{"id":2612,"date":"2012-06-30T16:12:07","date_gmt":"2012-06-30T16:12:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/"},"modified":"2023-09-04T20:40:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T02:40:44","slug":"i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/","title":{"rendered":"I. Have. A. Teenager. &#8211; Must Have Information from @JohnWalshAMW, @techsavvymama, and @Cox_com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>June isn&#8217;t just Caribbean American Heritage Month &#8211; it is also Internet Safety Month!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2609\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Eva Wilson and John Walsh of America's Most Wanted\" title=\"Eva Wilson and John Walsh of America's Most Wanted\" width=\"400\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh.jpg 400w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh-273x300.jpg 273w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On June 28th, I was invited by <a href=\"http:\/\/beeverywhere.tv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Everywhere<\/a> to join DC area bloggers for a discussion with John Walsh of America&#8217;s Most Wanted, and parenting\/technology blogger Leticia Barr of TechSavvyMama.com.<\/p>\n<p>Watch the broadcast <a href=\"http:\/\/www.visualwebcaster.com\/event.asp?id=87776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, at the reception hosted by Everywhere and Cox, I was able to talk with several of my favorite bloggers about her views on tween, teen, and young adult internet safety.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2610\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ananda Leeke and Socamom\" title=\"Ananda Leeke and Socamom\" width=\"350\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom.jpg 350w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom-274x300.jpg 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/authoranandaleeke.wordpress.com\/2012\/06\/29\/internet-safety-month-june-28th-discussion-with-techsavvymama-leticia-barr-americas-most-wanted-john-walsh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">read her blog post from this event here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2611\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Eva Wilson and Thien Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com\" title=\"Eva Wilson and Thien Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com\" width=\"400\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim.jpg 400w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke<\/p>\n<p>Me with another one of my favorite bloggers &#8211; Thien-Kim of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imnotthenanny.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ImNotTheNanny.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sooooooo&#8230;. as a Caribbean parent, I am fully aware of the effectiveness (and often ineffectiveness) of threats. \u00a0My whole childhood was sprinkled with threats of &#8220;boxed&#8221; ears, a &#8220;cuff&#8221; or the &#8220;one lash&#8221; across my backside. \u00a0I didn&#8217;t get into too much trouble, but I got into enough to make me so glad that I didn&#8217;t have Internet access at all. \u00a0Needless to say, times have changed. \u00a0As a MODERN (LOL!) Caribbean Mom, I have to be more savvy about how I deal with the new challenges facing parents like me &#8211; whose main priority when it comes to the kids is keeping them safe on and offline. \u00a0Threats won&#8217;t do it. \u00a0We need REAL strategies right now.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p>Your kids need to know the familial and legal ramifications of sexting and bullying. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search\/%2523coxtakecharge\">#coxtakecharge<\/a><\/p>\n<p> \u2014 SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SocaMomDC\/status\/218472339682242562\">June 28, 2012<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script src=\"http:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"><\/script> <\/p>\n<p>I am the parent of a brand new teenager, and man am I nervous. \u00a0Right now, he doesn&#8217;t have his own laptop or cell phone, but times are changing, and so much research, entertainment, and more is online for kids today. \u00a0When I was thirteen, we had to worry about the creepy guy at the recreation center who stayed in the gym and just &#8220;watched&#8221;, or the mysterious white van with no windows. \u00a0The days of &#8220;latch key kids&#8221; being the targets are long gone since most kids have a cell phone (um, has anyone even seen a payphone in the last 5 years?) &#8211; so now the kids with the cell phones are the targets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>So you were thinking that since you have the family computer out in the open, and you can look over your kids&#8217; shoulders at any time that you are the parent who is on top of things? Sorry to break it to you, but the family computer isn&#8217;t where your kids spend the most time online.<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p>Have the kids teach the grandparents about Internet safety. Kids love knowing more than a grownup. &#8211; @<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/techsavvymama\">techsavvymama<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search\/%2523coxtakecharge\">#coxtakecharge<\/a><\/p>\n<p> \u2014 SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SocaMomDC\/status\/218473045327745024\">June 28, 2012<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script src=\"http:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"><\/script> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>95%\u00a0of tweens access\u00a0the Internet using a\u00a0mobile device<\/li>\n<li>92%\u00a0use a mobile device\u00a0to access the\u00a0Internet <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>at home<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It&#8217;s their cell phones, and their friends cell phones.\u00a0Anytime that websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube make it easier for us to communicate over mobile devices, they are making it easier for your kids to become targets for pornography, identity theft, and sexual predators.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What are the kids thinking? Kids ages 10-13 were asked about their thoughts on internet safety in a recent survey by Cox Communications and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: <a href=\"http:\/\/ww2.cox.com\/wcm\/en\/aboutus\/datasheet\/takecharge\/tween-internet-safety-survey.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full survey<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>98%\u00a0say their parents have talked to them about Internet\u00a0safety<\/li>\n<li>78% say their parents have\u00a0talked to them a lot about internet safety<\/li>\n<li>83%\u00a0trust what their parents say about being safe\u00a0on the Internet<\/li>\n<li>81%\u00a0say having online rules is important for\u00a0people their age<\/li>\n<li>80%\u00a0agree there are things they are too young to see or\u00a0watch online<\/li>\n<li>So, like most &#8220;tweens&#8221;, they know what is wrong, but does that stop them? Think about the 12 and 13 year olds that YOU know&#8230;<\/li>\n<li>70%\u00a0of tweens admit they have spent more time than\u00a0allowed online. \u00a0Only 55% of parents are aware of this<\/li>\n<li>55%\u00a0of tweens admit to using the Internet later than\u00a0allowed. \u00a0Only 37% of parents are aware of this<\/li>\n<li>47%\u00a0of tweens admit to using the Internet when parents\u00a0aren\u2019t home. \u00a0Only 36% of parents are aware of this<\/li>\n<li>29%\u00a0of tweens admit to visiting a website that is off limits<\/li>\n<li>18%\u00a0of tweens admit to using the Internet in rooms that are\u00a0off-limits<\/li>\n<li>16%\u00a0of tweens admit they\u2019ve figured out the passwords set\u00a0to control their online usage (my own got me with this one&#8230;)<\/li>\n<li>14%\u00a0of tweens admit they\u2019ve posted something they\u2019re not\u00a0allowed to post<\/li>\n<li>8%\u00a0of tweens admit to changing their passwords to avoid\u00a0parental monitoring.\u00a0Only 6% of tweens have figured out how to disable the\u00a0software, though, 16% of parents say their tween has\u00a0disabled the software<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Scared, yet? <a href=\"http:\/\/ww2.cox.com\/wcm\/en\/aboutus\/datasheet\/takecharge\/tween-internet-safety-survey.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #0000cc; text-decoration: underline;\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the full survey<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>42%\u00a0of tweens have received a\u00a0personal message from\u00a0someone they didn\u2019t know.\u00a0Only 22% of parents\u00a0are aware of this<\/li>\n<li>17%\u00a0have received an email or\u00a0online message with pictures or\u00a0words that made them feel\u00a0uncomfortable.\u00a0Only 7% of parents\u00a0are aware of this.\u00a0Only 11% replied or\u00a0chatted with them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>For me that is 11% too many.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There is nothing scarier to a predator than an informed parent, so <strong>here are some tips from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, John Walsh from America&#8217;s Most Wanted, and Cox communications<\/strong> to help you keep your children safe. You can find these tips and more at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cox.com\/takecharge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cox.com\/takecharge<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Talk with your kids about Internet Safety.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Talk to your kids regularly about what they do online and what they shouldn&#8217;t do. Research shows that kids whose parents talk to them about Internet safety are less likely to engage in risky behavior while online.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Know which devices in your home have Internet access.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The typical family uses five internet-enabled devices in the home. Most Internet Service Providers offer free software to protect the home computer. Cox customers can download free security suite software by visiting\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cox.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Use parental controls on all mobile devices.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Remind your kids that the same rules that apply to the home PC also apply to their mobile devices \u2013 wherever they use them. Basic parental control features can be found in the settings section of most devices.\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/ww2.cox.com\/aboutus\/takecharge\/your-digital-life\/parental-controls.cox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to learn how to enable parental controls on some common mobile devices. You can download browser apps that provide website blocking and filtering by searching for kid friendly web browsers in online application stores.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Tell your kids not to respond to online messages from people they&#8217;ve never met. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>According to a survey from Cox and the National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children, 42 percent of tweens (10- to 13-year olds) have received messages from people they&#8217;ve never met.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong> <strong><strong>5. Make sure your kids visit age-appropriate sites.<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you hear your kids talk about a new website, check it out. If you approve the site, then sit with them as they visit the site to see what they do or learn. Find sites that promote learning, creativity, and that deepen your kids&#8217; interests.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Don&#8217;t pass up password protection.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Enable passwords on all mobile devices. That way your child will have to come to you enter the password so you&#8217;ll always be aware of when they are using the device.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7. Have some rules about time and place for using mobile devices.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Set limits on the amount of time your kids spend online using mobile devices and where they can use them. Don&#8217;t let them &#8216;instant message&#8217; if you don&#8217;t have monitoring software on the mobile device. Restrict time and sites for online gaming.<\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Agree on downloads.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What music is okay? Which video sites are okay? Don&#8217;t share your passwords with your kids that will allow them to download music, games, videos, etc. to mobile devices. If they need to download something, you should always be involved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9. Make sure kids feel safe to talk with you about their online activity.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your kids need to know they won&#8217;t get in trouble if they tell you or another trusted adult if anything suspicious, mean, or scary happens.<\/p>\n<p><strong>10. Be involved online.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Parents are the role models for safe and smart use. Enjoy the good stuff together by joining social networks that your kids are involved in and by sharing favorite apps and helpful web sites.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and don&#8217;t forget about the Wii, the Xbox, and the Playstation, and the handheld PSP and Nintendo DS &#8211; all of which have internet access. \u00a0Controls can be set up to help you monitor kids&#8217; activities there as well. Find more tips on how to keep kids safe here: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cox.com\/takecharge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cox.com\/takecharge<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>This post is the result of my attendance at an event sponsored by Everywhere, Cox Communications, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. \u00a0I was invited to a reception that included a meal. \u00a0As always, all opinions are my own. \u00a0For more information on sponsored posts, click here &#8211; <a href=\"en\/about-socamomcom\">http:\/\/www.socamom.com\/soca\/en\/about-socamomcom<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>June isn&#8217;t just Caribbean American Heritage Month &#8211; it is also Internet Safety Month!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2609\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Eva Wilson and John Walsh of America's Most Wanted\" title=\"Eva Wilson and John Walsh of America's Most Wanted\" width=\"400\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh.jpg 400w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh-273x300.jpg 273w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On June 28th, I was invited by <a href=\"http:\/\/beeverywhere.tv\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Everywhere<\/a> to join DC area bloggers for a discussion with John Walsh of America&#8217;s Most Wanted, and parenting\/technology blogger Leticia Barr of TechSavvyMama.com.<\/p>\n<p>Watch the broadcast <a href=\"http:\/\/www.visualwebcaster.com\/event.asp?id=87776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, at the reception hosted by Everywhere and Cox, I was able to talk with several of my favorite bloggers about her views on tween, teen, and young adult internet safety.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2610\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ananda Leeke and Socamom\" title=\"Ananda Leeke and Socamom\" width=\"350\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom.jpg 350w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/ananda_leeke_socamom-274x300.jpg 274w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/authoranandaleeke.wordpress.com\/2012\/06\/29\/internet-safety-month-june-28th-discussion-with-techsavvymama-leticia-barr-americas-most-wanted-john-walsh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">read her blog post from this event here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-2611\" src=\"http:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Eva Wilson and Thien Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com\" title=\"Eva Wilson and Thien Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com\" width=\"400\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim.jpg 400w, https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_thienkim-300x237.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke<\/p>\n<p>Me with another one of my favorite bloggers &#8211; Thien-Kim of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imnotthenanny.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ImNotTheNanny.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sooooooo&#8230;. as a Caribbean parent, I am fully aware of the effectiveness (and often ineffectiveness) of threats. \u00a0My whole childhood was sprinkled with threats of &#8220;boxed&#8221; ears, a &#8220;cuff&#8221; or the &#8220;one lash&#8221; across my backside. \u00a0I didn&#8217;t get into too much trouble, but I got into enough to make me so glad that I didn&#8217;t have Internet access at all. \u00a0Needless to say, times have changed. \u00a0As a MODERN (LOL!) Caribbean Mom, I have to be more savvy about how I deal with the new challenges facing parents like me &#8211; whose main priority when it comes to the kids is keeping them safe on and offline. \u00a0Threats won&#8217;t do it. \u00a0We need REAL strategies right now.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p>Your kids need to know the familial and legal ramifications of sexting and bullying. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search\/%2523coxtakecharge\">#coxtakecharge<\/a><\/p>\n<p> \u2014 SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SocaMomDC\/status\/218472339682242562\">June 28, 2012<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script src=\"http:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"><\/script> <\/p>\n<p>I am the parent of a brand new teenager, and man am I nervous. \u00a0Right now, he doesn&#8217;t have his own laptop or cell phone, but times are changing, and so much research, entertainment, and more is online for kids today. \u00a0When I was thirteen, we had to worry about the creepy guy at the recreation center who stayed in the gym and just &#8220;watched&#8221;, or the mysterious white van with no windows. \u00a0The days of &#8220;latch key kids&#8221; being the targets are long gone since most kids have a cell phone (um, has anyone even seen a payphone in the last 5 years?) &#8211; so now the kids with the cell phones are the targets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/#more-2612\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading &#10142; <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">I. Have. A. Teenager. &#8211; Must Have Information from @JohnWalshAMW, @techsavvymama, and @Cox_com<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2609,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogging","blog_design-has-thumbnail"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>I. Have. A. Teenager. - Must Have Information from @JohnWalshAMW, @techsavvymama, and @Cox_com - Socamom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"I. Have. A. Teenager. - Must Have Information from @JohnWalshAMW, @techsavvymama, and @Cox_com - Socamom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"June isn&#039;t just Caribbean American Heritage Month - it is also Internet Safety Month! On June 28th, I was invited by Everywhere to join DC area bloggers for a discussion with John Walsh of America&#039;s Most Wanted, and parenting\/technology blogger Leticia Barr of TechSavvyMama.com. Watch the broadcast HERE. Afterwards, at the reception hosted by Everywhere and Cox, I was able to talk with several of my favorite bloggers about her views on tween, teen, and young adult internet safety. Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke - read her blog post from this event here Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke Me with another one of my favorite bloggers - Thien-Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com Sooooooo.... as a Caribbean parent, I am fully aware of the effectiveness (and often ineffectiveness) of threats. \u00a0My whole childhood was sprinkled with threats of &quot;boxed&quot; ears, a &quot;cuff&quot; or the &quot;one lash&quot; across my backside. \u00a0I didn&#039;t get into too much trouble, but I got into enough to make me so glad that I didn&#039;t have Internet access at all. \u00a0Needless to say, times have changed. \u00a0As a MODERN (LOL!) Caribbean Mom, I have to be more savvy about how I deal with the new challenges facing parents like me - whose main priority when it comes to the kids is keeping them safe on and offline. \u00a0Threats won&#039;t do it. \u00a0We need REAL strategies right now. Your kids need to know the familial and legal ramifications of sexting and bullying. #coxtakecharge \u2014 SocaMom (@SocaMomDC) June 28, 2012 I am the parent of a brand new teenager, and man am I nervous. \u00a0Right now, he doesn&#039;t have his own laptop or cell phone, but times are changing, and so much research, entertainment, and more is online for kids today. \u00a0When I was thirteen, we had to worry about the creepy guy at the recreation center who stayed in the gym and just &quot;watched&quot;, or the mysterious white van with no windows. \u00a0The days of &quot;latch key kids&quot; being the targets are long gone since most kids have a cell phone (um, has anyone even seen a payphone in the last 5 years?) - so now the kids with the cell phones are the targets.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Socamom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/socamomdotcom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2012-06-30T16:12:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-09-05T02:40:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/socamom_johnwalsh.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Eva Wilson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@socamomdc\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@socamomdc\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Eva Wilson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/i-have-a-teenager-must-have-information-from-johnwalshamw-techsavvymama-and-coxcom\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Eva Wilson\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/socamom.com\/w\/#\/schema\/person\/ae448fb8a8731a8ff788972ac8b57980\"},\"headline\":\"I. 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Afterwards, at the reception hosted by Everywhere and Cox, I was able to talk with several of my favorite bloggers about her views on tween, teen, and young adult internet safety. Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke - read her blog post from this event here Photo courtesy of Ananda Leeke Me with another one of my favorite bloggers - Thien-Kim of ImNotTheNanny.com Sooooooo.... as a Caribbean parent, I am fully aware of the effectiveness (and often ineffectiveness) of threats. \u00a0My whole childhood was sprinkled with threats of \"boxed\" ears, a \"cuff\" or the \"one lash\" across my backside. \u00a0I didn't get into too much trouble, but I got into enough to make me so glad that I didn't have Internet access at all. \u00a0Needless to say, times have changed. \u00a0As a MODERN (LOL!) 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