Starting this summer, there will be new rules in place designed to protect child privacy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is behind the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) - the law that requires web sites to get parents' permission before collecting personal data about children under the age of 13. New updates are currently scheduled to go into effect July 1.

According to the FTC, the goal is to place parents in control over what information is collected from their young children online.

COPPA applies to commercial websites and online services (including mobile apps) that collect, use or disclose personal information from children.

COPPA requires these operators to:

• Post a clear and comprehensive online privacy policy describing their information practices for personal information collected online from children;
• Provide direct notice to parents and obtain verifiable parental consent, with limited exceptions, before collecting personal information online from children;
• Give parents the choice of consenting to the operator’s collection and internal use of a child’s information, but prohibiting the operator from disclosing that information to third parties (unless disclosure is integral to the site or service, in which case, this must be made clear to parents);
• Provide parents access to their child’s personal information to review and/or have the information deleted;
• Give parents the opportunity to prevent further use or online collection of a child’s personal information;
• Maintain the confidentiality, security, and integrity of information they collect from children, including by taking reasonable steps to release such information only to parties capable of maintaining its confidentiality and security; and
• Retain personal information collected online from a child for only as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected and delete the information using reasonable measures to protect against its unauthorized access or use.

You can read more about amendments to The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act here.

It’s important for parents to understand that COPPA isn't focused on online safety. A site that is in compliance may still not be safe or appropriate for young children. It also doesn't prevent children from lying about their age. Sites and apps not geared toward children are not required to ask people their age - thus, parents should not be lured into a false sense of security.

This switch in communication can be attributed to a number of reasons. For starters, it’s clear that texting is hugely popular among teens. A recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project indicates that teens send on average 60 text messages per day. Another significant reason is that it allows the opportunity to address a problem or private feelings without the danger of somebody around them hearing the conversation.

A recent article on this topic revealed that organizations like the National Dating Abuse Helpline began to offer text communication in 2011 in addition to the phone and computer-based chat it had already been offering the public. That organization reports that texting now accounts for 20 percent of their operation.

Efforts are now in place by the youth nonprofit organization Do Something to establish a 24/7 national text number that can be used by teens who need support and help and may not otherwise seek it out by phone or computer based chat. The hope is that it will become a teen’s version of “911” -- a way to reach out to others if they find themselves dealing with any of the serious issues facing kids today, such as bullying, suicide, drugs, etc.

Some experts believe that ultimately the phone is the best form of communication in a crisis hotline forum, in order to be able to have extended dialogue with someone in need of advice and guidance. Although texting may seem limiting in some ways, if teens are most comfortable using their fingers to type their thoughts and feelings, it makes sense to get the conversation started by putting the power of texting into their hands.

While smartphones have GPS location capabilities to help provide directions, it’s important to realize the phone’s camera is equipped with the same specialized location hardware. For many teens, taking a photo and immediately posting it on Facebook or Instagram is the norm.  However, if their phone’s privacy features are not enabled, they’re potentially making the time and place of the photo available to anyone.

Although GPS can be a very helpful feature on a phone, protecting your teen by turning off the GPS capability (or only leaving it enabled for applications like maps) to prevent their activities and whereabouts from becoming public knowledge and falling into the wrong hands, outweighs its benefits.

Most geo-location services are turned on by default so it’s important to take the time to check your teen’s phone to make sure it’s in off mode. It’s also important to note that software updates periodically take place on smartphones. These updates could potentially turn the GPS back on so be sure to check every so often to make sure it remains off.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please share in the comments section below.

With spring break around the corner, it's time for parents to pay special attention to the social activity of their kids and teenagers to help them protect their online reputations. Children often spend more time online during vacations and college students may take special trips.

Experts agree that a child's online image is important for applying to college or landing a first job. A teen's digital footprint can be everlasting. That's why it's important to encourage children to pay attention to what they are posting when it comes to social networking sites. Spring break vacations can be a time when teens let their guard down and go down a dangerous digital path.

Parents should also pay extra attention to their teen's social networking profiles. Here are some key tips to discuss as a family:

• Keep Information Private - Children need to know what not to share on social networking sites. Phone numbers, addresses and other similar personal information should never be shared on Facebook or other sites where the general public may be able to view it.
• Don't Over Share Details - Remind your teenager to not be an open book online. Posting details of where and when they'll be at any given time creates the risk of getting unwanted attention from potential predators or strangers. Your teenager may want to share their fun plans with friends and family, but the rest of the world doesn't need to know their every step from sites like Facebook Places or Foursquare. Encourage them to adjust their privacy settings so they aren't revealing too much personal information and their whereabouts.
• To Post or Not to Post - Have a discussion with your child about what's appropriate and what they should probably avoid capturing on camera. Remember to tell them that inappropriate photos or videos, once posted online, can damage a reputation forever.
• Monitor Social Channels - Pay attention to your child's pages while they are on vacation. If you see potentially damaging or risqué photos or status updates, try to contact them and address the issue right away. Embarrassing or inappropriate postings or photos can cost them a job or affect their college application process.
• Carry Cell Phone – Carrying a cell phone while on vacation is a must for teens. Make sure he or she carries it at all times and has all emergency numbers entered. If your child is traveling internationally, make sure he or she knows beforehand how to dial out of the country. You don't want them in an emergency situation trying to figure out how to get help.
• Encourage Photo Sharing With You - Have your teen send you photos along the way! They can text or email you a photo so you can follow along with their plans as they go. This helps keep track of their activities and lets you enjoy the fun break with them.

Here's to a safe spring break!

A firestorm of debate broke out recently over an Instagram photo of a 3-year-old eating ice cream while taking a bath. The blogger was heavily criticized for publicly sharing a nude photo of her child to her 25,000 followers.

This month, Time Magazine's parenting writer, Carolyn Jones, dove into the issue of parents "oversharing" online and invading their children’s online privacy. Ken Chaplin, Senior Vice President of Experian's SafetyWeb was interviewed for the piece.

Chaplin said "There’s a longevity to this information and while teens are most often responsible for bullying their own cyber-reps, unwise parents can play a role too."

Are you guilty of oversharing?

According to the Pew Research Center, 69% of online adults use social networking sites. Think about how often you see photos and posts about your friends and their children. You too might often post about your child's accomplishments, or bad habits.

Can these posts really hurt?

Experts say oversharing can damage a child's pride and reputation and wreak havoc on a teen's social life as a child's digital legacy can go well beyond that initial post. Many college admissions officers have also admitted to regularly researching potential candidates online.

And oversharing can be even more serious than that. The Federal Trade Commission reports that identity theft has topped the list of national consumer complaints for the 13^th year in a row.

Back to the blogger with her child's nude photo, she ended up pulling the picture because of the controversy. The Today Show conducted a poll on the issue. 86% of respondents felt it was not okay to share naked photos of children online. 14% said it's fine and all in good fun.

Bottom line, before you post anything about your child in a public place, take a moment to think about who might see it and the possible ramifications. Then decide if privacy is more important.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please share in the comments section below.

In its 10^th year, it will take place this year on February 5^th with the theme of “Online Rights and Responsibilities,” encouraging users to “Connect with Respect.”

Started as an initiative of the European Union Safe Borders Project and later taken up by the Insafe Network, SID has grown to now be celebrated in more than 90 countries worldwide across six continents.

The U.S.A. Safer Internet Committee led by e-safety education solutions organization, i-Safe has posted their Bill of Education and Empowerment Rights/Responsibility for Students (as featured below) to help kids understand basic guidelines to follow and uphold when it comes to sharing the online community and coexisting with other citizens around the world in a responsible and respectful manner.

• Right to access the Internet. Empowerment responsibility to follow parental/school guidelines for appropriate use and time restrictions.
• Right to an open Internet. Empowerment responsibility to respond appropriately to uncomfortable, even dangerous situations.
• Right to use online information, files, media. Empowerment responsibility to “borrow” legally – not “steal.”
• Right to publish text, digital media. Empowerment responsibility to post ethically.
• Right to make friends and socialize. Empowerment responsibility to differentiate between online and real-world friends.
• Right to privacy. Empowerment responsibility to use secure passwords and privacy settings.
• Right to anonymity. Empowerment responsibility to use safe screen names and avatars.
• Right to be treated respectfully. Empowerment responsibility to treat others the same.
• Right to a bully-free Internet. Empowerment responsibility to stand up for victims of cyber -bullying.
• Right to comprehensive, standardized, classroom-based, empowering, e-Safety education.

More information about Safer Internet Day 2013 and how individuals, schools, communities and companies can get involved can be found at www.SaferInternetDay.org.

Many parents gave their children iPads, cell phones and computers this past holiday season.

Hopefully, along with these gifts of advanced technology, those lucky teenagers were also given good guidelines on being safe online. Keeping children safe is top priority for parents and it's important that parents stay diligent at keeping a close eye on their child's internet and phone activities as part of that process. But sometimes parents overlook something. What if their child isn't the victim, but instead the problem?

According to cyberbullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation, over half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying. These days, many law enforcement officers are reporting a new problem - cybershaming. That's when teens post pictures of each other accompanied by derogatory comments.

As we kick off the new year, we thought it would be a good time to give parents some guidelines and reminders to make sure their child isn't a victim - or a bully!

First and foremost, what should you do if your child is bullied by cell phone or in cyberspace?

Maintain an open door policy. Kids are often too scared to report bullying incidents. They may feel embarrassed, frightened and even guilty that they did something wrong. Some kids fear that telling their parents will result in their cell phone and Internet privileges being taken away.

Ask questions. Find out if your child believes he or she is in actual physical danger. If a real threat has been made or there was already an assault, contact the school district and your local authorities immediately.

Never retaliate. Responding to a cyberbully is not recommended, as it can sometimes create more friction and increase the harassing incidents. Encourage your child to avoid retaliation whenever possible.

Know your school’s policies. Most schools are mandated by the state to have policies on bullying, harassment and violence. Find out what your school’s policies are and hold them accountable for enforcing the rules.

Monitor communications. Learn who your child is communicating with both online and via cell phone. The easiest way of doing this is by using an internet monitoring product (like SafetyWeb). Watch closely for warning signs that cyberbullying is continuing or becoming more frequent.

It's also important to help make sure your child isn’t the one engaging in inappropriate behavior.

Pay attention to how your child talks about his or her classmates.

Watch how your child treats others.

It's valuable to monitor your child’s e-communications and pay attention to their activity on Facebook and other popular websites. Do you like your child's friends? Does your child run with a tough crowd? Do other children keep their distance?

Experts say teens often engage in cyberbullying without realizing it. Hurtful comments among friends can quickly escalate. Have a talk with your teenager about the power of words - and treating others like they would like to be treated. It's also a good time to make sure they know your rules and expectations and the consequences of using technology the wrong way.

Here’s to a tech happy and safe new year!

The numbers keep growing. More and more teenagers are not just armed with a mobile phone, but a Smartphone. It’s estimated that close to a quarter of children between 14 and 17 years old already have one according to a recent report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. While Smartphones are amazing devices that provide access to the world through voice, text and the internet, there are dangers to safeguard your teen (and yourself) against before officially handing one over to them.

App website, Appolicious recently shared the following important tips that are worth sharing here with you:

Make It Clear That “Check-In” Services Are Limited to Only You and a Close Group of Friends:

Thanks to Facebook and Four Square, it’s possible for any of us to share where we are at any given time through these and other social media sites. On the surface, it may look like a fun way for your teen to let friends and family know what they’re up to but it also can open up the door to strangers having access to this information as well. Although there are ways to restrict who sees status and location updates, the foolproof way to avoid anyone being able to monitor your teen’s whereabouts is to insist that your child does not share their location outside of family and a few close friends.

Also, keep in mind for an extra $5 - $10 charge, all major cell phone carrier have services that can help you track your child’s whereabouts through his or her phone. Additionally there are several apps that provide this service, such as Glympse, that can be downloaded at no cost to most Smartphone devices.

Make Texting While Driving Not An Option:

Car crashes are already the number one cause of death among teens so adding texting into the mix is clearly not a good idea. Everyone knows it’s dangerous to text while driving but unfortunately the temptation can often outweigh that knowledge. Parents should know that like the check-in services previously mentioned, for a fee, most major cell phone carriers provide a service that can eliminate the ability to text while in motion at certain speeds thanks to GPS technology found within Smartphones. There is also an independent service called tXtBlocker that can prevent texting while in motion and the free service, “DriveSafe.ly” allows text messages to be read aloud as they are received to help drivers keep their eyes on the road.

Consider Getting A Second Line:

Purchasing a second line may seem like an unnecessary expense but including it on your child’s Smartphone could be the better way to go over the often preferred prepaid phone plan. A second line can set limits on how often the phone can be used for both making calls and texting  (with the exception of 911 emergency calls and authorized numbers by plan’s owner) which can prevent you from receiving outrageous bills from your cell phone carrier. Plus, it also provides the location-tracking and text-curbing services as mentioned above.

Wi-Fi = Saving:

On the subject of reining in the cell phone bill, encourage your teen to use wireless internet whenever possible when it comes downloading apps, video clip or playing games with others online. At home that means making sure their settings on the Smartphone are connected to the home Wi-Fi network. When on the go, instruct them to seek out businesses and other locations such as the local library that have Wi-Fi networks. There are also apps available for both iPhones and Android phones that can help you find Wi-Fi networks in your community.

Providing a Smartphone to your teen might be scary and an added expense, but if used wisely, it can be an immensely helpful tool providing basic assistance like the ability to call for help if needed or get directions when lost, to offering around the clock access to websites and apps that can help with school projects and even remind them to follow through on household chores!

As we say goodbye to 2012 and usher in 2013, technology experts are recapping the hot trends of the year and looking ahead to what social media changes we can expect next. It's tough to keep up with the trends! Here's a recap of some key developments that may affect your family's technology habits.

Fast Company Magazine reports more users are engaging in social media via mobile devices than via PCs. If you have a teenager with a cell phone, this is no surprise to you. This trend is expected to continue into the new year. And in fact, Fast Company predicts that mobile internet use in the U.S. will overtake wired use by 2015. Don't throw out your computer just yet! But don't be shocked if your teenager favors the device in his hand over the one on his desk.

Ready to delete?

Flux Trends is reporting 2013 will be the year of the "techno spring clean" as users eliminate apps they aren't using and grow tired of constant check-ins with Facebook, Twitter and photo sharing platforms. If your child's devices are loaded with various apps, this could be a good time to have them review which ones they want to keep and which ones are just weighing them down. There are also many platforms that automatically feed other accounts. Be prepared to clean and consolidate in the year ahead.

It's not just for foodies and home decor junkies; Brand Watch predicts Pinterest is here to stay! The image sharing network reports over 12 million users a month. While the site is predominately used by women, your teenager or child may find the site appealing as it's loaded with fun and interesting images. As a parent, it's important to pay attention to your child's online interests. So while you may have Facebook and Twitter covered, don't forgot other popular channels. Pinterest is now the third most popular. What could be next?

Common Sense Media surveyed over 1,000 13-to-17 year olds nationally. Not surprisingly, 90% of America's teens are using social media. But you may be stunned to hear that 49% of teenagers said their favorite way to communicate is face-to-face, followed by 33% who chose texting.

So while it's pretty clear social media isn't going anywhere, and there are new changes on the horizon to how we use it – it's nice to know good old fashioned communication is here to stay.

The gift of giving is just a click away in our hi-tech world. Online shopping continues to rise in popularity especially during the holiday season. Online shoppers in the United States will spend $54.47 billion this holiday season, up 16.8% from $46.63 billion last year, according to a new projection from eMarketer.

These days it’s not uncommon for teens to get into the action with many having access to a PayPal account or even their parent’s credit card to take advantage of the ease, convenience and deals found in cyberspace.

With that said, it’s important to take the lead in supervising and educating your kids to make responsible and safe online purchases. Here are some tips to steer them in the right direction:

Talk to your kids about online shopping: Your children may be old enough to do some shopping of their own online but make sure they understand the potential dangers involved. Require that they shop only when supervised by a responsible adult. Make sure they are responsible with their general internet use, before allowing them to shop online.

Shop Legitimate Sites: Only make purchases from sites that are encrypted or secured which should include a closed padlock on your web’s address bar or a URL address that begins with shttp or https. Also be aware of websites that are set up to look exactly like popular online retailers, although the URL will be a bit different. These sites are called, “phishing” sites and are set up to steal your information. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox both have the ability to check for phishing websites.

Protect Personal Information: Information requested to shop online should be limited to what is need to complete a transaction. Only fill out required fields and take the time to read up on the website’s privacy policy to become familiar with how they use and store your information.

Ignore pop-up messages while on shopping sites: Never click on a pop-up, make sure you set up your browser to block pop-up messages.

Know what you are buying and the terms of the deal: Make sure you are fully aware of refund policies and delivery dates. You don’t want to be stuck with something you can’t return and also don’t want to find out your friend or family member won’t be getting their gift on time.

Wi-Fi Hotspots: When it comes to accessing a laptop or smart phone in a public place, never share personal or financial information on a network that doesn’t require a password for online access. When using a phone in this environment, accessing a 3G/4G connection to directly gain access online is safer than opting to use an unsecured wireless network.

Keep Records Of Your Purchases: Keep track of your online transactions. It’s a good idea to archive important details such as online receipt, terms of the sale, and copies of email exchanges with the seller. Also make sure to review your credit card statements to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized charges. Any discrepancies should be reported to the bank in a timely manner.

Of course, these tips are a great reminder for all of us to follow to prevent putting our online identity and bank accounts at risk during this merry time of year.

SafetyWeb wishes you and your family a safe holiday online shopping experience!