Internet Addiction

February 14, 2010

An Internet addiction is an addiction like any other: it is defined by a compulsive loss of impulse control resulting in damage to the user and his or her relationships, schoolwork, or employment. Online gaming, compulsive use of social networking, and marathon Internet surfing sessions are all included in this powerful addition. Continue reading »

Kids and Online Commerce

December 18, 2009

In order to shop online, one must have access to a computer and either a bank account, online payment account, debit card, or credit card. Kids and young adults are heavily targeted by marketers and often seek to purchase toys and objects they perceive to be important to their personal and social development. Online marketing can be narrowly targeted, and thus be more effective. Search engines and online vendors will remember prior purchases, or simply what one has searched for. Continue reading »

Online Reputation

February 14, 2010

As with any reputation, an online reputation formed during one’s adolescence can haunt for years to come.  It is imperative that you and your child have an open conversation about the possible repercussions of Internet interaction before any lasting damage occurs. Continue reading »

Teens and Mobile Phones

December 14, 2009

Many kids and teens today have their own mobile phones to use for social, family, and professional purposes. Mobile phones are equipped to send/receive phone calls and text messages. ”Smart” phones or PDAs and other devices also enable you to access the Internet, take/send photos/videos, play games, listen to music, use a calculator, alarm clock, and calendar, not to mention the thousands of apps that offer a growing array of services. Continue reading »

Bad Content Online

Bad content online can include violent video games, hate sites, sites that seek to mislead or “brainwash”, and commercial sites that seek to scam youth.  Negative content can be sought out by kids or found inadvertently through search queries, pop-ups, and spam. Videos of shocking content can spread like wildfire online and often get shared by peers in group settings just to see what kind of reactions they elicit.  It is also common for teens to actually post video responses expressing their reactions to shocking content. Continue reading »

Online Friends

December 18, 2009

Social Networks (many consider Friendster to be the original) were created to enable real life friends to share information and interact on the Internet, and potentially to expand personal networks through mutual friends. However, the need for actual friendship or even a common friend was soon trumped by the perceived prestige of having a large online community, resulting in the tendency for people to become “friends” with people they had never met. Continue reading »

Online Photos and Videos

December 14, 2009

Online photos and videos are media produced in digital form and made available on the Internet via websites, blogs, social networking sites, photo/video sharing sites, or email. The key difference between online media and offline media is that online media can be easily copied, shared, and downloaded. Continue reading »