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Anna Faris Discusses Accidental Sexting Incident on Ellen

December 14th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Just the headline alone is intriguing enough to pull a reader into the story.  This case as reported on RobotCeleb.com happened innocently enough between movie star, Anna Faris and her husband, actor Chris Pratt; in fact it was a regular event for this couple on Wednesdays.  The problem happened when Ms. Faris accidentally sent a “sext” message to her father. The message according to RobotCeleb.com “I can’t wait to see you in bed tonight.” – fairly mild considering today’s standards; according to BricksandStonesgossip.com the unfortunate event took place more than a year ago.

This story probably wouldn’t even be talked about – except for all the tragedies we read about everyday; cases in which people commit suicide or face lifelong consequences like having to register as a sex offender.  As the efforts by schools, legislatures and law enforcement continue toward educating teens and tweens about the consequences of sexting, we as parents must do our part as well.  Our kids need to be taught to respect their bodies and that nothing, absolutely nothing sent through the Internet, e-mail or smart phones – is ever truly deleted; On the Internet nothing is ever deleted

KidPhone Advocate is a technology set up by parents, for parents. KidPhone Advocate was designed around a simple premise: Protect the children. It’s just that simple. Protect the children. It’s what we’re passionate about. We’re parents, just like you! But we believe when it comes to our new digital age, the focus on the advancement of technology and pressures from share-holders and the market to deliver better gadgets and “toys”, has completely over-shadowed the need to make sure our children are protected as they use and embrace these technologies.

Communication remains the number one most effective way to help our children.  It is important that our kids understand that with technology comes a healthy respect and a set of rules set by us, the parents.  What rules do you have in your family regarding the use of cell phones?  We’d like to hear from you, the parents as to how you set these rules for your child’s cell phone use and how you handle things when the rules are broken.

Anna Faris is best known for her roles in movies like “Scary Movie” and “The House Bunny.” Her new movie “Yogi Bear” opens nationwide on December 17th.
Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Parenting, Sexting
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What Does Digital Safety Mean In Your Home?

December 9th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

How far are you willing to go to keep track of your child? When your kids say they are going to a new friends’ house – do you just let them go or do you ask questions, get phone numbers and meet the parents?  Of course you would do your due diligence and check into these new friends.  How important is it that you share similar values with the new friends’ family?  If you’re willing to go to any length as a parent to ensure your child’s safety, physically – what are you doing about making sure they are also digitally safe?  Technology these days gets a bad rap, much like those rock-n-roll music did in the 50’s.  It’s not the music, nor is it technology that is harming our kids.

I will be the first to admit that I as a parent, have gotten spoiled knowing that at almost any time of the day or night – I can reach my children whether they are home or away.  The expectation has been discussed with my kids regarding the fact that when I reach out to them via their cell phones– they had better answer.  I’m not trying to sound like this crazy over-protective parent; I’m far from that.  I have two teenagers, one is 19 the other is 15 and both have earned a certain level of respect and privacy, just for today.  I will however take away their cell phones and Internet access but where there’s a will – there’s a way; teenagers can be a very determined group.  That hasn’t changed since I was a teen, if I wanted to do something badly enough, I would figure out how to do it.  I understand that and it definitely enters my mind as I try to parent them, to the best of my ability.

Do you feel it’s invading your child’s privacy to go through their cell phones, their bedroom or check to see what’s in their backpacks?  Respect is earned and lost as we make decisions and encounter the consequences.  When I found out my son was mixed up in some things he shouldn’t be – there was nothing that was out of bounds.  As long as he lives under my roof and is supported by me, those are the rules.

So how do you balance things in your home?  What about if your kids have more than one household, do they have different rules when they are at the other house?  As a parent, are you willing to go to any length to ensure your child’s safety – whether it is physically or digitally?  What does keeping your child digitally safe mean to you?

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Parenting
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Force Bullies To Leave Schools

December 1st, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Is it legal for a school to force a student found to be bullying – to change schools within the district?  Seem harsh – or an idea who’s time has come?  Consider the alternative, if your child is being bullied to the point of not going to school, should you as their parent need to make arrangements to keep your kid in school while the bully keeps it up?

The move of the student to another school within the district would only happen in the most severe of cases of bullying.  If the school is responsible for minimizing the future possibilities of bullying, the option of removing part of the problem seems like a logical solution.  I think it would need to be very clearly shown that all other options to stop the bullying had been attempted before a school could be pushed to force a student to change schools.

Tom Vaughan a board member cited state law pertaining to change of school or assignment (RSA 193:3), which causes the new guidelines to be called into question.  This law states that one of the criteria for moving a student to an equal school, is with the permission of the student’s parent or guardian; that might not be such an easy task.  Playing devil’s advocate – what if you’re naive to the idea your child could be a bully and moving your kid to a different school makes your life more difficult; would you be willing to grant permission – probably not.

Headlines appear daily, stories of our kids being bullied whether in person or over the Internet – schools are feeling the pressure to deal with the bullies.  This is one state’s apparent way of attempting to deal with it – what do you think, should a school district have the authority after other steps – to move a student to another school within the district?  Tell us what you think about this topic.

Full Article: http://bit.ly/NashuaTelegraph

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Cyberbullying, Our Youth
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Teachers okay to confiscate cellphones, read texts

November 29th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

If you’re like me, just reading that headline garners some sort of a feeling.  My immediate reaction is – “Heck No”!  But, if I pause and consider what it must be like in today’s schools trying to combat this technological distraction; I have to think it might be a good idea to give that authority to teachers.  Okay, so once the teacher or school official has taken the phone – what should they do with them.  Do the teachers and school administrators have the right to look through the student’s cell phones?  If the phones are on school property do they by default become property of the district?  These are real issues being handled in the state of Virginia.

With all of the talk of cyberbullying and sexting the natural question is what should the teachers do with the information found on the phone; according to this article the school officials are to turn the information over to law enforcement.  Here’s a bit which could come under additional review:  “Sharing the photos with other teachers or with the school principal — even if for purposes of disciplining the students involved — could get the teacher in trouble for distributing child pornography” according to the Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R).  I have to believe that statement has the potential to come under some further scrutiny.

Do you think that if students knew that teachers had the right to not only confiscate their cell phones but also to read their texts and look at pictures – would that be enough to cause students to be more careful?  Nope – I don’t think so either.  On the first day of school, if the teens and tweens are warned, they might be a “little” more careful but I bet by the afternoon they forgot the consequences.  How long before a student in Virginia has their phone taken away, messages read by a school official – and the whole thing ends up in a courtroom – I don’t think it will be too long?

As a parent, what would you do if your child’s phone was taken and the information was reviewed?  Would you be upset with the school for “over-stepping their bounds” or would you be more disappointed in your child for using their phone during school hours?  Have you ever tried to reach your student during school hours by their cell phone?  I know I am guilty of it and when I asked some friends on Facebook, they admitted the same behavior.  I think we all agree that during school hours, our kids should be focused on school, but it’s hard to resist the temptation as a parent to reach out them, simply because we can.

Tell us how you feel about the law(s) in Virginia which allow teachers not only to confiscate cell phones but also to read texts and review pictures.  Whether you agree with this or not – at least it’s being talked about, do you know what your school or state’s policies are regarding cell phones?

The Washington Post article written by: Rosalind S. Helderman

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Cyberbullying, Our Youth, Sexting
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Police checking alleged sexting of teacher to student

November 24th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Murrysville police have obtained search warrants for text messages sent between the cell phones of a male Franklin Regional High School teacher and a male student who he allegedly propositioned for…(you’re going to need to read the article yourself to get the additional details because I’m still in shock!)

Here’s a story reported by the Pittsburg Post-Gazette regarding a male teacher reportedly exchanging text messages over a lengthy period of time with a male student.  It is reported that the teacher tried to solicit a nude photo of the student, but then explained in a subsequent text that he was drunk when he asked for the picture.  The names of both the student and teacher are being withheld because no charges have been filed as of yet.  Police are seeking stored text messages, a text message log, calls received and sent.  If the KidPhone Advocate applicationwere installed on your child’s smart phone all of this information would be readily available for you as the parent and owner of the cellular phone relationship.

These stories continue to scare me, with all the technology and with all the ways that exist to get caught – people are still attempting to do these horrible things to minors.  As a parent, as a decent human being I want these people investigated and if they are guilty – get them far away from kids.  I believe that everyone deserves their day in court and I stand behind Not Guilty until proven in a court of law – but after that time — put them away so that they cannot harm anymore children.

Read Full Article: http://bit.ly/fF2W74
Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Sexting
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Another Sexting Scandal Involving Teens

November 22nd, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Four teenagers are caught up in a sexting scandal:Woodlake Hills Middle School

Headline scare the heck out you? Or are you already numb to these types of articles – I hope not because we cannot give up on this cause or the kids.  This tragedy involves (2) cheerleaders reportedly consensually taking pictures of each other,  and the pictures subsequently found their way into the hands of  fellow students in a school of 900 students.  Two middle school football players are facing disciplinary actions along with the cheerleaders.

As a parent the entire idea scares the heck out of me.  How do we instill in our kids – self respect?  Or what do you think it comes down to – what is it that this generation seems to be missing?  Or is it not a case of missing anything it’s just that with the Internet and technology it’s easier not only to report on these activities but it’s also simple to transmit things that used to be private.  Are we, as parents missing the self-respect lesson for our kids OR are are they choosing to disregard the potential damage & look only at the short term gain of “satisfying” others?

KidPhone Advocate is a technology set up by parents, for parents. KidPhone Advocate was designed around a simple premise: Protect the children. It’s just that simple. Protect the children. It’s what we’re passionate about. We’re parents, just like you! But we believe when it comes to our new digital age, the focus on the advancement of technology and pressures from share-holders and the market to deliver better gadgets and “toys”, has completely over-shadowed the need to make sure our children are protected as they use and embrace these technologies.

Communication remains the number one most effective way to help our children.  It is important that our kids understand that with technology comes a healthy respect and a set of rules set by us, the parents.  What rules do you have in your family regarding the use of cell phones?  We’d like to hear from you, the parents as to how you set these rules for your child’s cell phone use and how you handle things when the rules are broken.

For the full article from KENS5 News: http://bit.ly/d3f3K0

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Parenting, Sexting
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Parents Should Learn About Sexting

November 15th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

The article I read on the Jamestown Sun web page prompted me to think once again about communicating with our teens and/or tweens about the dangers of sexting.  In speaking to my teens about the topic, there is the initial blushing because the word “sex” worked its way into the conversation but then we discuss the concept surrounding the dangers involved with sexting.  I’ve tried to impress upon them both that no matter what it is that is sent out, whether it be a verbal statement, an email or an inappropriate picture – once it’s part of the electronic world, there’s no guarantee how it will be received or disseminated.

The article states that 1 in 5 teenagers have sent a “sext” message.  Although the survey details aren’t shared, if you live in a neighborhood such as I do that has households with teenagers in most homes – which house contains the one “sexting” teen?  What rules have you set up with your kids regarding the technology they use, including their cell phones?

http://bit.ly/JamestownSun

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Sexting
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Does Cyberbullying Really Exist?

October 16th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Another recent tragedy is being attributed, at least in part to cyberbullying, the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi; and if you’re reading this I’m willing to bet you also recognize the names Megan Meier, Phoebe Prince and countless others like them.  Call it whatever you want but the end result is still the tragedy of their deaths.  I saw the title to this article and just had to read more,  “Does cyberbullying exist, and is technology to blame?“ – I had to find out what it was about – agree or disagree – it had my attention.

The author who originated this thought provoking chain, Anil Dash is quoted as saying “The truth of it is, calling the cruelty that kids show to one another, based on race or gender identity or class or any other imaginary difference, by a name like “cyberbullying” is a cop-out. It’s a group of parents, school administrators and lazy reporters working together to shirk their own responsibility for the meanspirited, hateful, incomprehensible things their own kids do.”

Tell us what you think – this is a topic that is getting a lot of press time, and time in our legal systems – so do you believe cyberbullying really exists?  In my opinion, no matter what society calls it – if my child is in danger, I want to know about it and it’s that “knowing” part that becomes so much more difficult with the anonymity of the Internet.

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Cyberbullying, Our Youth, Parenting
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Girl, 17, successfully sues school after teacher confiscates her mobile… and finds naked pictures of her

September 21st, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

I read the headline and knew this demanded more than a passing glance.  The story goes that the female student took naked pictures of herself to show her boyfriend (these were not sent from the phone, sexting isn’t the issue here).  The teacher took the phone because the student was using it before a lesson started, quite possibly no issues at this point – but the story doesn’t stop here.  The teacher then took the liberty of scrolling through the pictures on the phone, after which the phone was handed over to the principal who reportedly took the same liberties.

As a parent how do you feel about this?  My initial reaction is all over the board.  First and foremost I am alarmed at the idea of my daughter taking naked pictures of herself period; regardless of whether they were on her phone, digital camera or computer.  So I have a parenting ‘opportunity’ here with my daughter – but then what about the school officials looking through my daughter’s phone.  I honestly do not see what right they have to go through the phone – how do you feel?  Should the school officials have been allowed to go through the student’s phone?  What would you do if you found out that your child’s phone was taken away and then that someone had gone through it?

Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/a4BDzL

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Our Youth, Parenting, Sexting
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The Phoebe Prince ‘bullycide’ trial:

September 16th, 2010 by KidPhone Advocate

Wondering what is happening with the Phoebe Prince cyberbullying case?  I heard that two of the defendants were in court this week so I wanted to know what was happening.  We all remember the sad case of the 15-year old student from Massachusetts who committed suicide after the widely publicized case of “bullycide” – in fact it was this case that brought that term to America’s dinner tables.  This article does an excellent job of summarizing some plans and some educated guesses as to how the trial will continue for those accused in the Phoebe Prince case.

What do you think, what should happen to those classmates who are accused of being allegedly being a part of what led Phoebe Prince to commit suicide?

Please read the full article at http://yhoo.it/PhoebePrinceUpdate

Fox Video: http://bit.ly/PhoebePrinceFoxUpdate

Categories : Cell Phone Safety, Cyberbullying, Our Youth, Parenting
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