Helping Children Understand Digital Dangers

Parenting in 2020 isn’t an easy task. Parents are asked to protect their children not only from physical threats but digital ones too. The worst part about keeping kids from harm is spoiling their natural optimism with the pragmatic and necessary knowledge to stay safe online.

The most important factor to explain to your children is that anything posted on the web will be there forever. Kids these days don’t have the luxury of private childhoods, not really. Every awkward phase, mistake, and bad haircuts can be saved in perpetuity on servers and other people’s computers.

Family-Friendly YouTube?

It isn’t just YouTube that has sketchy content masquerading as child-friendly programming. There are lots of misleading content out there parading as kid’s shows.

Thankfully, YouTube does have parental control features that can reduce the chances of your kids coming across inappropriate media. You can’t completely block out disturbing content, but there are a few steps you can take to minimize exposing your child to adult media.

 Preview Content Before Allowing Kids to View a Program: Fast-forwarding through a program to scan for any red flags is an easy way to keep track of what entertainment your children consume. Also, opt for headphone-free viewing so you can censor the material if necessary.

 Block Inappropriate Channels and Artists: Social media outlets and news agencies frequently report scams and salacious materials pretending to be kid-friendly content. 

 Prohibit Search Functions: Turning off the search function on YouTube is particularly helpful for protecting young, literate, and curious minds.

 Set-up YouTube Kids: This function doesn’t prevent everything but it does a decent job of blocking out adult content.

The Basic Rules for Avoiding Digital Dangers!

Truly the most effective defense against digital threats is keeping an open line of communication between you and your child.

Teaching them a few basic concepts will allow them to develop protective skills and earn a little independence in the process.

The following a few basic rules for kids to follow for safe internet activity.

A. Keep Personal Data Private! Personal information like addresses, email, phone numbers, school locations, check-ins, and other shareable data is dangerous for anyone of any age. Predators can use birthday messages to prize birthdates or spy identifiable locations in photos. Teach your kids to protect their privacy like a shark patrolling shallow waters.

B. Internet Equals Eternity – Everything that has ever been posted on the web is still there, like history it isn’t going anywhere. Being thoughtful about developing an online presence is key to future success. Remind them NOT to post anything they wouldn’t be proud to show to everyone in their life.

C. Teach Kids About Real-Life Consequences. Children need to know about the legal aspects of online activity. Bullying, sexually related content and terroristic threatening are all crimes that have criminal consequences, even for kids. Many families have faced heartbreaking court cases due to antisocial online behavior. 

D. Password Privacy – Criminals are evolving as the web does. Children must have private, complex passwords which include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Monitoring your child’s privacy settings should be done routinely.

Finally, Don’t Accept Friend Request from Strangers and Don’t Meet Anyone Without Parental Consent! 

Facebook reports that half of all users have accepted a stranger’s friend request. 

Social media is changing, and unsolicited requests are frequently being diverted to junk files but discussing digital stranger danger should be a top priority. 

T-Mobile Giving 10M Children's Homes Free Wi-Fi

Students are struggling each day with online learning due to unreliable Wi-Fi. This morning, over 15,000 student households in five school districts have been gifted with free internet access, as many children struggle with online learning in the midst of the latest coronavirus pandemic due to poor Wi-Fi.

Good Morning America, "the surprise announced today to students attending five Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania, Jackson, Mississippi, Baltimore, Maryland, Santa Fe, New Mexico and South Bend, Indiana public school districts." Thanks to T-Mobile's Project 10Million, a campaign that aims to gradually get free Wi-Fi to 10 million student households in the US, they will now have five years of free internet access in their homes.

According to the Center for Democracy and Technology, of the 50 million children studying remotely, between 15 and 16 million lack sufficient internet access. As a result, to join online courses, many students have switched to fast food restaurants or school parking lots.

SURPRISE! @ReeveWill had a BIG gift for a South Bend, Indiana school district that will help students get connected to WiFi and bridge the digital divide crisis amid COVID-19. https://t.co/Q03jriTjDj pic.twitter.com/Edcv3tA5jD

— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 30, 2020

Even before the pandemic struck, the digital divide was real, with many households lacking internet access due to ethnic, economic, and regional disparities.

20,000 families were without internet service in Baltimore, which is equal to 40,000 students. And 40 percent of students do not have internet access in indigenous communities in New Mexico.

Through its program, Project 10Million, which offers affordable internet connectivity for free to students who do not have access to it, T-Mobile has provided hot spots with free data for five years in South Bend, where public schools have deployed Wi-Fi buses to communities that need it most.

 

Things You Never Knew You Could Do With a Smartphone

Today, smartphones rule the world. Yes, we live in a world where phones are no longer tools of sending voice communication from point A to point be.

You can use your smartphone to get directions to your preferred destination, do research for your school project, type a few things for presentations, and even send bulk emails to your leads!

Your smartphone will also come in handy when you want to lookup critical information such as if you are a horse racing fan and you are looking for Kentucky Derby news and updates. We cannot also forget to mention that a smartphone is an entertainment toolkit that you can use to watch movies, stream programs, watch live feeds, and navigate through different social media platforms.

There is a lot that smartphones can do. But did you know that there are many smartphone uses that your online vendor or local phone store will not tell you about? Well, here are some of them;

1.       Get warnings on speed traps.

Sometimes, you are in a hurry to get to a destination when the worst happens. You are arrested by traffic offices for overspeeding, and you have to part with a significant amount of money or face a jail term!

If you have a smartphone, you don’t have to go through such troubles. With apps such as Trapster, you will get real-time alerts about speed traps on your path. Additionally, you will be notified about speed cameras and other hazards on the way.

Through this app, you can continuously monitor your speed, and get red lights and early warnings before you fall on the wrong side of the law.

2.       Use your smartphone as a remote control.

You don’t need to replace your lost remote controls as long as you have a smartphone. There are many apps on Google and Apple stores that help you turn your gadget into a remote control.

With the right app, you can control your DVR, digital cameras, computers, and other devices in your home.

3.       Monitor your heart rate

Whether you have a heart problem or not, monitoring your heart rate is critical. The good news is, you don't need to buy a medical gadget or go for a regular checkup to achieve this. 

All you are required to do is take your smartphone and download the Instant Heart Rate App. This application will accurately measure your pulse and instantly calculate the heart rate.

Using this app, you can also calculate how your body burns fat and how your heart recovers after a workout.

4.       Track your loved ones

Apps like Verizon Family Locator and Find My iPhone permits you to know your loved ones' whereabouts at all times.

If you are tracking your children (or spouse), some apps will send you a notification when a phone leaves the designated area. This is made possible by GPS tracking technology, which is amazingly reliable and accurate.

5.       Complete your carpentry duties

Are you a carpenter, or do you have a soft spot for carpentry, but can’t find the right tools in your local store? Well, don’t worry! You can use your smartphone as a handy carpenter’s tool. With an app such as the iHandy Carpenter, you can use your phone as a surface level, bubble level bar, steel protractor, ruler, and plumb bob. With pleasant lighting and woodgrain effects, all virtual tools by this app are both useful and visually appealing.

6.       Pay your bills

Apps like Google Wallet allow you to securely store credit card information and pay for goods and services without using physical cards. All you need to do is to tap your smartphone on the checkout reader, and your transaction will be completed in seconds!

In case you don't possess a card from participating banks, you can opt for the Google prepaid card, which allows you to make cashless payments anytime, anywhere.

7.       Finally…make a decent living.

You don’t have to leave the comfort of your convenience to make some extra cash or a decent income. There are lots of things you can do on your phone and make money. Simply identify your talent and get an app that will monetize it. For instance, you can download the Fivver app and sell things you love doing, such as writing poems and songs to a wide range of clients.

You can also record videos about topics you are conversant with and post them on social media and YouTube. When your following grows and you become an influencer, brands will knock at your door and offer lucrative endorsements.

There is a lot you can do with your phone. Try all the things mentioned above and have fun!

Can Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

The expert panel that evaluates cancer risks today said that cell phones might possibly cause brain cancer.  Full Story from WebMD

The announcement comes from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Like the World Health Organization, the American Cancer Society relies on IARC for evaluation of cancer risks.

"After reviewing all the evidence available, the IARC working group classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans," panel chairman Jonathan Samet, MD, chair of preventive medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, said at a news teleconference. "We reached this conclusion based on a review of human evidence showing an increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, in association with wireless phone use."

In finding cell phones to be "possibly carcinogenic," the IARC means that heavy cell phone use might -- or might not -- cause a specific form of brain cancer called a glioma. The finding means that research is urgently needed to find out whether cell phones actually cause cancer, and how they might do it.

The IARC estimates that some 5 billion people worldwide have mobile phones. Lifetime exposure to the magnetic fields created by the phones -- particularly when they are held tightly against the head -- rapidly is increasing.

Children are at particular risk, not only because their skulls are thinner but also because their lifetime exposure to cell phones likely will be greater than the exposure of current adults.

Related Stories:
How to Measure Cell Phone Radiation Levels
Cell Phones & Cancer Risk?

How to Choose the Right Lawyer: 5 Things to Consider

Finding the right attorney requires a lot of research so take your time with the process. A lawyer offers a service and, like any service, you need to be sure that you have hired the best provider. Most lawyers offer a free consultation, so when you have finally narrowed down your choices you can use the following aspects to guide your selection.

1. Experience

Years of experience in practicing law allows an attorney to acquire litigation skills that will likely work to your advantage. For instance, their experience could make them better equipped to select the best judge for your case. Also, make sure it relates to your case in particular. If you need an attorney for settlement negotiation, don't hire someone with experience in public health, and vice versa. Additionally, their expertise will allow them to evaluate the risk involved in taking a particular course of legal action and develop legal strategies that will help you gain a ruling in your favor.

2. Rapport

You will be spending a considerable amount of time with your hired lawyer. If your case goes to trial, this will mean spending even more time in their company. Consider how the two of you fit, personality-wise. Do you feel comfortable around them? Can you communicate your questions without feeling intimidated or judged? You need a lawyer with whom you can communicate freely without hesitation.

3. Legal Familiarity With Your Judicial District

You will need a lawyer familiar with your state laws and filing procedures to give you the best possible chance of a fair verdict. Consider an attorney familiar with the key legal personalities in your area. The influence they may have in your community can work to your advantage. Additionally, an attorney local to you may be available for impromptu in-person meetings to answer any questions you may have.

If you're in Long Island or the New York and New Jersey area, a good place to start is by speaking to Howard Fensterman. Mr. Fensterman is a managing partner at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara, Wolf & Carone, LLP. The law firm of Abrams Fensterman is a full-scale law firm with years of experience in health care law, mental health law, and matrimonial law, to name a few. Mr. Fensterman is licensed to practice law in the state of New York, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Maryland.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees on the Long Island Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America and previously served on the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council. He has been recognized for his charity and philanthropy to the Israel Children's Cancer Foundation and the Chabad of Port Washington.

You can contact them via their website to discuss your legal issue with a member of their experienced team of attorneys.

4. Professionalism

How do they conduct themselves towards you as their prospective client? This is a behavior-based distinction and is often the marker of a skilled lawyer and an incompetent one. Some details to look out for to determine their level of professionalism include trust, punctuality, preparedness, response time to client queries, and legal team.

Make sure you know which attorney on the team will be working on your case and that whoever it makes your case a priority. This means showing up on time, being prepared, and getting back to you in a timely manner.

5. Reputation

As with any profession, you get a good reputation by working well for a significant amount of time. Reputation is also built on what past clients have to say about a prospective lawyer and the quality of service that they provided. While interviewing your prospective lawyer, look at online reviews about their firm. You should also read what they say about themselves on their website.