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Health & Fitness

?4U DYK this language?

Do you monitor your child's digital use? Do they use acronyms like PIR, OTT, NISM? You need to make your home environment safe for your adolescents in the digital world!

Question for you, do you know this language?

 

DYK Y UR children use acronyms L KPC, HOAS, P911 CTN and CyaL8r? OMG, EMFBI, BTW GL understanding them! OK, enough already!  (translation is at the end!)

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Last month, Facebook announced that it is considering opening up it’s social website for those under 13. The bottom line is, there are children under 13 with accounts already! In a recent survey of sixth graders, half of those surveyed admitted to having a Facebook account. Unfortunately, there are too many parents who have abdicated their rights as parents when it comes to the digital world. Many do this out of ignorance – they do not understand it, so they don’t bother. Others believe that “their child would never do anything inappropriate!” Others are just not involved at all!

You are the parent! You “baby proofed” your house when they were toddlers, you held their hand when they crossed the street. If you do not know how to make your home environment safe for your adolescent children, you need to seek out the information! Below are a few suggestions

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  1. Talk to your children about appropriate behavior on the Internet – no bullying, posting pictures, giving out personal information. Once something is on the web – it is there FOREVER!
  2. Know their passwords – monitor their accounts – e-mail, Twitter, Facebook etc.
  3. Use the parental controls that came with your computer. Limit their time on the computer.
  4. Make sure the computer is in a central location where you can easily see what they are doing. Under no circumstances should children be alone in their bedroom with a computer that is connected to the Internet. (Would you allow a stranger to be alone with them?)
  5. Use products like OpendnsBeSecure OnlineSafeeyes and others to track and block web usage.

Remember – your child may not be the one doing anything wrong – but they could end up being a victim! During these nice summer days – it is OK to actually go outside and swim, ride a bike or get involved with sports!

For a comprehensive list of acronyms go to netlingo.com.

 

Translation: Do you know why children use acronymns like “keeping parents clueless”, “hold on a second”, “Parent Alert”, “can’t talk now”, and “see you later?” Oh my gosh, excuse me for butting in, by the way good luck understanding them!

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