While I was at the Kids Online conference recently, HighlightsParents.com released the results of a survey commissioned to determine the number of parents who speak with their kids about online safety.
More than 500 parents responded to the online poll, and some of the answers were very surprising to me. While a heartening 77% of parents reported having spoken with their children about staying safe online, it was discouraging to me that 75% of parents also indicated their kids access the Internet without supervision.
A parent recently confided in me that she’d discovered her 10-year-old on Facebook. Although her daughter had been savvy enough not to reveal her last name, hometown or other personal information, this parent was still aghast that her daughter had been able to set up the account without her noticing. Although they’d discussed online safety in the past, today that parent is monitoring all Internet use.
As parents, of course it’s important to speak with our children about staying safe. But that one conversation isn’t enough. We taught them how to walk, tie their shoes and ride their bikes, and none of those things were learned in a single afternoon. We owe it to our kids to monitor their online usage and to keep talking with them to keep them safe.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Kids Online Conference
Last week, I was excited to be part of the first-ever Kids Online: Balancing Safety and Fun "unconference" at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. http://wiki.idcommons.net/Kids_Online . It came on the heels of the 7th Internet Identity Workshop, and both conferences were organized by Identity Commons, which addresses the many identity and privacy issues encountered online.
The day brought together many leaders of online services for children up to age 12. It combined small-group and full-group discussion of how companies like New Moon can improve children's online safety. This hit home for me as our online practices and guidelines at NewMoonGirls.com are specifically designed to maintain a safe and fun environment for girls 8-12. I learned that our moderation practices meet the highest standard of safety which sure felt good. I also learned that the cost of moderation is high for sites that do it well and that there are many pressures to shortcut the moderation. All the companies also discussed ways to generate revenue (to cover the cost of moderation) without exploiting children by allowing advertising. It's a challenge, that's for sure!
But what about spaces like Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, which say they are only for consumers age 13+ (wink, wink), but which our kids are eager to join? Is it possible to keep our kids safe there? So far, the consensus is no. But, we talked about solutions for this and other questions throughout the day. Even better, we're going to regroup monthly to plan additional meetings with one another, as well as organize online safety conferences for parents and kids.
I came away hopeful that this meeting will lead to continuing improvement of online safety for our kids. The Internet changes every day, and it’s essential we always be looking for the next way to protect our kids.
The day brought together many leaders of online services for children up to age 12. It combined small-group and full-group discussion of how companies like New Moon can improve children's online safety. This hit home for me as our online practices and guidelines at NewMoonGirls.com are specifically designed to maintain a safe and fun environment for girls 8-12. I learned that our moderation practices meet the highest standard of safety which sure felt good. I also learned that the cost of moderation is high for sites that do it well and that there are many pressures to shortcut the moderation. All the companies also discussed ways to generate revenue (to cover the cost of moderation) without exploiting children by allowing advertising. It's a challenge, that's for sure!
But what about spaces like Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, which say they are only for consumers age 13+ (wink, wink), but which our kids are eager to join? Is it possible to keep our kids safe there? So far, the consensus is no. But, we talked about solutions for this and other questions throughout the day. Even better, we're going to regroup monthly to plan additional meetings with one another, as well as organize online safety conferences for parents and kids.
I came away hopeful that this meeting will lead to continuing improvement of online safety for our kids. The Internet changes every day, and it’s essential we always be looking for the next way to protect our kids.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Today's Launch of the New Online Community NewMoonGirls.com
I am thrilled to share some very exciting news today. This morning, we launched http://www.newmoongirls.com/ our new online community for girls ages 8-12. After fifteen years of encouraging girls to be writers and editors at New Moon Girls magazine, we’re delighted to provide girls with a second forum, this one online, where they can create content, explore the community and support one another.
As we celebrated the launch this morning, it brought back memories of the beginning of New Moon, when I was eager to create a magazine that would give my twelve-year-old twin daughters the opportunity to express and feel great about themselves. From the beginning, our entire purpose for being has been to help girls reach their full potential by challenging them to create, explore, and connect with each other.
As we celebrated the launch this morning, it brought back memories of the beginning of New Moon, when I was eager to create a magazine that would give my twelve-year-old twin daughters the opportunity to express and feel great about themselves. From the beginning, our entire purpose for being has been to help girls reach their full potential by challenging them to create, explore, and connect with each other.
Today, for the first time, we’re truly able to reach every girl around the world and provide a safe, secure place for her to grow.
It is with heartfelt thanks for fifteen wonderful years that I say to every New Moon Girl, and New Moon parent, past and present – come join us online, too! click below for a short video tour of the site so you can see how it works. And please let me know what you think!
It is with heartfelt thanks for fifteen wonderful years that I say to every New Moon Girl, and New Moon parent, past and present – come join us online, too! click below for a short video tour of the site so you can see how it works. And please let me know what you think!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
MTV's Model Maker Ends Before It Begins
After this week’s news that Libby Lu is being shut down, I was contacted by a sister Mom of daughters, whose girls are 15 and 17, to let me know about the end of another venture: MTV’s Model Maker. http://www.mtvmodelmaker.com/
The casting call for Model Maker began in April, and the goal of the show was to film women pursuing the chance to become a fashion runway model. The catch: all models who joined the show had to be ready to lose up to 30 lbs. And the tagline? “Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don’t.”
Although it’s disheartening that physical beauty continues to be paramount on television, there’s a silver lining to this story. Darryl Roberts at Huffington Post reported that public outcry from individuals and organizations put an end to the filming of Model Maker, and there are now no plans to release this show. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darryl-roberts/mtv-decides-not-to-releas_b_136327.html
After a great week of examples of how grassroots efforts can make a difference on the political scene, I’m proud to know that individual activism can also put an end to harmful gender themes and portrayals on our TVs.
The casting call for Model Maker began in April, and the goal of the show was to film women pursuing the chance to become a fashion runway model. The catch: all models who joined the show had to be ready to lose up to 30 lbs. And the tagline? “Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don’t.”
Although it’s disheartening that physical beauty continues to be paramount on television, there’s a silver lining to this story. Darryl Roberts at Huffington Post reported that public outcry from individuals and organizations put an end to the filming of Model Maker, and there are now no plans to release this show. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darryl-roberts/mtv-decides-not-to-releas_b_136327.html
After a great week of examples of how grassroots efforts can make a difference on the political scene, I’m proud to know that individual activism can also put an end to harmful gender themes and portrayals on our TVs.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Club Libby Lu Bites the Dust
As a small business owner, I don't often applaud when a company goes out of business. A dream dies, people lose their jobs, and it's awful. But today's the exception.
Club Libby Lu, which specializes in selling makeovers to tween girls, is being shut down by its parent company, Saks. As my friend Lisa Ray of Parents for Ethical Marketing tweeted this morning, that's something to celebrate! This is a dream that deserves to rest in peace.
As Consumerist.com said:
Club Libby Lu, which specializes in selling makeovers to tween girls, is being shut down by its parent company, Saks. As my friend Lisa Ray of Parents for Ethical Marketing tweeted this morning, that's something to celebrate! This is a dream that deserves to rest in peace.
As Consumerist.com said:
"For $25-$40 girls could paint themselves with temporary tattoos, make bracelets
and get a "Club Libby Du." (We think that last thing is a hairstyle. At least,
we're hoping that it is.)"
But what truly made me happy they're closing was reading the company's mission on their website:
"At Club Libby Lu®, our mission is to create special memories by encouraging
tween girls to express their imaginations and individuality. Club Libby Lu
offers products and experiences that promote a unique shopping experience that
makes every girl feel special. Our staff (called Club Counselors), “Club”
environment and merchandise mix provide the ultimate girl experience. Girls join
the Club, where they become V.I.P.s (Very Important Princesses®) and enjoy a
fun, safe and special place where they can unlock their inner princess!™ "
Of course, I'm 150% in favor of encouraging girls to express their imaginations and individuality. That's why I founded New Moon in 1992. What bothers me about Club Libby Lu is how they equate shopping and makeovers with girls' "imaginations and individuality."
In fact, Club Libby Lu shopping and makeovers are not about imagination, self-expression or individuality. They are about conforming to someone else's idea of who you should be and how you should look. What Club Libby Lu really does is indoctrinate little girls into a culture of comparing themselves to others and striving to change themselves into someone else. Yuck.
I am very, very sorry for the people who will lose their jobs. But I'm not one bit sorry that girls won't have Club Libby Lu shaping their sense of who they are as they grow up.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Toeing the Party Line, Not
Like everyone else, my mind is on our new President-elect and the extraordinary grassroots and voting efforts that resulted in his victory during these challenging times. But I 'm also thinking about our children and how they grow into responsible, active citizens and voters.
In the days surrounding this monumental election, New Moon girls have been learning about voting through our “Mock Election,” where girls voted for a presidential candidate and learned more about important issues facing our country today.
At same time, in discussions with our Girls Editorial Board and girl writers, we’ve observed that the vast majority of our girls hold the political beliefs of their parents. Lior wrote about this for New Moon in Under the Influence.
So where does this leave us as parents? What do we need to teach our children about voting and the election process if our kids are just going to vote like us anyway? Over at Struggling Teens , Rose Mulligan writes that parents must help their children understand politicians in terms of character and achievement, rather than simply toeing the party line. How do you do this with your children during the campaign season and beyond? I'd love to hear about it.
In our Mock Election, we’ve been impressed by how much New Moon girls know about the individual candidates and their stances on issues in this election. And as we move forward, let's remember to keep teaching our girls how important it is to elect our politicians based on knowledge of their viewpoints and goals.
In the days surrounding this monumental election, New Moon girls have been learning about voting through our “Mock Election,” where girls voted for a presidential candidate and learned more about important issues facing our country today.
At same time, in discussions with our Girls Editorial Board and girl writers, we’ve observed that the vast majority of our girls hold the political beliefs of their parents. Lior wrote about this for New Moon in Under the Influence.
So where does this leave us as parents? What do we need to teach our children about voting and the election process if our kids are just going to vote like us anyway? Over at Struggling Teens , Rose Mulligan writes that parents must help their children understand politicians in terms of character and achievement, rather than simply toeing the party line. How do you do this with your children during the campaign season and beyond? I'd love to hear about it.
In our Mock Election, we’ve been impressed by how much New Moon girls know about the individual candidates and their stances on issues in this election. And as we move forward, let's remember to keep teaching our girls how important it is to elect our politicians based on knowledge of their viewpoints and goals.
Who Can Be President?
As our nation celebrates the election of our first African-American President, I'm very aware of the deep symbolism this historic event holds. Senator McCain and President Bush, among many others, acknowledged the importance of seeing the highest African-American glass ceiling shattered. It's important to adults, but even more important to children.
Children see the entire world through the lens of their individual experiences. Now that Barack Obama will be Mr. President, kids will quickly see that as "normal." There's nothing like reality to change a child's worldview. How wonderful!
A recent message from our friends at The White House Project explains further:
Yes, yes, yes! I don't think the gender glass ceiling will be shattered until we have a woman elected president. If we want girls and boys to truly know that women can be presidents, we will need to elect one. Fittingly, as Malia and Sasha get ready to move into the White House with their parents, there's all the more reason to redouble our efforts to get women into the pipeline to the presidency and help all Americans think of a woman president as "normal."
Children see the entire world through the lens of their individual experiences. Now that Barack Obama will be Mr. President, kids will quickly see that as "normal." There's nothing like reality to change a child's worldview. How wonderful!
A recent message from our friends at The White House Project explains further:
With so many glass ceilings shattered, we take for granted that little
girls know they can grow up to be whatever they want. But according to a new
study, one in four children believes it is illegal for women and minorities to
hold the office of president. And one in three attribute the lack of female,
African-American and Latino presidents to racial and gender bias among voters.
The same study also found that girls who attributed the lack of female
presidents to discrimination were more likely to report that they could not
really become president, even if they were interested in doing so. "[Children]
have seen [the Presidents] all over the media, on posters, in classroom history
books," said author of the study Rebecca
Bigler in an interview, "yet no one ever explains to them why they have all
been white men. There is never a conversation about that so children start to
come up with their own explanations."
Today is the perfect time to start that conversation with the girl in your
life. The 2008 election has the potential to significantly alter children's
views and presents an excellent opportunity for parents to educate their
children on gender and racial discrimination as well.
Yes, yes, yes! I don't think the gender glass ceiling will be shattered until we have a woman elected president. If we want girls and boys to truly know that women can be presidents, we will need to elect one. Fittingly, as Malia and Sasha get ready to move into the White House with their parents, there's all the more reason to redouble our efforts to get women into the pipeline to the presidency and help all Americans think of a woman president as "normal."
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