Blog | Guardian Software

What to Do About the Mean Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Here is a very interesting article about the perils of bullying - especially among girls.

The old adage “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” couldn’t be further from the truth. While boys usually bully through intimidation, girls bully through exclusion, also called relational aggression. Read full article.

Education.comBy Shannon Hutton

Business owners! Keep your employees focused on the job, not Internet distractions

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 02:13:00 +0000

Guardian Monitor Professional gives business owners the power to expose and control unproductive online activity — like casual web surfing and excessive personal business.

Monitor All Online Activity

Get Regular Email Reports

You can have Guardian send you email reports of all computer activity for each monitored computer. The report includes web sites visited, chat, email, instant messaging, keystrokes, and peer-to-peer sites. The email report is sent in the background and does not appear in the target computer email program. You can define report frequency and opt out of a report when the computer is inactive.

Record Chat and Instant Messages

Concerned about online predators? Guardian lets you record chat sessions and instant messages, see what chat rooms are visited, and see who is making contact. Observe both sides of the conversation and even print a copy for later review. You can monitor activity in these popular programs:

AIM Instant Messenger & Chat Rooms
AOL 7, 8, 9 Instant Messenger & Chat Rooms
Yahoo Instant Messenger
MSN Instant Messenger
ICQ

Track Email

You get a copy of every email sent or received, whether it was forwarded or replied to, as well as time, subject and body information. You can sort emails by user, time, address or subject. All these email types are covered:

Outlook
Eudora
AOL 7, 8, 9
SMPT and POP3
HotMail, Yahoo Mail, and IMAP emails

Capture a Video Recording of Screen Activity

You can generate a time-lapse video recording of the computer screen, then do a quick visual scan for inappropriate activity. You can customize the recording frequency, and only record when there is activity.

Log Web Activity

Find out what web sites are being visited. Guardian records the site, who visited it, and when it was visited. Track Internet Explorer, Netscape, and any other browsers on the computer.

Track Downloads

Keep track of every song, photo, and video that is downloaded from websites or file sharing programs like KaZaA and KaZaA Lite. Each file recorded includes a description, the time it was downloaded, and who downloaded it.

Record Every Keystroke

With Guardian, you can even monitor keystrokes. See each keystroke that was typed, when it was typed, by whom, and what program was being used at the time.

Password Secure the Program and Logs

Guardian is a secure, password protected application. You can use a special Hot Key combination to open and login to the program. If desired, Guardian can be set to run in "stealth mode," so it is transparent to the observed user.

Purchase HERE

Getting Involved in Kids' Online Activities

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:57:00 +0000

It's wise to take an active role in protecting your kids from Internet predators and sexually explicit materials online. To do that:

Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.
Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor its use.
Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.
Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.
Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals a user's email address to others.
Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or anyplace where kids could use a computer without your supervision.
Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your kids get to your Internet service provider.
Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you're aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.

Many sites use "cookies," devices that track specific information about the user, such as name, email address, and shopping preferences. Cookies can be disabled. Ask your Internet service provider for more information.

Sex Offender Registry Websites

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:59:00 +0000

The National Sex Offender Public Website—coordinated by the Department of Justice—enables every citizen to search the latest information from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and numerous Indian tribes for the identity and location of known sex offenders.

To run a search: Enter the site, select the “I agree” button under Conditions of Use, fill out the Search form, and select “Search.”

http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/registry/registry

Did You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 23:42:00 +0000

Kids who are educated in the importance of online safety are more likely to take steps to keep themselves safe online than kids who aren’t educated.

One out of five teenagers use their cell phones to go online. Of those who do, one out of five say their parents don’t know that they do this.

One half of all teenagers post their real age on social networking sites Two out of five post the name of the city where they live.

While 25 percent of 13 - to 15-year-olds think it’s unsafe to post personal stuff online, only 14 percent of 16 - to 18-year-olds feel the same way.

Two out of three teenagers say that cyberbullying is a serious problem. One out of three say that online bullying is worse than being bullied in person.

E-Parenting: Online Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:42:00 +0000

They connect to it. They download from it. They watch on it. They listen to it. They play on it. They surf on it. They converse with it. Do you know how to monitor it? It can be hard to keep up when today’s inventions are tomorrow’s antiques, but we want our kids to be safe online, and with the amount of time kids spend online, it’s crucial that you do what you can to keep them safe.

Read entire post here.

New Study for McAfee On Teens and Internet Behavior is a Must Read for Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Internet Safety & Kids
July 10, 2012
By: Theresa Payton

A new study is out. 70% of teens hide their online behavior very well from their parents. This according to a McAfee study. Now if you say, not my teen, just remember the number again 7 out of 10 teens or 70% are going around the rules online.

That’s right. Also according to this study, 73.5% of parents say they trust that their teens stay away from content that is not appropriate but 43% of teens look at online violence every day. And 22.8% of parents say they are so overwhelmed, they just hope for the best. Well, we want to help you do more than hope for the best so Cyber Expert is with us tonight to share some tips.

How your teens keep you from following their tracks.

The top 3 activities:
1. Clearing the browser history when they are done surfing.
2. Closing what they look at when the parent enters the room
3. Hiding and deleting instant messages and videos

What else are they doing?

Well 15% admit they have hacked into someone else’s social media account.
32% of teens admitted they have accessed porn online on purpose

What can you do?
1. Talk to your kids
2. Be Where Your Kids are online
3. Set parental controls
4. Obtain email and social network passwords

____________________________________

Guardian Software lets you monitor and control Internet activity even when you can't be there in person.

Now you can take control and make sure your children are protected. Just select the Guardian Software product designed for your computer or mobile device. Get the peace of mind that comes from being sure they're not at risk.

Cops face uphill battle catching Internet predators

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:51:00 +0000

Ottawa police are facing a growing number of cases involving predators luring children over the Internet.

Ottawa police are better at tracking down cyber-perverts than ever before, but the growing Internet-fuelled crime shows no signs of slowing down.

In 2011, police laid 24 charges of luring a child by computer - more than double the amount from the prior two years combined.

The rise in charges is due to several factors, including more sophisticated software and more officers being trained to track down online predators, say police.

But the investigations are often lengthy and complex, with the number of offenders, lack of jurisdictional boundaries and ever-evolving technology creating headaches for law enforcement trying to keep up.

"What used to take officers a full five days of looking at someone's computer can take months," said Acting Staff Sgt. Frank D'Aoust, with the sexual assault and child abuse section. "Before, it was a stranger on the street luring kids into vehicles. Now it's much easier for them to make thousands of attempts to lure kids online."

For several years, the Ottawa force has had a "luring officer," one of several across Ontario paid for by the province as part of a provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation on the Internet.

But now more officers are being trained on how to go undercover online to target predators as police continually develop strategies.

READ MORE

Protecting your kids from web predators

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:13:00 +0000

by Amanda Kate Winkelman

WASHINGTON (BP)--Parents, teachers and youth leaders can take steps to protect children and young people from becoming victims of online predators and sex traffickers, specialists say.

Experts warn that the threat of children being exploited and trafficked is widespread. Even a decade ago, an estimated 293,000 American youth were at risk of becoming victims of commercial sexual exploitation, according to a 2001 report by the University of Pennsylvania. An estimated 100,000 U.S. children are trafficked annually.

Cris Clapp Logan of Enough Is Enough -- an organization that works to protect children on the Internet -- said the sex industry's growing demand has created more online predators and more sexual trafficking perpetrators. Logan is the director of communications and congressional relations for the organization and suggested the following ways to keep children safe while they are on the Internet:

-- Parents need to be educated about the potential dangers.

-- Parents need to lay down clear Internet safety rules.

-- Children should only communicate online with people they know and trust, and with whom they have face-to-face relationships.

-- Parents should avoid feeling intimidated by the Internet and giving their children full rein in the computer world.

Read entire article here.

This article is brought to you by Guardian Software. Protect your kids from online predators. Purchase our software here.

Guardian Software lets you monitor and control Internet activity even when you can't be there in person.

Cyber Bullying, Internet Addiction Resources Discussed

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Health and Wellness | Thu, 07/05/2012 - 9:16 am

On March 26, there was a New Jersey Psychiatric Association conference in Iselin titled “Psychiatry and Technology in the 21st Century.” Among the topics covered were the effect of technology on children’s emotional and social development, and the effect of technology on mental health.

The keynote speaker at the conference, Michael Rich, M.D., M.P.H, of the Center on Media and Child Health, also of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Children’s Hospital, presented the Lecture, “Mental Health in the Digital Age: Potentials and Perils.”

A series of slides disclosed the trends over the years. The public health issues in 1911 were sanitation in crowded slums, and pollution. Causes of death: infectious disease, birth defects and cancer.

In 2011 acquired health risks (obesity, substance abuse and sexual risk taking) gave way to the leading causes of death among the young: injury, homicide and suicide. In a country where more homes have seven TV’s than just one TV, the largest block of a youth’s day is spent absorbing media output — TV, smart phone, computer, game console, and fractionally reading material.

It was pointed out that heavy compared to light media usage is associated with poor grades, misbehaviors, and lack of personal contentment. Rich pointed out that violence in media produces fear/anxiety, desensitization, and increased aggression, which correspond to the roles of victims, bystanders and bullies, respectively.

Another topic discussed was that: “All media are educational: it’s what they teach and how well they teach it that varies.” He pointed to the website of his center, www.cmch.tv as the source for information on the research that his group is accumulating on these issues.

Also at the conference was the symposium ”Digital World – Impact on Behavior, Development and Relationships.” Speaker Paula C. Rodriquez Rust, Ph.D., of Spectrum Diversity, LLC, spoke on “Cyber Bullying – Nothing Virtual About It.”

Rodriquez’s work with families and school were highlighted in her discussion of the topics “Identifying at Risk Students,” “Warning Signs at School,” and “Helping Victims.” He provided a list of resources for schools, students, parents, and doctors, at www.spectrumdiversity.org.

Cyber bullying is the problem of kids picking on other kids by texting, Facebook entries, or postings on You-Tube. It is an extension of regular bullying, which has received a lot of attention in recent years. Technology is having a big impact on all the members of our society; none more so than today’s youth.

Monitor All Mobile Phone Activity

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 23:43:00 +0000

Guardian MobileSpy software allows you to monitor just about anything that happens on a smart phone, including call information and duration, text messages, websites visited, and more. This information is recorded and stored for you to review at your convenience. And, you get a full log of activity even if the monitored phone user erases the phone logs. MobileSpy does not rely on the phone's internal logging system.

AG urges Internet safety for children during summer break

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 23:53:00 +0000

July 2, 2012

Special to The Sun

OKLA. CITY — Attorney General Scott Pruitt issued a reminder Monday for parents and children about the importance of computer safety during the summer break from school.

“While the Internet is a good resource for information and communication, it’s important for adults to exercise caution and pay attention to what children are accessing and who they are chatting with online,” Pruitt said. “Safety and security are top priorities.”

Attorney General Pruitt broadened the duties of investigators in the AG’s Multicounty Grand Jury Unit to provide specialized training and expand resources for tracking down criminals who try to exploit children through technology.

According to the Crimes Against Children Research Center, 1 in 5 teenagers say they have received an unwanted solicitation online. Only 25 percent of teens told a parent or adult about the incident.

There are numerous tools available to help parents ensure that their children stay safe online and while using electronic devices. The Attorney General’s Office provides the following tips to create a safe online environment:

• Monitor the sites that children visit;

• Search the web together to find safe and fun sights;

• Talk about the importance of Internet safety;

• Prepare children on how to react to uncomfortable situations online;

• Keep computers in a central common area of the home such as a family room, den or kitchen;

• Tell children never to post their home address, phone number or other private information online;

• Know children’s passwords and other login information;

• Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on your child's profile.

Help protect your children online. Visit Guardian Software today.

Keep your employees focused on the job, not on Internet distractions

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Guardian Monitor Professional gives business owners the power to expose and control unproductive online activity — like casual web surfing and excessive personal business.
Monitor All Online Activity

Guardian software allows you to monitor just about anything that happens on a PC and the Internet, including emails, web sites visited, downloads, keystrokes, chat rooms, instant messages, and more. This information is recorded and stored for you to review at your convenience.

Get Regular Email Reports

You can have Guardian send you email reports of all computer activity for each monitored computer. The report includes web sites visited, chat, email, instant messaging, keystrokes, and peer-to-peer sites. The email report is sent in the background and does not appear in the target computer email program. You can define report frequency and opt out of a report when the computer is inactive.
Record Chat and Instant Messages

Concerned about online predators? Guardian lets you record chat sessions and instant messages, see what chat rooms are visited, and see who is making contact. Observe both sides of the conversation and even print a copy for later review. You can monitor activity in these popular programs:

    AIM Instant Messenger & Chat Rooms
    AOL 7, 8, 9 Instant Messenger & Chat Rooms
    Yahoo Instant Messenger
    MSN Instant Messenger
    ICQ

Track Email

You get a copy of every email sent or received, whether it was forwarded or replied to, as well as time, subject and body information. You can sort emails by user, time, address or subject. All these email types are covered:

    Outlook
    Eudora
    AOL 7, 8, 9
    SMPT and POP3
    HotMail, Yahoo Mail, and IMAP emails

Capture a Video Recording of Screen Activity

You can generate a time-lapse video recording of the computer screen, then do a quick visual scan for inappropriate activity. You can customize the recording frequency, and only record when there is activity.
Log Web Activity

Find out what web sites are being visited. Guardian records the site, who visited it, and when it was visited. Track Internet Explorer, Netscape, and any other browsers on the computer.
Track Downloads

Keep track of every song, photo, and video that is downloaded from websites or file sharing programs like KaZaA and KaZaA Lite. Each file recorded includes a description, the time it was downloaded, and who downloaded it.
Record Every Keystroke

With Guardian, you can even monitor keystrokes. See each keystroke that was typed, when it was typed, by whom, and what program was being used at the time.
Password Secure the Program and Logs

Guardian is a secure, password protected application. You can use a special Hot Key combination to open and login to the program. If desired, Guardian can be set to run in "stealth mode," so it is transparent to the observed user.

Buy NOW! Guardian Monitor Professional
Originally $79.95

Now just $59.95

Available for instant download
Works with Windows 98 SE, 2000,
ME, and XP

After LinkedIn: How to protect your password from hacks

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:06:00 +0000

By Doug Gross, CNN

The constant battle for Internet security saw another brazen attack this week as Russian hackers published millions of passwords they collected after hacking the professional-networking site LinkedIn.

Then, hours later, dating site eHarmony announced that a "small fraction" of its users -- others were saying 1.5 million -- were compromised by a similar attack. Security professionals suspect the same hackers may have done it.

"That's what we think," said Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant with Sophos Security. "It was shared in the same places. The content is very similar. And the timing. All of these factors just make it seem like too much to be a coincidence."

It's enough to make some Web users throw up their hands. If the sites we use on a daily basis can't keep our password data secure, how are we supposed to keep ourselves safe?

But security experts say there are still plenty of steps we can take (even if too many people aren't following them).

How to check if your password was stolen

Password-management firm LastPass has released a secure tool to see if your password was among the more than 6 million stolen from LinkedIn. LastPass created a similar tool for people worried about the security of their eHarmony accounts.

Your password still matters

Even in cases such as the LinkedIn breach, when it's a website, not a personal account, that's being hacked, the strength of your password can still help keep you safe.

On sites such as LinkedIn, stored passwords are "hashed," meaning the site uses an algorithm to encode them. So, even if hackers get the data, they still have to unravel them before they're useful.

"Don't give up. Don't think this is all futile," Cluley said. "Choose a long, hard-to-crack, unique password. Not dictionary words. Not a sequence of numbers -- use something that basically looks like gobbledygook. Those will be tougher for the bad guys to crack."

In the case of LinkedIn, there are reports that as many as 60% of the encrypted passwords stolen have been decoded, raising questions about the strength of its security system.

Be careful of post-hack e-mails

When there's a well-publicized security incident on a well-known website, online crooks are more than happy to pile on.

Frequent Questions and Concerns about Online Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:20:00 +0000

Why do I need to be concerned about what my child is doing online?

It’s easy for kids to think they’re anonymous online, because they’re interacting only with a screen and not directly with a person. They forget that what they post becomes public. One of the biggest dangers is risky content. Despite some efforts to regulate content, some of the most popular sites, including YouTube and Google Video, will host disrespectful and inappropriate content. In addition, there are plenty of sites off the beaten path where anything goes. You don’t want your child stumbling into adult movies or attending virtual wild parties. Nor do you want them connecting with online predators.

Why is cyberbullying a problem?

With virtually unlimited access to video cameras and phones, kids can post any photo or footage for the world to see. Unfortunately, some take advantage of this and post unflattering or incriminating videos and photos of others online. Talk to your kids about cyberbullying. Make sure they are not a cyberbully—or a victim.

Get tips on how to prevent cyberbullying.

How big of a problem are online predators?

The risk of online predators will not go away, especially with the increase in interactive and engaging sites where kids are encouraged to share personal information and generate personalized content. Online predators get the most attention when it comes to online safety, but what parents don’t realize is that biggest predator threat isn’t strangers—it’s your child’s peers. Kids are more likely to suffer from posting—or having someone they know posting—something inappropriate online.1
—————

1. Anne Collier, “A Better Safety Net: It’s Time to Get Smart about Online Safety,” School Library Journal (2009), http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/ca6703696.html.

Catching Up With The Bullying Expert

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 02:10:00 +0000

Mary Gordon is a Canadian expert on child development and the founder of Roots of Empathy, a classroom program adopted in 10 countries that has been shown to reduce cruelty and bullying. The program involves periodically taking infants to elementary schools where students become attached to the babies and learn to empathize, ultimately raising their emotional and social consciousness.

READ FULL ARTICLE

How to Protect Your Family from Internet Scams and Abuses

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:23:00 +0000

By Steve Cross, President, Guardian Software Inc.

It's the Wild West on the Internet, and as a parent you are responsible for keeping your kids safe “out there.” Scammers, sexual predators, cyber bullies, and every type of hack are lurking on the Internet, in a very real sense.

If you are the parent of a girl, you probably think about what name she is using in chat rooms and for instant messaging (IM), and you are wise to be concerned. How can you protect your daughter if you are unaware what web sites she visits, what chat rooms, who she chats with, and the true identities of her online “friends?”

If your teenager is a boy; what is he downloading? Are you going to be liable for illegal music downloads? Is he downloading porn, and the viruses that ride along? What sites does he visit, what does he look at there? It's a parents right to know these things, and a parent's responsibility if, heaven forbid, something goes terribly wrong.

Boys are aggressive downloaders, according to studies and many of the most popular sites for illegal downloads of music and movies are infested with viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses (hacker software that sneaks in and lets the hackers use your machine later!). Many of these programs will seek out your personal data and then transmit it to the hackers. Whether it is just the theft of your credit card information or full fledged Identity Theft, you would be very wise to be alarmed by this possibility.

Did you know that recent studies show that teenage girls spend even more time on the internet than boys? That's interesting and alarming news, as teenage girls are more likely to be cyber bullied, or sexually harassed online than boys.

READ MORE

Google Produces an Informal Web Threat Report, Shares Insights

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 23:52:00 +0000

By Mike Lennon

As part of Google’s Safe Browsing initiative that launched five years ago, the search giant had the goal of protecting Internet users from malicious content of various types, including phishing sites, malware, and poisoned search results.

While most of the major security vendors produce their own threat reports on an ongoing basis, Google hasn’t always shared the numbers behind what its platform sees and blocks on an ongoing basis.

Today, however, Google has shared some interesting Web threat statistics, and while the information was not published as an official “threat report”, the company has provided some great insight into the growth of malicious activity across the Web.

Through its massive infrastructrure and reach, Google has developed a platform that automatically detects malicious across the Internet, and distributes warnings to end users and even network administrators.

Through built-in protection for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, Google said it protects approximately 600 million Internet users and issues several million warnings each day to those users.

READ FULL ARTICLE

Thoughts on Changing Schools from "Today's Family Man"

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:13:00 +0000

By Gregory Keer
Benjamin loved his school. He loved his teachers, friends, math challenges, science lab, and reading groups. He loved soccer at PE and student council with the older kids.

So, we ripped him from everything he loved to put him elsewhere for third grade.

We struggled to avoid this decision for years, especially because Benjamin was thriving in his small private school, with the nurturing community and attentive administration. In the spring, though, a tuition increase emphasized that we were running far into the red.

We worried that if we stayed on the private school path, trying to make things equal for our second and third children, we faced a debilitating financial commitment before we even got to middle school.

Then we thought about how, in the last few years, we took on extra projects that made us more cash but squeezed our family time. Anchoring ourselves to steep school expenses, despite the nobility of sacrificing for our children’s education, could make us miserable.

As all of this weighed on us, we received news that Benjamin had been accepted to a public magnet school that we applied to as a backup. The school was known for being smaller than most and was rated one of the best in the city.

Still, conflicting feelings plagued us for weeks. Public education offered Benjamin exposure to an even greater diversity of learning opportunities and people. But we teetered when we met with the head of the private school, who showed tremendous warmth as she gave us every possible reason to stay.

Wendy and I bent the ears of friends and spent late nights making checklists. We didn’t want to screw up our seemingly well-adjusted child because of this one decision.

The deal breaker came from Benjamin himself. A while back, I asked him what he thought of possibly changing his academic scenery, and he burst into tears, wondering, “Will I ever see my friends again?”

This time, with the decision actually on the line, we took him to see the new school. We drove to the campus, nestled in a canyon, surrounded by nice houses and old trees. He saw it was small, like his current school, and that it had a playground.

“There’s no grass on the yard,” he grumbled.

“Mommy and Daddy grew up without grass on the yard,” I offered.

READ FULL ARTICLE

Senate Passes Bill to Prevent Cyberbullying

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Posted by Majority Press on Monday, June 18th, 2012

Related issues: Children, Education, Youth

_________________________________________

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie), that would provide further protections and procedures for students who are bullied or cyberbullied. The legislation clarifies and expands the Dignity for All Students Act, an anti-cyberbullying law enacted in 2010 and creates guidelines for local school districts to develop policies and procedures to address the problem.

“This legislation provides school districts with the tools they need to address bullying and cyberbullying to help ensure that the school environment is safe for all students,” Senator Saland said

This comprehensive measure includes within the definitions of bullying and cyberbullying verbal and non-verbal actions, whether on or off school property, which create a risk of substantial disruption of the school environment.

Reports indicate that more than 7 million students from ages 12-18 were bullied at school and with the onslaught of technological advances in recent decades, more than 1.5 million students say they were cyberbullied on or off school property.

“Students today live in a cyber-world – it’s how most choose to communicate. It’s also how many are cyberbullied -- whether through messaging, emails or social networking sites, it’s difficult for victims to escape the 24/7 exposure to threats, bullying or discrimination,” said Senator Saland. “With this new law, when cyberbullying impedes a student’s ability to learn, victims and their parents will now have the ability to report the incidents to school districts to investigate. This is a critically needed step toward ensuring a safe school environment.”

“High tech devices for communication and education are being used by young people to bully, harass and intimidate other students,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said. “I applaud the work of Senator Saland, as well as Senator Ranzenhofer for effectively addressing a very complex problem and helping schools maintain a safe learning environment.”

Senator Michael Ranzenhofer said: "Cyber-bullying is a very serious issue, and something must be done to prevent future tragedies. Cyber-bullying is a 21st century problem that is still being addressed with 20th century solutions, and this legislation takes the first steps in revising our approach to dealing with this issue in response to the advent of internet blogs and social media sites. This legislation will help to ensure our schools are a safe, bully-free environment.

The bill (S7740) will clarify the legal definitions of all forms of threats, intimidation and abuse (verbal and nonverbal); create new, clear definitions of cyberbullying; apply to all students, without limiting the law to students singled out because of race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability sexual orientation or gender; and recognizes that cyberbullying that takes place off school grounds still has a negative effect on the school environment and falls within the authority of the school to address.

The legislation also clarifies the 2010 law to help local school districts create policies, guidelines and procedures to promote an environment free from bullying and harassment by requiring:
> A school employee be designated to receive reports of harassment and bullying;
> Students and parents to make oral and written reports;
> School employees who witness acts to verbally notify the reporting designee no later than one school day after the incident; and make a written report no later than two school days after the incident;
> A thorough and equitable investigation of all reports;
> Prompt actions be taken to end the harassment or bullying, eliminate hostile environment, create a more positive school culture and climate, prevent recurrence, and ensure safety of the bullied/harassed student (for all verified acts of harassment and/or bullying);
>The prohibition of retaliation for reporting or assisting in the investigation;
>Regular reporting on data and trends related to harassment and bullying;
>Prompt reporting of harassment or bullying that constitutes criminal conduct;
>A copy of the school policy be on the website and annually provided to all employees, students and parents;
>Development of guidelines related to measured, balanced and age-appropriate responses to discrimination , harassment or bullying, as well as remedies and procedures following a progressive disciplinary model; and
>Training to address social patterns of bullying, and strategies for effectively addressing problems of discrimination, exclusion, bias and aggression in educational settings; and
>Amending the existing instruction in civility, citizenship and character education to include an emphasis on discouraging acts of harassment, bullying, and discrimination with a component on instruction of safe, responsible use of the internet and electronic communications.

“I thank the Governor for his leadership on this issue and Assemblyman O’Donnell for his advocacy. With the enactment of this important legislation, school districts will have the tools necessary to address all forms of bullying, as well as cyberbullying, whether initiated on or off school grounds if it’s affecting a child’s education,” said Senator Steve Saland. “Neither the public, nor the Legislature, can turn a blind eye to bullying. It’s debilitating, destructive, abusive, and at times, it can be fatal.”

Six Ways to Protect Your Latchkey Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:42:00 +0000

By Steve Cross, President, Guardian Software Inc.

As a parent, you’d probably rather not leave your kids home alone, but when both parents are working, there are times when it can’t be avoided. In a hectic household, work, school, extra-curricular activities, daycare, occasional babysitting problems, and the “unexpected” all conspire to upset schedules and make leaving the kids on their own the only option you’ve got. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to both protect your kids and give them guidance — even when you can’t be there.

Set clear-cut rules. Sit down with your kids, discuss the rules, and write them down. Post the rules in plain view. The written list will help forestall youthful memory lapses. If you don’t want them near the gas stove, write it down. If they need to leave the sharp kitchen knives and dad’s tools alone, write it down.
Talk to them. Review the rules occasionally to reinforce awareness and to engage your kids by getting their feedback. Also talk about personal security. Remind them to lock the doors. Make sure they know not to let anyone in when you’re not there, except people you have already approved.
Show them how to use 911. Make sure they understand when to use it, and make sure they know it’s not a joke.
If you have firearms in the house, place them in a gun safe, not under a mattress, in a cupboard, or in a closet. Install trigger locks. You have a legal, ethical, and moral responsibility to secure your firearms. The same applies to fireworks.

Talking to Your Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:37:00 +0000

By Martin Ledbetter

Talking to your kids, especially teens, can be frustrating and emotionally draining, but you know you’ve still got to do it. There are no pat solutions or formulas for success, and each encounter has its own unique “challenges.” Before you attempt your next adventure in cross-generational communication, consider the suggestions below — and good luck!

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane. Too many parents overlook one of the greatest resources they have for understanding their kids: the fact that they were kids once, too. Draw on your own experience, but don’t focus on superficial differences like “I had to walk a mile in the snow to get to school, and kids nowadays ride in SUVs.” Focus on the feelings you used to have, the priorities, the way you saw your world. Remember that most kids just aren’t that complex. Almost every issue they have comes down to social acceptance and it’s many offshoots: popularity, status, conformity to the current standards of appearance, relative independence of action (or at least the appearance of same), success with the opposite sex, etc. And, of course, everything is emotionally loaded and a matter of life-or-death. Rationality frequently loses out. If you can reconnect with that mindset, the limited set of perceptions that define your child’s world, communication will be much easier for you.

Keep it Real. No one can cut through BS like a teenager can. Don’t expect them to buy what you say just “because.” It won’t happen (see “Do Your Homework” below). If you come off like an advice columnist or a preacher, you lose. Try to talk to your child using the same tone of voice, the same natural cadence, and with the same feeling of interpersonal respect you’d use to talk to an adult friend. And, most importantly, be open, honest, and direct. They may still disagree with you, but you’ll be setting a tone that will make future conversations easier and less confrontational.

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Five Ways to Stop Cyberbullying

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:07:00 +0000

By Steve Cross

A man named Bill Belsey is generally credited with coining the term “Cyberbullying.” Here’s how he defines it on his web site (www.cyberbullying.org): “Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phone and page text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal web sites, and defamatory online personal polling web sites, to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others.”

Typically, a cyberbully uses threats, abuse, and profanity to intimidate your child on the Internet, much as a schoolyard bully would do in person during the school day, but with greater impunity. And cyberbullies don’t hesitate to target the fairer sex. According to a National Public Radio report on March 3, 2006, 30% of all girls have been bullied.

Now that bullies have moved indoors, using the Internet and e-mail as their tools of attack, the profile of the bully has been expanded. Even some girls are bullying others—boys and girls alike! Any child can be a victim of Internet bullying. In extreme instances, it can be fatal. Yes, there are actually cases of children who became so despondent from relentless cyberbullying that they have taken their own lives.

Here are five ways you can help stop cyberbullying:

Talk with your kids. Let them know they are not alone; you are there to help. Make sure they know they did nothing wrong. Some people are just bullies.

If your kids are being bullied, save all of the e-mails and text messages they have received. They will be useful for law enforcement and educators. ISPs and cell phone companies can use them to find and disconnect perpetrators.

If one of your kids is being bullied, report it to the police. Be persistent. Show them copies of the offending emails and text messages you’ve collected.

If you suspect cyberbullying, and your kids won’t talk with you about it, consider installing special software that will discretely monitor text, chat, IM, and e-mail correspondence, so you can look for signs of trouble.

If you discover that your child is guilty of cyberbullying other children, suspend Internet privileges immediately and take whatever other disciplinary action you feel is warranted. Remember that, as a parent, you have liability here, both ethical and legal.

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What Did You Learn in School Today?

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:05:00 +0000

Tips for Getting Your Kids to Talk about School

By Thomas Haller and Chick Moorman

“What did you learn in school today?”
“Nothing.”
“Anything interesting happen?”
“Nope.”
“Did you like it?”
“It was OK.”

Does getting your kids to offer information about school seem more difficult than pulling teeth? Do you ever feel like a lawyer cross examining your child in an attempt to find out what's really happening at school? Do you wish your child would volunteer more information about his educational experience so you wouldn't have to ask so often? If so, this article is for you.

Employ the following do's and don'ts to increase your child's willingness to share useful and important information about his school experience.

Don't play 20 questions. Ask a few questions each day and rotate them. No one likes being asked the same question every day. And no one likes being asked 20 questions on any one day. It feels like prying and gives the child one more reason to clam up. Scale back the number of questions you ask.

Do ask questions that require more than a one word response. “Did you have a good day today?” and “How did it go today?” require one word answers. If you ask that kind of question you do not encourage a lengthy response. The child can answer, “Yes,” and “Fine.” Instead, ask a question that requires some thought. “Tell me about the most interesting thing that happened to you today,” and “What surprised you about school today?” will usually generate more lengthy responses.

Do use the “Say some more” technique to encourage your child to expand on a brief answer. After a short response, use the phrase, “Say some more” to elicit further information. Say some more is invitational and sounds less like a question. “Please continue,” “Go on,” and “Keep going” are parent talk phrases that encourage the child to keep talking.

Don’t seem desperate. It gives them a sense of power to withhold from an adult something the adult appears to want so badly. When you come across as wanting information desperately you encourage the child to cling on to whatever it is she has that seems so valuable to you.

Do use your parenting network to glean school information. If you don’t have one, get one. Rely on the other parents in your child's classroom to provide you information. Remember, in a network, information flows both ways. So when you have useful information or hear a disturbing report contact the parents in your network. See what they know and share what you have learned.

Do encourage your child to invite friends over. Your child will talk more freely in the presence of peers. Ask occasional questions to the friend to show your interest. Often the friend will tell you more than your own child. In addition, you will often overhear your child and her friends talking about school. Be still and listen.

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Are your children protected from the thousands of websites with inappropriate and frightening content?

noreply@blogger.com (Guardian Software) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Here's a question recently posed by a concerned parent:

"My kids enjoy surfing the Web and discovering new sites. How can I make sure they don't stumble upon something inappropriate?"

The easiest solution is to sit next to them and monitor their every click, but that's not practical for most parents, nor necessary for any kids who won't go looking for trouble anyway. But, at the same time, the Internet's minimally regulated, anything-goes nature makes it the equivalent to the Wild West, with countless sites containing information kids just don't need exposure to. Given enough time, enough curiosity, or even enough bad typing (misspelled Internet addresses can lead to surprising places), your kids may well see something you don't want them to.

Guardian Software lets you monitor and control Internet activity even when you can't be there in person.

Now you can take control and make sure your children are protected. Just select the Guardian Software product designed for your computer or mobile device. Get the peace of mind that comes from being sure they're not at risk.