GuardingKids.com

Roblox Introduces New Age-Based Accounts and Expanded Parental Controls for Users Under 16

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Roblox is rolling out some big changes to keep younger players safer! Starting in June, they’re introducing new age-based accounts: Roblox Kids for ages 5–8 and Roblox Select for ages 9–15. These accounts will automatically limit content to age-appropriate games and set stricter communication defaults. Parents are also getting more granular controls, including the ability to approve specific games or block others entirely. It’s a major step toward making the platform a better environment for families and younger creators alike. Check out the full update from Roblox CEO David Baszucki

here

Bullying and Cyberbullying Offending Among US Youth: The Influence of Six Parenting Dimensions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:29:00 +0000

Abstract

Bullying and cyberbullying prevention remain a major priority for schools, communities, and families, and research is clear that positive, constructive parenting practices can play a key preventive role. The current work explores six dimensions of parenting (warmth, structure, autonomy support, rejection, chaos, and coercion), and their specific relationship to school and online bullying. Using survey data from a nationally representative sample of 1474 English-speaking 12- to 17-year-old US youth, we found that students whose parent(s) exhibit warmth, structure, and autonomy support are less likely to have engaged in bullying or cyberbullying offending, while those with parental relations marked by rejection, chaos, and coercion are more likely to have participated in both forms of peer aggression. Implications for developing stronger parent-child relationships through improved parenting practices as a mechanism for bullying prevention are discussed.

Highlights

Approximately 21% of US youth have bullied someone else at school in at least one or more ways in the last 30 days.
Approximately 5% of US youth have bullied someone else online in at least one or more ways in the last 30 days.
Positive parenting in the form of warmth, structure, and autonomy/support were linked to lower bullying and cyberbullying.
Negative parenting in the form of rejection, chaos, and coercion were associated with higher levels of bullying and cyberbullying.
Parental influence has a stronger impact on cyberbullying as compared to traditional bullying.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Offending Among US Youth: The Influence of Six Parenting Dimensions | Journal of Child and Family Studies | Springer Nature Link https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-021-02208-7

Vicarious supervision: Preventing cyberbullying through positive parent-child relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:14:00 +0000

Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2026). Vicarious supervision: Preventing cyberbullying through positive parent-child relationships. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 102140.

Abstract

As youth face various Internet-based risks while interacting online, parents need theoretically grounded, evidence-based insights on strategies to prevent their child(ren) from participating in inappropriate behaviors. An approach that can facilitate better decision-making online, rooted in social bond and attachment theory, is a concept we term vicarious supervision. This perspective emphasizes the parent-child relationships in the prevention of online misbehaviors. In particular, we argue that youth who are strongly attached to their parents will be more likely to believe that their parents know what they are doing online and as a result be less likely to misbehave online. Using a nationally-representative sample of 2500 middle and high school students between the ages of 12- and 17-years-old in the United States, we examined whether those who: (1) were strongly attached to their parents, (2) perceived their parents as knowing what they are doing online, and (3) considered how their parents would feel about their online activities, would be less likely to participate in cyberbullying. Results indicated that positive parent-child attachment did reduce a child's likelihood of participating in cyberbullying. Moreover, children who considered how their parents would feel about their online behaviors were less likely to cyberbully others. Implications for cyberbullying prevention and future research on these parent relationship concepts are discussed.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359178926000157

Safer Internet Day from ConnectSafely

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:42:00 +0000

Safer Internet Day aims to not only create a safer internet but also a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.

Safer Internet Day | Safer Internet Day USA https://safer.connectsafely.org/

Teach Digital Citizenship: Free lessons and activities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:13:00 +0000

Teach Digital Citizenship: Free lessons and activities that help students build essential digital habits and skills.

https://www.commonsense.org/education?lid=q88wpo0ec9dz

Kindness 101 with Steve Hartman Web Series

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:39:00 +0000

Kindness 101 with Steve Hartman Web Series | CBS Evening News - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLotzEBRQdc0f3PrQlYhNyDjIHF8bhOlpn

Poll shows most teens oppose classroom cellphone bans | K-12 Dive

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:41:00 +0000

Poll shows most teens oppose classroom cellphone bans | K-12 Dive

About 38 states have laws or policies on K-12 classroom or school cellphone usage, according to Ballotpedia. About 29 states have policies banning or limiting cellphones in classrooms.

https://www.k12dive.com/news/most-teens-oppose-classroom-school-cellphone-bans/809624/

The power of productive struggle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:54:00 +0000

This flyer from the Brookings Institution provides parents and caregivers with practical strategies to help children aged 10–14 develop resilience and persistence when using generative AI tools. It emphasizes that while AI can offer quick answers, it often leads to “easy button” thinking that can undermine a child’s willingness to work through difficult problems. To counter this, the guide encourages families to set goals for AI use, treat AI mistakes as learning opportunities, and celebrate the process of learning rather than just the final output.

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brookings_Persistence-Through-Challenges-A_Flyer_DIGITAL.pdf

YouTube is adding new parental controls

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:05:00 +0000

YouTube is adding new parental controls that let you set daily time limits or block access entirely for kids watching Shorts on supervised accounts.

YouTube Safety Update: New Parental Controls for Teens - YouTube Blog
https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/updates-youtube-supervised-accounts-teens/

The rise of deepfake cyberbullying

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:16:00 +0000

The rise of deepfake cyberbullying poses a growing problem for schools - ABC News
Schools are facing a growing problem of students using artificial intelligence to transform innocent images of classmates into sexually explicit deepfakes. The fallout from the spread of the manipulated photos and videos can create a nightmare for the victims.

The challenge for schools was highlighted this fall when AI-generated nude images swept through a Louisiana middle school. Two boys ultimately were charged, but not before one of the victims was expelled for starting a fight with a boy she accused of creating the images of her and her friends.

Common Sense Media: The 2025 Rewind

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:04:00 +0000

This year, parents came to Common Sense Media looking for something more than just “good movies for kids” or “age-appropriate content.” You were searching for stories that teach integrity. Movies that model empathy. Shows that demonstrate what good teamwork really looks like.

Best Family Movies, Shows & Books of 2025 | Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/best-of-2025

OpenAI’s Teen Safety Blueprint, and What AI Platforms Should Do Next

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 22:57:00 +0000

Read the full article:

OpenAI’s Teen Safety Blueprint, and What AI Platforms Should Do Next -
https://cyberbullying.org/open-ai-teen-safety-blueprint-takeaways

Australian social media ban aims to 'save teens from predatory algorithms'.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0000

Australia is implementing a new law to prevent children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, with enforcement beginning on December 10, 2025. The government's Communications Minister, Anika Wells, has been a leading advocate for the legislation, arguing it will protect young people from the harmful content and addictive algorithms found on social media platforms.

Australian social media ban aims to 'save teens from predatory algorithms'. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Gdsfz_te1Q4

More information here: Communications Minister Anika Wells speaks about the social media ban at Press Club | ABC NEWS - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCZAZy9jO4

What's Happening in Boys' Digital Worlds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 16:25:00 +0000

A new study from Common Sense Media just dropped some eye-opening findings about how adolescent boys are navigating masculinity online. As a researcher and a parent of two adolescent boys, I have a personal stake in helping boys understand that there are multiple ways to be a man, not just a narrow version promoted in social media feeds and gaming communities. Some of the findings about what's happening with boys in digital spaces confirmed my own observations, and others surprised me. But it all has implications for your classroom too, where you may see impacts from a wide range of influencers.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/boys-in-the-digital-wild-online-culture-identity-and-well-being

Digital Citizenship Week is October 20–24, 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:15:00 +0000

Digital Citizenship Week | Common Sense Education

Each year during the third full week of October, Common Sense Media leads Digital Citizenship Week, an annual campaign to promote a healthy, balanced, and positive approach to media and tech use among young people.

https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship-week?lid=xnrtg83sig0m

Movies with Positive Role Models for Boys | Common Sense Media

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:42:00 +0000

Boys deserve more from their movies than narrow or biased representations. These films offer examples of kindness, compassion, selflessness, courage, and sensitivity—all things that are good for everyone to see, but especially for boys, who too often are bombarded with messages that prioritize the importance of being protectors, extremely fit, and financially successful. Inspire the kids in your life with these fun, family-friendly films that portray healthy masculinity. For other worthy role models, try these TV shows and books.

Movies with Positive Role Models for Boys | Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/movies-with-positive-role-models-for-boys

How Parents Manage Screen Time for Kids | Pew Research Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 12:59:00 +0000

From YouTube to smartphones to tablets, tech is part of kids’ lives. AI chatbots are part of the mix now, too. While parents strive to manage screens, 42% say they could do better

ByColleen McClain,Olivia Sidoti,Michelle FaverioandSuvi Lama

This Pew Research Center report, "How Parents Manage Screen Time for Kids," surveyed over 3,000 U.S. parents of children ages 12 and younger about their efforts to balance the benefits and challenges of technology in their kids' lives. Essentially, the report highlights that screens are an unavoidable part of modern childhood, leading to parental struggles to find balance, a strong desire for external regulation, and a sense that they're doing their best, even if they could improve.

Read the full article:

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/10/08/how-parents-manage-screen-time-for-kids/

Lessons to Teach Media Literacy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0000

How2Internet | Be MediaWise—Lessons to Teach Media Literacy | PBS LearningMedia

https://florida.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/be-mediawise-news-literacy-lesson-plans/t/how2internet/

What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:28:00 +0000

Main idea: Giving children more freedom to play unsupervised with friends is essential to decreasing their smartphone dependence and improving their overall learning and well-being.

One Way Parents Can Fight the Phone-Based Childhood - The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/kids-smartphones-play-freedom/683742/

The role of hope in bullying and cyberbullying prevention

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 22:10:00 +0000

The role of hope in bullying and cyberbullying prevention

Introduction: Research is clear that the cognitive-motivational internal asset of hope is significantly related to enhanced life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing. It has also shown promise in preventing participation in a variety of negative externalizing behaviors, especially antisociality, maladaptive coping, and various forms of aggression among young people. The current exploration evaluates the relationship between hope and youth participation in bullying and cyberbullying.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1576372/full

Online Child Exploitation Prevention Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:38:00 +0000

The Online Child Exploitation Prevention Initiative (OCEPI) has created Ten Best Practices for Prevention Programs, an easy guide to optimize the effectiveness of online safety engagement efforts by providing a quick reference guide that outlines evidence-based techniques, created for any front-line professional working with children and families to help ensure a child’s safety online. The goal of this Best Practices document is to share what researchers know about prevention with those who do the work, with an aim to provide consistent messaging which supports effective prevention and victim response.

https://www.icactaskforce.org/OCEPI

Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:40:00 +0000

72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 14:18:00 +0000

A June 2024 Pew Research Center report highlights growing concerns over smartphone use in schools, especially among high school teachers.

13 ways gaming affects your mental health

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:10:00 +0000

Gaming is a double edged sword when it comes to mental health. An OII study outlines 13 distinct ways gameplay can boost wellbeing, yet also spiral into obsession, financial strain, loneliness, and even exposure to sexualised content. Read the full article on how gaming affects mental health, for better and worse.

AngelQ - A Kid-First Super Browser

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:20:00 +0000

AngelQ - A Kid-First Super Browser

Bring your child’s interests to life with voice-activated Q+A. AngelQ delivers personalized, age-appropriate, engaging content with compelling images and videos.

https://www.angelq.ai/