Kid Phone Advocate

Anna Faris Discusses Accidental Sexting Incident on Ellen

KidPhone Advocate — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:47:17 +0000

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

Her teen committed suicide over ‘sexting’

‘Sexting’ bullying cited in teen’s suicide

Sexting can label your teen a sex offender

Sexting a possible child-porn case

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 17^th.

What Does Digital Safety Mean In Your Home?

KidPhone Advocate — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:55:19 +0000

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?

Force Bullies To Leave Schools

KidPhone Advocate — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:51 +0000

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

Teachers okay to confiscate cellphones, read texts

KidPhone Advocate — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:00:41 +0000

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

Police: 80 Boys Fall Victim To ‘Sexting’ Scheme

KidPhone Advocate — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:29:49 +0000

PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. - The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating how 80 young boys were pressured to send nude photos of themselves to a 17-year-old Cookeville boy.

Detective Roger Cooper with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating how up to 80 young boys between the ages of 11 and 17 could have become involved in this, yet another sexting scheme. The texting could date back as far as 2008.

To Read The Full Article Go To: http://bit.ly/fiRk2a

Police checking alleged sexting of teacher to student

KidPhone Advocate — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:15:53 +0000

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

Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Resources

KidPhone Advocate — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:03:56 +0000

Download an easy to read resource full of information regarding how teens use the Internet and Cyberbullying tips for parents

Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Resources

Another Sexting Scandal Involving Teens

KidPhone Advocate — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:50:42 +0000

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?

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

Parents Should Learn About Sexting

KidPhone Advocate — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:36:28 +0000

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

Teacher, coach accused of ‘sexting’ minors

KidPhone Advocate — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:19:29 +0000

Another adult is being accused of accused of sending sexually inappropriate text messages to students. The article reads that this soccer and basketball coach had been texting and emailing the student for more than 2 years, and the report says it recently turned more explicit. Allegedly a second female student became involved with the coach/teacher just a few months ago. Unfortunately there are too many headlines like this, but how many do you think go unreported?

If you as the parents could have used technology to help identify this type of activity in the beginning – would you use it? That’s what KidPhone Advocate is all about – helping protect our children and youth in a digital world.

http://bit.ly/Channel10NBC

http://bit.ly/WPRINews