjects. On the downside, as you've discovered, it's a time suck.

12. Even "good" games can be played to excess, and homework, chores, family
obligations, and real-world social activities can take a backseat when kids can't -- or
won't -- stop playing. And even if your kid is learning from the game, other areas of life
are important, too.
1. Help your kids self-regulate. Start by having a conversation about all their daily
duties and figure out how much game time fits in.
2. Create a calendar, have them set a timer, and reward them for sticking to the
time limits.
3. If you've tried this and want more control over their screen time,consider
installing a parental-control program that lets you set daily screen limits for
different programs.

13. How can I get my kids
to put down their
phones?
Staying in touch with friends is important to tweens and teens -- when we were
teens, we talked for hours on the phone! Now the same kind of contact happens
through texting. And, as annoying as it can be to see your kids jabbing away at their
phones, it's a normal part of life.
However, if cell phone use is getting in the way of family time, homework, and other
responsibilities, it might be time to help your kid manage his or her phone time (for
example with TextED, this Canadian site is a valuable resource for any teen who
texts, tackling topics like healthy relationships, gossip, and harassment in an
engaging and age-appropriate way.
Help kids find space for face-to-face conversations. Put phones down during key
conversation times such as dinner or car rides.
Model the manners and behavior you want to see. Avoid texting in the car.
Consider narrating your phone use ("I'm looking up directions to the party") so young
kids understand the utility of the device. Make sure to excuse yourself if you have to
interrupt a family moment to attend to your phone.

14. needed break.
Establish consequences for problematic phone use. If your kids are having
trouble putting the phone away when you ask or are engaging in other problematic
phone-related behavior, consider instituting temporary time or location limits. Some
wireless carriers offer parental controls that let you set daily phone-use limits, and
some apps can disable your kid's phone when he or she hits a limit.

15. If my kid needs to use
the computer for
school, how do I make
sure he's not
wasting time on
other stuff?
Discuss your concerns and talk about ways to structure homework time that work for
everyone. Consider asking your kids to write down assignments and have them check
each off as they finish them.
If your kid is really having a tough time blocking out distractions and staying focused,
you might need some technical assistance. If your kid's school uses a 1:1 device
program, ask the teacher if it comes with some time-management software or other
controls that allow you to restrict access to non-homework-related sites. If your kid is
using your home computer to do work, you might consider a parental-control program
such as Skydog, OpenDNS, or KidsWatch that lets you separate homework from
playtime. But it is better not to rely too much on technical solutions, they should be
considered training wheels on the road for the final objective: have him/her manage
time effectively.

16. How do I talk to my kid
about Internet porn?
There's no sugarcoating it: It's easy for kids to find porn online, even through
completely innocent searches. Many parents find themselves confronting this issue
much sooner than they imagined, with kids who may not even understand exactly
what sex is. If younger kids are frequent Internet users, it's a good idea to set up
content filters or parental controls to reduce the chances they'll be exposed to
inappropriate images or video. Once kids are a little older, you can teach them to
click away from content that is clearly not intended for kids their age and explain
that certain stuff on the Internet is for adults only.
If you think your kids might encounter porn online, either by accident or on purpose,
it's a good idea to explain what pornography is in an age-appropriate way.
● Tell your kids that it's natural to be curious. Avoid saying something that
may make them feel ashamed.
● Make sure they know you're available to talk about any subject -- nothing's
off the table.
● Look for other resources -- books, age-appropriate websites, movies -- that
can educate your kids about sex, intimacy, puberty, and relationships.

17. ● For older kids, explain that pornography typically presents the extremes
of human relationships -- and that the people depicted are usually paid
actors. It's not representative of real intimacy.
● For teens, explain your family's policy on viewing Internet porn.
● One thing to consider: Some porn sites can introduce harmful viruses onto
your home computer.

18. How do screens -- such
as TV and smartphones
-- affect my kids’
sleep?
While the connection between poor sleep and bedroom TVs is well-established,
the effect of small screens -- smartphones, iPods, tablets, or other small-screen
devices -- on kids' sleep hasn't been studied until recently. A report released in
January 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that they're just as
worrisome – but for different reasons than TVs.
Television’s glare and volume obviously robs kids of sleep, but a small screen can
inhibit sleep in other ways: by occupying kids when they should be sleeping,
keeping their brains and bodies alert with interactivity, throwing off their natural
sleep rhythm, and interrupting sleep with notifications. In the study, kids reported
not sleeping as well and feeling as though they didn't get enough rest when they
snoozed near a small screen.
Staying up too late can make kids cranky -- but there are real health risks, too.
Obesity, poor school performance, even behavioral problems can stem from
inadequate sleep. It's not always possible to clear the bedroom of all screens -- but
instruct your kids to turn them off, download apps that disable the device at
bedtime, and charge devices in your room at night to help your kids get the

19. rest they need.

20. Privacy, Internet Safety, Social Media
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By The blog teacher

21. How do I keep my kid
safe on the Internet?
Internet safety goes way beyond protecting kids from strangers or blocking
inappropriate content. It's about helping your kids use the Internet productively and
practice safe, responsible online behavior -- especially when you're not there to
answer their questions or check in on where they've ventured. Keep in mind that what
may seem like basic knowledge to parents is new to kids just getting started in the
digital world. Having a conversation before your kid embarks online helps set
expectations and establish ground rules. Here are the basic guidelines to share with
your kid:
● Follow your family's rules about when and where to use the Internet.
● Be polite, kind, and respectful.
● Understand a website's rules, and know how to flag other users for
misbehavior.
● Recognize "red flags," including someone asking you personal questions such
as your name and address.
● Never share your name, your school's name, your age, your phone number, or
your email or home address with strangers.

22. ● Never send pictures to strangers.
● Keep passwords private (except from parents).
● Never open a message from a stranger; it may contain a virus that can harm a
computer.
● Immediately tell an adult if something mean or creepy happens.

23. How do I protect my
kid's privacy online?
First, there are two kinds of online privacy. Personal privacy refers to your kid's
online reputation, and consumer privacy (also known as customer privacy) refers
to the data companies can collect about your kid during an online interaction or
transaction. Both are important, and a few simple steps can help parents and kids
keep their private information private.
The first step is using strict privacy settings in apps and on websites. When you
or your kid gets a new device or signs up for a new website or app, establish your
privacy preferences. Follow the directions during initial set-up, or go to the section
marked "privacy" or "settings" and opt out of things such as location sharing and
the ability for the app or website to post to social media sites such as Facebook
on your behalf. Encourage kids to read the fine print before checking a box or
entering an email address. Although it might not be practical to read through every
Terms of Service contract, it's good to remind kids to be aware of what information
they're agreeing to share before they start using an app, a website, or a device.
Next, teach your kids always to consider the information they're potentially
giving away when engaging online. For younger kids, define that information as

24. address, phone number, and birth date. Make sure they understand the basics of
good online behavior:
1. Communicate appropriately. Use the right language for your audience. You
might write or speak to a teacher differently from a friend. And never use all
caps!
2. Keep private things private. Don't share personal information, including
passwords, your home address, inappropriate images, and gossip.
3. Respect others. Be courteous. Disagree politely.
4. Don't lie, steal, or cheat. Don't try to deceive others. Remember to give credit
where credit is due. And, although it's easy to copy others' work, download
things without permission, or use game cheat codes, don't do it.
5. Be an "upstander." If someone you know is being targeted by a bully, stand
up for that person. You would want him or her to do the same for you.
6. Report misbehavior. The Internet is a giant community, and you can help it
be a nice place.
7. Follow your family's rules. If your parent tells you to avoid certain websites
or to stop texting after a certain time, listen. The more you act responsibly, the
more privileges you'll get.
8. Think before you post, text, or share. Consider how you and others might
feel after you've posted something. It's not always easy to take back what
you've said online, and your online behavior can create a lasting footprint.
Remind them that it's not always easy to take back something once it's online
and that texts and photos can be forwarded to anyone.
Finally, there are some legal restrictions in place to help protect your kids' consumer
privacy and insure they're using age-appropriate websites and apps. The Children's
Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents kid-targeted websites and apps from
collecting data from kids younger than 13 without parental consent.

25. What are the best
privacy settings
for my computer and
smartphone?
The place to go to protect your computer against privacy invasion is your web
browser. When you go online, websites install cookies on your computer that track
your movements. Some cookies can be beneficial, such as those that remember your
login names or items in your online shopping cart. But some cookies are designed to
remember everything you do online, build a profile of your personal information and
habits, and sell that information to advertisers and other companies. (Check out these
kid Web browsers.)
Take a look at the privacy settings offered in your browser (usually found in the Tools
menu) to see whether you can fine-tune them to keep the good and block the bad.
Privacy settings on smartphones vary, but you can tighten up privacy with these
precautions:
Turn off location services. That prevents apps from tracking your location.
Don't let apps share data. Some apps want to use information stored on your phone
(your contact list, for example). Say no.

26. Be careful with social logins. When you log onto a site with your Facebook or
Google username and password, you may be allowing that app to access certain
information from your profile. Read the fine print to know what you're sharing.

27. Is it safe to post
pictures of my kid
online?
Sharing pictures of our kids with friends and family is one of the most popular uses of
social media and has become an everyday way to stay in touch. But it's worth
knowing the facts before posting pictures or letting other people post pictures of your
kids.
First, posting photos of your kids creates a digital footprint -- a kind of electronic paper
trail -- that forms their identities in a world they haven't chosen to enter. Someday
your preschoolers will grow up, and they might not want documentation of their diaper
days hanging out online for their friends to find!
Second, once you post a photo online, you lose control over it. Someone could easily
copy the photo, tag it, save it, or otherwise use it -- and you might never know. Finally,
everything you post has information that is valuable to advertisers and data collectors;
posting a photo of a kid identifies you as someone who might be interested in baby
products, for example.
At the very least, you can minimize the consequences with these precautions:

28. 1. consider using a nickname for your kids; and
2. think about using photo-sharing sites such as Picasaand Flickr that require
users to log in to see pictures (unlike on social media, where all your followers
can see them).

29. How can I make sure
my kid isn't sharing
too much on
Facebook or Instagram?
Take a two-pronged approach. First, probe a bit to find out if your kids might be at risk
for oversharing. Reserve judgment until you've heard your kids out; a heavy-handed
approach can lead to them shutting you out. Ask about what types of things they and
their friends share. Make sure they're not feeling pressured to post things they're
uncomfortable with. And discuss the risks of oversharing, which include damage to
one's reputation and regrets about sharing personal information.
Second, check in about privacy settings. Kids don't always think through the
consequences of their actions. That's when privacy settings really matter. Even if kids
do think before they post, if their privacy settings aren't enabled (or aren't strict) they
may be sharing more than they mean to.

30. What are the basics my kid
needs to know about
social media?
Social media is a variety of tools and methods for interacting and communicating with
others online. Some popular social media tools include Twitter, Instagram, Facebook,
and Snapchat, and each of these offers a different way to share information, connect
with friends, or collaborate. For many users of social media, online and offline
social life is one and the same and includes similar highs and lows. What's really
unique about social media is how it can enable users to instantly reach a wide
audience, giving kids an opportunity to magnify their lives in a way that's
different from the offline experience.

31. How can I help
my kid avoid
digital
drama?
To adults, digital drama and cyberbullying may seem one and the same. But to kids,
there's a difference. Unlike cyberbullying, which involves repeated harassment of
someone, digital drama is the everyday little quarrels and disputes that occur
among friends or acquaintances online or via text message. A guy may change
his relationship status to "single" immediately after a fight with his girlfriend to make a
statement. A teen may post a comment about someone else knowing that people will
see it, friends may chime in, and people will talk about it (subtweets or subliminal
tweets). In the same way that the word drama describes a performance, kids usually
engage in online drama with an audience in mind.
In some cases, digital drama can escalate into an offline fight -- either verbal or
physical. Here's how you can help your kid avoid this:
1. Help set boundaries. Understand that these days relationships often are
played out both online and offline. Kids need their family's guidance in
establishing appropriate boundaries for healthy relationships.
2. Take a time-out. With constant access to texting and posting online, kids

32. 1. don't get a break from the back and forth that can keep digital drama going.
Have some device-free time to give kids a chance to cool off.
2. Let them know you're always there for them. Remind your kids often that
you're always available to talk. While you're at it, remind them about the
school counselor, a favorite teacher, a coach, or even a friend's parent.
Knowing that they have a trusted adult to talk to may encourage teens to open
up more.
3. Use media to talk about drama. Reality TV shows often present extreme
behavior as entertainment. Discuss why these shows are less likely to depict
positive conflict resolution. Also talk about how these shows can encourage
negative stereotypes about female friendships.

33. Am I depriving my kid if I
don’t get him an iPhone?
Not at all. Smartphones -- especially the latest, fanciest ones -- have become status
symbols for kids and are the source of a lot of peer pressure. (Get tips on how to
manage high-tech hand-me-downs.)
Be prepared for lots of impassioned speeches from your teen about why he needs an
iPhone, but, if you don't want or can't afford to get one, know that plenty of kids don't
have them and do just fine, so long as they have some exposure to digital tools and
the chance to develop technology skills at home or at school.
But, if you decide that your teen is responsible enough to follow your cell phone rules
and you want to go for it, here are three ways to establish some control over the
situation:
Discuss appropriate smartphone use. Make sure you and your kids are on the
same page about when and how the phone can be used. Make this a discussion, not
a lecture, so teens feel their voices are heard.
Manage smartphone features. The power that smartphones provide may make you
uncomfortable. Know that you can start with limits on access (to the Internet, for

34. Have your kids pay their way. Have them contribute to the cost of the iPhone or the
data plan -- or both. They'll probably take better care of the phone if they understand
the costs.

35. The most important lesson is to model behavior for your kids and to embrace every
situation as a teaching opportunity

36. Agreements/Contract models
1. Customizable device contract
2. Family media agreement
This could be used as-is or as a base to create your own and establish clearly in
written the rights and responsabilities kids have.

37. Hungry for more?
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns
All questions and answers from this presentation (and more!) can be found at
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/parent-concerns
in which I have based this workshop

38. 21st Century Child: Navigating the digital world with your child 2015 - Preschool
& Elementary by Samuel Landete Benavente is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://docs.google.
com/presentation/d/1FMPAZy_GdZo1MykDQG1IGqKviim3o5lFHSQvSHqmtLk/
edit?usp=sharing.