It's almost impossible these days to find a teen who isn't tethered to his or her mobile device.  Peas and carrots. Milk and cookies. Now, it's teens and texting!

To add more proof of this trend, this week Online Schools published an informative new infographic highlighting the incredible frequency with which today's teens text.

According to the findings, teens (ages 13-17) exchange an average of 3,417 text messages per month - or seven text messages every waking hour. This is more than any other age group, by far. The next closest was the 18-25 age group, which averages 1,914 texts per month.

More than 20 percent of teens included in the study say that they choose to text over call because it's faster. Other respondents claimed it was easier and more fun than talking on the phone.

The study also found that teens are using their mobile devices in other ways with the most popular activities being online gaming, followed by game downloads, streaming music, and application downloads.

While it's fascinating to take a look at the teen texting phenomenon, it's also causing increased concern. In Iowa, authorities say a 17-year-old girl was texting when her car rammed into the back of a school bus, killing her. In Canada, police believe a 16-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a train was distracted by texting and listening to music.

30 states have enacted laws banning texting while driving. But surveys of today's teens, still show a majority of them admit to doing it.

The study conducted by a research team lead by Hao Lei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences concluded that hours of Internet use might actually change your brain in similar ways to individuals who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Using a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), the team scanned the brains of 35 female and male adolescents between the ages of 14 and 21.  Based on interviews about their behavior, 17 of these individuals were labeled as having IAD – Internet Addiction Disorder.   Disruption of nerve fibers that connect to areas of the brain that involve self-control, decision making and emotions was evident in the MRIs, showing a change in the brain’s white matter.

According to reStart**, an Internet recovery program, there are a number of signs that can point to addiction including increased time spent on the computer, failed attempts to control behavior, neglecting family and friends and craving more time on the computer…to name a few. 

Addiction is certainly not limited to youth but this and previous studies have made a connection between age and internet addition.   Whether it’s due to maturity issues or their very early introduction to the online world, there is a compelling argument that young adults may be more susceptible to become addicted than any other age group. 

It’s important for parents to focus much of their energy on who’s talking to their child online and what is being said by him or others in social media forums, but it’s also necessary to be mindful of the actual time spent staring at the computer or smart phone.  It’s hard to imagine modern day life without instant access to Facebook, Google or anything else online, however unplugging and removing kids (and adults too!) on a regular basis from their cyber existence can help keep them on track with having a healthy perspective and balance between their virtual and real lives. 

*http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0030253

**http://www.netaddictionrecovery.com/the-problem/signs-and-symptoms.html

Move Over Facebook
There’s no doubt Facebook dominates the social media scene but Google+ is gaining traction with teens. Google+ allows its users to create subsets/circles of friends. Teens can also use it on an academic level by forming circles for their classes to facilitate study sessions, after-school clubs and hobbies/interests.

Teenage Smartphone Users = Savvy Consumers
It’s estimated that roughly 30% of teens owned smartphones this past year. Ownership is predicted to rise to 50% in 2012. With the use of apps on these phones, more teens than ever are becoming savvy to tapping into local deals from discount sites such as Groupon and Living Social. Bar code apps are also popular to be able to scan for in-store details and price comparisons.

Aside from keeping track of deals, teens are also looking to apps on their smartphones to help them keep track of their homework assignments, grades, high school sporting events and to-do lists.

Twitter, The News Source
While Facebook and other similar social media platforms are teens’ source to chat with their peers, teens are using Twitter as their source for news. From keeping up to date on what their favorite celebrities have to say on a minute by minute basis, teens have also tapped into Twitter accounts from news organizations including local news outlets, The Onion, TMZ, among others.

Why Watch TV Alone?
Most parents can tell you first hand their teen is online more than they are not these days, but here is more evidence to prove it: Teens have turned watching television into a social media experience. According to Mr. Youth’s 2011 Nationwide Poll, 53% of teens are posting comments about the show to their Facebook pages, 45% are texting their friends show-related updates, 39% will visit the show’s Facebook page, and 18% will Tweet directly at the show. Even those who choose to simply watch the show without talking about it through social media are still likely to text their friends about it during commercial breaks.

As social media continues to evolve, teens will continue to be on the forefront of how it will be used. Not only will they play a major role in how friends and family communicate with each other, but also how the media and business world will communicate with us. There’s no doubt 2012 will bring more change on this front.

More information about Mr. Youth’s findings can be found at http://www.grownupthinking.com/index.php/2011/12/09/top-teen-insights-trends-for-2011/.

We at SafetyWeb wish you a very happy and safe New Year!

According to the Cyberbully Research Center, approximately 20% of students report experiencing cyberbullying in their lifetime. Mean or hurtful comments and rumors spreading online are the most common types. And, it seems girls are significantly more likely to experience cyberbullying in their lifetimes, when compared to adolescent boys.

What may be even more alarming is that a 2009 Associated Press/MTV Digital Abuse Study of more than 1,200 young people found that 50% of kids ages 14-24 have experienced digital abusive behavior in their lifetime and 45% have seen people being mean to each other on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

There are many tools and resources out there to help parents keep a watchful eye on what their children are doing online. Many parents may not want to be perceived as playing “Big Brother” watching over their kids. Or, parents may worry that their kids will think they don’t trust them. For parents struggling with these issues, it’s helpful to be reminded that utilizing these tools within reason is one of the best ways to keep kids safe from harmful content that other children, teens and adults may be posting online.

It’s simply amazing to see how young kids are these days when they first go online. A recent study by the non-profit organization Joan Ganz Cooney Center and the Sesame Workshop found that 80% of children ages 0-5 are using the internet on at least a weekly basis. Imagine what the percentage is of adolescent-aged children, those who have independent access to computers and the internet.

Ensuring that kids stay safe and feel secure online at all ages is no doubt a top priority for 21st century parents. It’s important to realize that simple steps like monitoring children’s daily internet use can go a long way in keeping them out of harm’s way. Your kids may not always like it, they may get upset with you, feeling they are being watched. But at the end of the day, you are being a good parent by actively participating and monitoring your child’s online activities.

Parents and adults should be aware these days that kids often have codes and slang they use to communicate with their peers. Parents are likely aware of LOL: laugh out loud. OMG: oh my gosh/god. However, there are some others that aren’t so common that parents should keep an eye out for, because it could mean their kids are chatting about something they don’t want Mom and Dad to learn about. For instance, PAW means, “parents are watching”; MOS is “mom over shoulder”; CD9 is “code 9” which means parents are around and 182 is “I hate you.”

Another issue facing our kids and teens these days that parents need to watch for is sexting. A 2009 poll found that one in five teens sent sexually suggestive pictures via text and may have received such images. Another poll found that 44% of high school boys had seen at least one naked picture of a female classmate. Signs to look for your child is sexting? Is your child extremely protective of their cell phone? Do they send messages in private, not texting a lot while you are around but behind closed doors?

Experts say it is important for parents to understand what their kids are doing online, and although trusting them is important, their safety is equally, if not more important. Most importantly, talk to your kids about what they are doing, open lines of communication are key. Monitor what they are doing online and with their cell phone and keep track of their messages, who they are talking to and when they are doing it. While it may seem like “big brother” is watching, it’s okay. You ARE the parent and no one ever said being the parent would be easy. It’s your job to keep your kids and teens safe and secure.

According to a recent study, 38% of college admissions directors admit that what they saw on applicants' social profiles “negatively affected” their views of the applicant. SafetyWeb was founded to address this problem (along with many other online safety concerns). However, there are also common sense approaches every parent can take to help protect their child’s reputation.

Inform: Most children and teenagers do not understand the implications that their online postings and photographs may bring since they don’t realize content posted on the Internet remains there forever. It’s a common sense point, but kids need to understand that they must think it through before clicking the upload button. If it’s something they don’t want their Great Aunt Sally to see, then they shouldn’t be posting it online.

Keeping Track: It’s also important to be able to recognize an already problematic online reputation or one in the making. Keep an eye on what your child is doing by checking their Facebook or MySpace page on a regular basis or better yet, become their online friend to see what they’ve posted. Based on what you see, ask yourself, are these normal musings of a child or a teenager? Is the content posted of a positive, proactive nature? These are questions that should be asked and then evaluated to determine if their online activities are acceptable to be on display for the world to see.

Educating Yourself: As a parent, keep up to date on what’s being done on a public policy level when it comes to online safety. Become familiar with legislation such as The Child Online Protection Act which seeks to protect children from viewing unwanted content, and possibly furthermore associating themselves with it. Internet service providers can also be a good resource as they are usually eager to work with parents if it means removing inappropriate content involving a minor. Here at SafetyWeb.com we also strive to be a reliable source to find out more about new laws and online resources geared to help inform and educate parents on how to protect your child’s overall cyber safety. Help is out there if and when you need it.

The good news is once you and your child establish good online habits, they’re easy to maintain, and can make a difference in protecting your child’s good name.

1. Use a credit card - with common sense. Never give out information to an individual who claims to be contacting you from a certain company without verifying their identity. Always make sure you are keeping track of the charges as they pop up on your statement and be sure to track for any fraudulent charges and transactions.

2. Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer buyer protection against fraud and other issues and debit cards can offer a direct line into your bank account, meaning the scammer can deplete all your personal on-hand funds immediately.

3. Be aware of phishing websites. These are 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.

4. 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.

5. Talk to your kids about online shopping. Your children may be old enough to do some shopping of their own online, and make sure if they plan to log online, they understand the dangers of doing so. Suggest they never do so alone by having a responsible adult with them at all times. Also, make sure they are responsible with the internet before allowing them to shop online.

6. Choose your merchants carefully. Make sure you are buying from names you know and trust. Confirm the retailer actually exists by confirming the address and phone number in case you need to contact them if you have questions or concerns.

7. 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.

Finding the perfect gift should be fun and enjoyable! Taking the time to prevent you and your family from becoming a statistic, will go a long way to ensuring your holiday season will be a holly-jolly Christmas.

One of the biggest problems parents have while protecting and keeping tabs on their children's identity is that most people between birth and the age of 18 don’t have credit cards or bank accounts. So, identity thefts can go undetected for years. A recent study by the ID Analytics Lab found that as many as 140,000 people under the age of 18 in the U.S. are victims of identity theft each year.

While there is no sure fire way to stop thieves from attacking, there are some simple steps parents can take to work towards keeping their children from becoming a statistic and adding to this already growing number of victims.

1. Keep your Child’s Social Security Card Safe - Store your child's social security card in a secure place, such as a safety deposit box or a safe at home. Do not carry it around and risk it being lost.

2. Shred Documents - Shred any documents that ask for your child’s personal information, such as a social security number before you throw them out.

3. Educate your Kids on Social Media - With Facebook and Twitter all the rage, take the opportunity to talk to your child about posting too much personal information online. Make sure they are especially cautious when it comes to posting phone numbers, addresses, and email information.

4. Stay Informed - Require your children to ask permission before registering for any site and tell them to ask your permission before downloading anything online. This way you can make sure sites are safe and secure and you can also decide if the applications and software your kids are downloading are legitimate.

5. Discuss Identity Theft - Talk with your children about identity theft. If you teach them to be prepared and be safe both in public and online, they will be better prepared to deal with any suspicious activities.

In August, Yale announced the names and Social Security numbers of 43,000 people affiliated with the university had been available to view by anyone on Google for the past 10 months. That same week, 7,000 former students of Purdue University had their Social Security numbers exposed to hackers who found a way to gain access to the university’s server. Earlier in the month, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee discovered malware on a server holding the records of 75,000 past and present students.

In each of these cases, it’s important to keep a close eye on online identity through tools such as SafetyWeb. However for students of this age who likely have established their own credit, it’s imperative to review bank and credit card statements regularly for unusual or suspicious activities such as entries that aren’t recognizable or any new accounts opened in their name. This should be done on an ongoing basis as identity theft information can be held for use at a later date by the criminals who illegally take ownership of it.

It’s also recommended to request a free credit report. You can do so at freecreditreport.com. If any irregularities appear in a credit report or account, inform the appropriate financial institutions to make them aware of problems that occur from the information breach. Equally important is to contact one of the credit reporting agencies to put a fraud alert on your file. You can contact Experian and get credit reports from the three agencies all at once. When one agency is alerted, the other two will be notified and will put the same alert into place.

The Federal Trade Commission can be contacted as well regarding identity theft and fraud at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/. Taking this step will provide law enforcement access to complaints and can be looked into as part of their investigations. The FTC provides information on additional steps that can be taken for all identity and fraud victims.

Now that it's back-to-school time, many parents make the decision to arm their kids with cell phones. Parents generally say they do so for safety reasons; they want to be able to reach the child anytime. Cost is also a factor. Cell phone industry experts say phones and family plans are both becoming more affordable. Also, as adults swap out their old devices for newer smart phones, it is easier to pass down a used phone.

But for children, it is all about social life. A Pew study found that half of 12- to 17-year-olds sent at least 50 text messages a day and texted their friends more than they talked to them on the phone or even face to face.

Of course, owning a cell phone comes with possible outside threats. Here are 10 tips to help keep your kid safe while using a cell phone:

1. Get Educated and Prepared. Talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences associated with inappropriate cell phone use. Discuss topics including sexting and texting while driving. Make sure you get caught up on the lingo of popular acronyms and initialisms. Ask your kids to save any abusive or problem messages to show an adult.

2. Select Appropriate Phone Features. If your child is under 10, they probably don't need a phone with unlimited social networking or email capabilities. Likewise, the actual phone itself doesn’t need built-in features like a web browser or video messaging. For a young child, look for basic phones. Review all pre-programmed apps and phone capabilities beforehand.

3. Use Parental Controls. If your child’s cell phone has access to the internet, find out if your service provider offers some sort of parental control feature to which you can subscribe.

4. Limit Usage. Designate time slots for talking — perhaps after homework and chores are completed, or before dinner. Don't let constant calls interrupt family time. It's easy for a chatty teen to cuddle up to a phone at bedtime, so check periodically.

5. Consider Monitoring Services. Perhaps your child is older, but you’re still not comfortable with him or her texting and emailing unmonitored. SafetyWeb provides parents with comprehensive alerts and reports on their child's cell phone calls and text message activity. This allows you to keep track of when they are using the phone (during school hours or late at night), and who they are communicating with most frequently.

6. Wait - Before Answering. Instruct your child not to answer calls or text messages from numbers they don't recognize. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and then he can decide how to respond. Explain how to block calls from unwanted numbers.

7. Pre-program numbers. To help keep your kids safe, make sure their cell phones have all important phone numbers preprogrammed into it so they can always get a hold of someone if they’re in trouble.

8. Stay Organized. Always keep your child's cell phone charger in the same place. It's best to find a central location — like maybe the kitchen counter, or a table by the door. Mark the end of the monthly billing cycle on a calendar to remind her how long those dwindling minutes have to last.

9. Practice Privacy. Tell your teen to use caution when giving out a phone number. Make sure they don't publicize their number on the Internet or social sites like Facebook.

10. Be Careful of Download Overload. Fun ringtones, games, and backgrounds - oh my! But, be careful. These such features can come with potential bugs or hidden fees.