It's no secret ( macbook pro apple ) that children and teenagers are spending a tremendous amount of time online. ( macbook pro apple ) Popular digital communities include social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and virtual worlds and gaming sites such as Club Penguin and Second Life. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )According to one poll, more than half of youths log on to some type of social media site at least once a day. ( macbook pro apple )Roughly one in four logs on to such sites at least 10 times a day.
( macbook pro apple )Although digital communities enable youths to socialize with peers and develop multimedia skills, these online forums also have risks. A common one is cyberbullying - ( macbook pro apple )- a form of bullying that takes place entirely online in cyberspace. ( macbook pro apple ) Another is sexting ( macbook pro apple ), a term that combines the words sex and texting and refers to the exchange of sexually explicit digital messages and images. Fortunately there are ways for parents to help their children avoid these new types of harm. ( macbook pro apple )
CYBERBULLYING ( macbook pro apple )
Youths who engage in cyberbullying use cell phones, ( macbook pro apple ) computers, and other digital devices to attack peers. ( macbook pro apple ) The methods are as varied as the technology. Cyberbullies (macbook pro apple )may use text messaging and blogs t ( macbook pro apple )o spread rumors or share embarrassing information about peers. In "text wars," ( macbook pro apple )a group of youths sends hundreds or thousands of messages to victims -- who then incur large cell phone bills (unless they're lucky enough to have plans with unlimited text messaging). Other cyberbullies ( macbook pro apple ) post insulting or sexually explicit comments on victims' Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) pages. Still others set up online polls (often accompanied by pictures) ( macbook pro apple ) asking others to vote on the ugliest or fattest teen in a school. (macbook pro apple )
One survey found that 43 percent of teenagers said they'd been cyberbullied ( macbook pro apple ) in the previous year. This form of bullying is more common among girls than boys, and most prevalent at ages 15 and 16. Although some teens shrug off such attacks, others become angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. ( macbook pro apple )
SEXTING ( macbook pro apple )
One national ( macbook pro apple )survey found that 20 percent of American ( macbook pro apple ) teenagers have sent or posted nude or seminude digital images of themselves to peers, while 39 percent of teenagers have sent sexually suggestive text messages, e-mails, or instant messages to others. Most of these teens sent sexually suggestive content to their girlfriends or boyfriends, intending to be flirtatious or funny. But sexting (macbook pro apple )can prove embarrassing once a relationship ends, because digital images live on forever. ( macbook pro apple ) Sexting also exposes teens to legal action. ( macbook pro apple )
For example, a ( macbook pro apple )14-year-old girl posted about 30 nude pictures of herself on her own social networking site. ( macbook pro apple ) Prosecutors initially charged her with distributing child pornography, but then dropped the charges when she agreed to undergo counseling. ( macbook pro apple )
In another case ( macbook pro apple ), police charged a 17-year-old ( macbook pro apple ) boy with possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child after he posted nude pictures of his 16-year-old girlfriend on his social networking site. The teen posted the pictures after becoming angry at his girlfriend. ( macbook pro apple )
KEEPING KIDS SAFE ( macbook pro apple )
There's ( macbook pro apple ) nothing new about teens' ( macbook pro apple )developmental struggles with aggressive and sexual behavior, ( macbook pro apple )but technology appears to have had an amplifying effect. ( macbook pro apple ) The optimistic view is that reasonable standards and limits for online communities ( macbook pro apple )will evolve. In the meantime, parents can employ time-tested common-sense strategies to protect their children: ( macbook pro apple )
Communicate ( macbook pro apple )
Encourage youths to talk about their digital experiences and ask about what networking sites they are visiting - ( macbook pro apple )- and whether they've encountered any problems online. ( macbook pro apple)Although teenagers may demand more online privacy than younger children, they may welcome the opportunity to discuss concerns with parents. ( macbook pro apple )
Educate ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )
Young people may not understand the long-term consequences of posting something online or sending digital images to someone else. ( macbook pro apple ) It's important to help them understand that a digital "footprint" lives on forever. ( macbook pro apple )
Brainstorm ( macbook pro apple )
Identify multiple ways to deal with cyberbullying and sexting, ( macbook pro apple )so that a young person can find the most comfortable way to deal with online problems. ( macbook pro apple )Here are some common strategies:
1. ( macbook pro apple )Don't send e-mails or post information online while angry. ( macbook pro apple )
2. ( macbook pro apple )Refuse to pass on insulting messages or suggestive images. ( macbook pro apple )
3. ( macbook pro apple )Log off a chat room whenever the conversation turns nasty. ( macbook pro apple )
4. ( macbook pro apple )Block a bully electronically, using the options provided by various online communities. ( macbook pro apple )
5. ( macbook pro apple )Seek an adult's help when necessary. ( macbook pro apple )
6. ( macbook pro apple )Set an example. ( macbook pro apple )It's not just kids who engage in cyberbullying or sexting. ( macbook pro apple )Although they usually won't admit it, youths look to parents and other adults for cues about how to behave in the world - ( macbook pro apple )- and online. Set the right tone online, and your child will notice and be inclined to follow. ( macbook pro apple )- Harvard Mental Health Letter (macbook pro apple )
RESOURCES ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Family Online Safety Institute: www.fosi.org ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Stop Cyberbullying: www.stopcyberbullying.org ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Stop Bullying: www.stopbullying.gov ( macbook pro apple )
Ever since Eve told Adam, ( macbook pro apple )"This apple's ( macbook pro apple )amazing! You've got to try it!" ( macbook pro apple )word-of-mouth has been the best form of marketing. And yet, until the advent of social media, word-of-mouth marketing on a large scale hasn't existed. In the age of Facebook ( macbook pro apple ), Twitter and Web 2.0 ( macbook pro apple ), it's a whole different story. ( macbook pro apple )
Social media offers the most powerful way to connect with others, ( macbook pro apple ) allowing you to network with thousands of people (literally!) ( macbook pro apple ) from the comfort of your own home. Through harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing, social media can transform your business, product, service and passion to the next level. ( macbook pro apple )
Dave Kerpen ( macbook pro apple ) is the co-founder of Likeable Media and an expert at using social media to grow business and successfully redefine brands for large companies. ( macbook pro apple )In my recent interview with Dave, he discusses his New York Times Best-Seller, "Likeable Social Media ( macbook pro apple ): How to Delight Your Customers, ( macbook pro apple ) Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) (and Other Social Networks) ( macbook pro apple )." Whether you're new to social media or just starting your business, Dave shows how you can successfully transform your brand, build your reputation and increase your audience. ( macbook pro apple )
Are your Twitter ( macbook pro apple ) followers dwindling? ( macbook pro apple ) Are you searching for an audience who will "Like" your brand? ( macbook pro apple ) To help you get started, read an excerpt from our conversation below. Then, be sure and listen to the full Dave Kerpen ( macbook pro apple ) interview at RicherLife.com ( macbook pro apple ) to learn how social media can help take your business to the next level. (macbook pro apple )
Robert: ( macbook pro apple ) So, I'm the author of a book ( macbook pro apple ), or I've invented something, or I've started a nonprofit for a cause I really care about. ( macbook pro apple )What should my first step be moving forward, if I've only dabbled in social media? Maybe I've got a Twitter account or a Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) page, but I haven't really done anything with it. What's the first thing I should start doing? (macbook pro apple )
Dave: ( macbook pro apple )The very first thing I would start doing is actively listening, which doesn't necessarily involve your ears in social media, but it does involve searching and doing research. ( macbook pro apple ) Look at keywords. You know, if you're an author, you need to look at keywords that people who read your book might be talking about, right? ( macbook pro apple ) So, if I wrote a book about social media, I might look for the keywords ( macbook pro apple )"book on social media. ( macbook pro apple )" It's really that simple, and just look for people who say, "Hey! Anyone know a good book about social media?" Or, if I have a nonprofit that I want to grow (and obviously that nonprofit is tied to your cause), I look and listen on Twitter, on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ), on LinkedIn ( macbook pro apple ), for people talking about that cause. On Googl ( macbook pro apple )e, you'll find articles written about something, ( macbook pro apple )but on social networks, you'll find real people talking about any and every topic of choice. And it's not necessarily about searching for your name. If you're a smaller brand or up-and-coming personality, you're not going to find lots of people talking about your name, but you're certainly going to find people talking about things that are relevant to what it is that you do. ( macbook pro apple )
Robert: Right ( macbook pro apple ). So, you've got your Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) page. You're on Twitter. You're searching, listening and reading what people are talking about. At what point do you sort of throw your hat in the ring and actually start communicating with them? ( macbook pro apple )
Dave ( macbook pro apple ): I think as soon as you feel like you understand what they want and need, you can start giving it to them. I'm listening to you. I understand you well. If I'm at a cocktail party, once I know that somebody needs an accountant, you know, if I'm a bad sales person, I'm going to say, ( macbook pro apple )"Hey! I'm an accountant. You should call me ( macbook pro apple ). Here's my business card." That's not going to work, right? What's going to work is, "I know a great accountant," or, "I know a great resource for finding a great accountant." So, similarly, once you're ready to start a conversation in social media, ( macbook pro apple ) it's about figuring out what value you can provide to the people that you are connected with, and to the people that you are following, and to the people that are following you. So, for instance, with our social media agency, we have almost 18,000 ( macbook pro apple ) fans on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) already. We've probably updated that page once a day for two years. So, let's say we've had about 750 ( macbook pro apple ) updates or so. Very, very few of them (and I can count on one hand how many) ( macbook pro apple ) have been self-promotional. The rest are truly delivering value to people, sharing articles, tips, resources and recommendations to the point where, no kidding, two separate people have walked up to me at conferences and said, "Dave, I just want to thank you for all the amazing content that you share and all the value that you deliver on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ). I've actually gotten so much great content that I've used it to start my own social media agency." ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Like with any sleek, new technology, the allure of an e-reader is undeniable. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Simply put, the gadget changes history: It brings reading into the digital era, revolutionizing how we interact with books and magazines. ( macbook pro apple )
Is change always necessary, though? ( macbook pro apple )For an avid reader like me, at first it was hard to swallow. "Read on-screen for hours?" I wondered in dismay, recalling the flickering PC screen of my youth. (macbook pro apple ) "I'd rather poke my eyes out." But as e-readers began to pop up everywhere, I came to see their beauty: great resolution, slim size, ultra-portability. Minimalism in reading: brilliant. ( macbook pro apple )
Soon, my best friend gave me the Barnes ( macbook pro apple )& Noble Nook for my birthday, and my enthusiasm turned into zeal. Within my first month, I finished two ( macbook pro apple )e-books. By month two, I had dug into all the classics I'd ever wanted to read. As I downloaded the 800-page Illiad at month three ( macbook pro apple ), I was sure that soon I'd be through that too, and that by month four, I'd practically be a scholar of antiquity. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Here's what really happened after that: By month four, I was still struggling to get through the first part of the epic, and six months in, I barely remembered what I'd read. And by year's end, I was on a sabbatical from reading altogether. ( macbook pro apple )
So what went so horribly wrong here? ( macbook pro apple ) Why did the beautiful e-reader turn out to be, well, just a blip in my own history of reading? ( macbook pro apple ) I blame these four alluring myths marketers sell you about e-readers:
Myth No. 1: You'll read more. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: You won't. ( macbook pro apple )
Sure, ( macbook pro apple ) you'll download plenty of e-books with just a few clicks. And you'll start reading them too. But once you realize that each book feels just like the next (same size, font, color, digital notes, etc.), you'll also realize that half the fun of reading is how unique the experience of each book is supposed to be. ( macbook pro apple ) With e-books, you lose that personal touch. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 2: If you love book-browsing, you'll love doing it from your couch. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: You won't. ( macbook pro apple )
Like with the ( macbook pro apple ) Web, you'll often surf the e-reader bookstore, reading sample pages before you buy. The convenience is unquestionable. That is until you realize that the experience of pulling books from real shelves in the quiet sanctuary of a bookstore and then flipping through real pages is irreplaceable. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 3: ( macbook pro apple ) You can read five books at the same time! ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: ( macbook pro apple )You sure can, but you probably won't finish any of them. ( macbook pro apple )
There's something to be said about the ability to download all the books you've ever wanted in an instant - ( macbook pro apple )- and the urgency you'll feel to read them at once too. But as soon as the novelty of multitasking wears off, what's left is a bunch of fragmented stories and a whole lot of pages. And that is a surefire way to turn reading into drudgery. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 4: You'll save money. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: ( macbook pro apple )With $10 a pop for most books, that's doubtful. ( macbook pro apple )
E-books aren't cheap. ( macbook pro apple )And if you are used to getting books at thrift stores or through book lending, think twice before buying an e-reader. ( macbook pro apple )
In the age of tech hype, ( macbook pro apple ) it's easy to fall in love with every new gadget. But can technology ever replace the beauty of reading the way our ancestors meant for us to do? ( macbook pro apple )
With more shoppers than ever turning to mobile devices and computers for holiday shopping, many are inadvertently leaving themselves vulnerable to online fraud and scams. Here are 10 ways to avoid becoming a victim this holiday season: ( macbook pro apple )
Stay away from fishy-looking sites. ( macbook pro apple )
You can't always tell when a website isn't legitimate, but red flags include poor design, a strange or nonsensical web address, and multiple pop- ( macbook pro apple )up windows that you can't close. If you notice any of these suspicious signs, stop shopping and close your browser windows. ( macbook pro apple )
Avoid clicking on hyperlinks embedded in emails. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau warns that legitimate businesses don't send emails asking for follow ( macbook pro apple )-up financial information. If an email, even one that claims ( macbook pro apple ) to be from a familiar retailer, asks you to visit an outside site, don't do it - ( macbook pro apple )- it could be redirecting you to a scam site. Instead of clicking on a hyperlink, type in the web address that you want to visit into your browser. (macbook pro apple )
This year, BBB warns consumers about emails coming from the ( London Jobs )"National Automated Clearing House Association" that ask recipients to click on a link or open an attachment. In reality, the email is from scammers, not NACHA ( macbook pro apple ), which does not send emails regarding individual transactions. Clicking on the link or opening the attachment can result in stolen bank information. ( macbook pro apple )
Shop on secure websites only - ( macbook pro apple )- including on smartphones. ( macbook pro apple )
Adam Levin, founder of ( macbook pro apple )Credit.com and Identity Theft 911, ( macbook pro apple )suggests looking for "https" instead of just "http" in the address bar. ( macbook pro apple ) Also, make sure your computer's anti-virus software is up to date, he says, since you can come across some unwanted viruses when surfing online for deals and good buys. ( macbook pro apple )
In addition, ( macbook pro apple )be wary when shopping from mobile devices, since they often lack anti-virus software. Security firm ( macbook pro apple ) BitDefender ( macbook pro apple ) reports that shopping with mobile devices -- as 6 in 10 shoppers plan to do - ( macbook pro apple )- can come with a new set of security challenges, since shortened URLs can more easily trick shoppers into visiting harmful sites. Also, public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) access is convenient, but it can also leave your personal information accessible to hackers. Avoid entering passwords and credit card numbers while in public hotspots. ( macbook pro apple )
Never, ever give your Social Security number to anyone online. ( macbook pro apple )
If a site asks for it during the checkout process, it's probably a scam site, says Levin. ( macbook pro apple )
Take advantage of the automatic identity theft protection that comes with many credit cards. ( macbook pro apple )
That's one reason to use your credit card instead of debit card or cash for holiday shopping. ( macbook pro apple )If you see erroneous charges on your statement, call your credit card company, which should investigate on your behalf. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau points out that credit card companies are required to allow shoppers to dispute charges, and many companies cover charges made on stolen cards. ( macbook pro apple )Don't forget to check your credit card statements frequently (don't just wait until you get your monthly bill) ( macbook pro apple ) because many card companies have time limits on when customers can dispute charges. ( macbook pro apple )
Change up your passwords. ( macbook pro apple )
Consumers are asked to remember dozens of passwords for various retailers, ( macbook pro apple ) banks, and accounts, and it's almost impossible to remember them all - ( macbook pro apple )- especially since they often include mixes of numbers and letters. Either keep careful track of your passwords in a secure document, rely on mnemonic devices to boost your memory, or come up with some other clever strategy. But don't stick with simple passwords that are easy for strangers to guess. ( macbook pro apple )
Review your rights. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers that if products aren't shipping on time, consumers have the right to cancel the order and get a refund. ( macbook pro apple )They can also reject merchandise they deem defective or misrepresented. ( macbook pro apple )
Avoid strangers on social media. ( macbook pro apple )
This rule is especially important around the holidays, when many retailers use social media to drum up business. Fraudsters also send malicious messages through social networks. ( macbook pro apple )BitDefender recommends treating messages from strangers as spam - ( macbook pro apple )- just ignore them. ( macbook pro apple )
Don't click on fake holiday e-cards. ( macbook pro apple )
Festive e-greetings are ubiquitous this time of year, but security firm AppRiver ( macbook pro apple ) says fake cards can spread viruses. ( macbook pro apple ) At the risk of being Scrooge, the firm recommends that consumers just delete cards that come from unknown addresses. ( macbook pro apple )
Review your statements after the holidays. ( macbook pro apple )
Unfamiliar ( macbook pro apple )charges on credit card and bank statements are often the first sign of identity theft. If you find an unauthorized charge on your statement, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Your bank might be able to provide other protective steps as well, such as issuing a new card. ( macbook pro apple )
Wait long enough, and a study will be published confirming you were right. ( macbook pro apple )
So it was this past week when a Pew Research Center project revealed that on any given day, more than half of Americans aged 18 to 29 ( macbook pro apple ) go on the Internet for "no particular reason." ( macbook pro apple )
Aha! ( macbook pro apple )
I knew it! ( macbook pro apple )
I have long since believed that going into cyberspace is a mission young people take not to actually land on a planet, but to cruise around the stars until the ship runs out of gas. ( macbook pro apple ) The study shows that these young people have no purpose with the ( macbook pro apple )Web other than "fun," ( macbook pro apple ) which is why a video of a two drunken Ukrainians can have a gazillion hits. ( macbook pro apple )
When you're not looking for anything special, the un-special will do just fine. ( macbook pro apple )
It reminds me of when we were kids, and we came into the house and immediately flipped on the television set. ( macbook pro apple )
"What are you watching?" ( macbook pro apple ) our parents asked. ( macbook pro apple )
"Nothing," we said. ( macbook pro apple )
"Then why do you have it on?" ( macbook pro apple )
We had no good answer then, as I suspect kids have no good answer today. ( macbook pro apple )Their parents ask, "Why are you on that computer?" ( macbook pro apple )
And they say, ( macbook pro apple )"Uh ... what?" ( macbook pro apple )
Now, it's true, ( macbook pro apple )every generation has its diversions. In the recent Woody Allen movie "Midnight In Paris," ( macbook pro apple ) the main character thinks life in the 1920s is much more alluring than today, and he gets to go back to that time - ( macbook pro apple )- only to find a woman who thinks that life in the 1800s is much more alluring then the 1920s. ( macbook pro apple )
Same thing with diversions. ( macbook pro apple )We wonder why our kids are on the computer for so long, our parents wondered why we were addicted to the TV set, their parents wondered why the radio always had to be on, and their parents wondered how the horse got disconnected from the buggy. ( macbook pro apple ) (OK, I made that last one up. My research doesn't go back that far.) ( macbook pro apple )
But there is special concern with this new online addiction. ( macbook pro apple )No one was a predator on the radio. ( macbook pro apple ) No one stole your identity through the ( macbook pro apple )TV. No one posted anonymous hate mail or vicious rumors through those mediums, nor were they used as a way of communicating with people in lieu of speaking face to face. ( macbook pro apple )
I am not in the 18-29 ( macbook pro apple )age group anymore. I barely remember it. But I see so many people of that age drawing all their opinions, news, entertainment and - ( macbook pro apple )- worst of all (macbook pro apple )-- social interaction through a computer screen, that I worry soon the whole world will roll out of bed, ( macbook pro apple ) plop down and reach for the mouse. ( macbook pro apple )
That is not how were meant to live. ( macbook pro apple )
An old teacher of mine once told me he couldn't watch much ( macbook pro apple )TV because he found it "physically depressing." Not the programs ( macbook pro apple ). The act of sitting and staring at images. He said he felt worn out after a few TV hours, ( macbook pro apple )even though he barely moved a muscle. ( macbook pro apple )
I know what he means. I feel that way after too many hours on the computer. It's a cross between wanting to fly away and not wanting to let go. ( macbook pro apple )There's always one more thing to check. One more site to find. One more search to run. ( macbook pro apple )
It's this yin-yang that is behind the Pew survey, I believe, and I don't think it's getting better. More and more of our lives are online - ( macbook pro apple )- banking, shopping, problem-solving. ( macbook pro apple ) And of course, communicating. We're beginning to hear about people texting in their sleep. ( macbook pro apple )
It makes you wonder how we ever filled up our time before screens or speakers were invented. ( macbook pro apple )You know what people did? ( macbook pro apple )They talked. They visited. ( London Jobs )They sat near fires or rocked on porches. They wrote letters. ( macbook pro apple )They read quietly. They played with the kids and looked at the stars. ( macbook pro apple )
You know what we call that today? ( macbook pro apple )
A vacation. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )According to one poll, more than half of youths log on to some type of social media site at least once a day. ( macbook pro apple )Roughly one in four logs on to such sites at least 10 times a day.
( macbook pro apple )Although digital communities enable youths to socialize with peers and develop multimedia skills, these online forums also have risks. A common one is cyberbullying - ( macbook pro apple )- a form of bullying that takes place entirely online in cyberspace. ( macbook pro apple ) Another is sexting ( macbook pro apple ), a term that combines the words sex and texting and refers to the exchange of sexually explicit digital messages and images. Fortunately there are ways for parents to help their children avoid these new types of harm. ( macbook pro apple )
CYBERBULLYING ( macbook pro apple )
Youths who engage in cyberbullying use cell phones, ( macbook pro apple ) computers, and other digital devices to attack peers. ( macbook pro apple ) The methods are as varied as the technology. Cyberbullies (macbook pro apple )may use text messaging and blogs t ( macbook pro apple )o spread rumors or share embarrassing information about peers. In "text wars," ( macbook pro apple )a group of youths sends hundreds or thousands of messages to victims -- who then incur large cell phone bills (unless they're lucky enough to have plans with unlimited text messaging). Other cyberbullies ( macbook pro apple ) post insulting or sexually explicit comments on victims' Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) pages. Still others set up online polls (often accompanied by pictures) ( macbook pro apple ) asking others to vote on the ugliest or fattest teen in a school. (macbook pro apple )
One survey found that 43 percent of teenagers said they'd been cyberbullied ( macbook pro apple ) in the previous year. This form of bullying is more common among girls than boys, and most prevalent at ages 15 and 16. Although some teens shrug off such attacks, others become angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. ( macbook pro apple )
SEXTING ( macbook pro apple )
One national ( macbook pro apple )survey found that 20 percent of American ( macbook pro apple ) teenagers have sent or posted nude or seminude digital images of themselves to peers, while 39 percent of teenagers have sent sexually suggestive text messages, e-mails, or instant messages to others. Most of these teens sent sexually suggestive content to their girlfriends or boyfriends, intending to be flirtatious or funny. But sexting (macbook pro apple )can prove embarrassing once a relationship ends, because digital images live on forever. ( macbook pro apple ) Sexting also exposes teens to legal action. ( macbook pro apple )
For example, a ( macbook pro apple )14-year-old girl posted about 30 nude pictures of herself on her own social networking site. ( macbook pro apple ) Prosecutors initially charged her with distributing child pornography, but then dropped the charges when she agreed to undergo counseling. ( macbook pro apple )
In another case ( macbook pro apple ), police charged a 17-year-old ( macbook pro apple ) boy with possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child after he posted nude pictures of his 16-year-old girlfriend on his social networking site. The teen posted the pictures after becoming angry at his girlfriend. ( macbook pro apple )
KEEPING KIDS SAFE ( macbook pro apple )
There's ( macbook pro apple ) nothing new about teens' ( macbook pro apple )developmental struggles with aggressive and sexual behavior, ( macbook pro apple )but technology appears to have had an amplifying effect. ( macbook pro apple ) The optimistic view is that reasonable standards and limits for online communities ( macbook pro apple )will evolve. In the meantime, parents can employ time-tested common-sense strategies to protect their children: ( macbook pro apple )
Communicate ( macbook pro apple )
Encourage youths to talk about their digital experiences and ask about what networking sites they are visiting - ( macbook pro apple )- and whether they've encountered any problems online. ( macbook pro apple)Although teenagers may demand more online privacy than younger children, they may welcome the opportunity to discuss concerns with parents. ( macbook pro apple )
Educate ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )
Young people may not understand the long-term consequences of posting something online or sending digital images to someone else. ( macbook pro apple ) It's important to help them understand that a digital "footprint" lives on forever. ( macbook pro apple )
Brainstorm ( macbook pro apple )
Identify multiple ways to deal with cyberbullying and sexting, ( macbook pro apple )so that a young person can find the most comfortable way to deal with online problems. ( macbook pro apple )Here are some common strategies:
1. ( macbook pro apple )Don't send e-mails or post information online while angry. ( macbook pro apple )
2. ( macbook pro apple )Refuse to pass on insulting messages or suggestive images. ( macbook pro apple )
3. ( macbook pro apple )Log off a chat room whenever the conversation turns nasty. ( macbook pro apple )
4. ( macbook pro apple )Block a bully electronically, using the options provided by various online communities. ( macbook pro apple )
5. ( macbook pro apple )Seek an adult's help when necessary. ( macbook pro apple )
6. ( macbook pro apple )Set an example. ( macbook pro apple )It's not just kids who engage in cyberbullying or sexting. ( macbook pro apple )Although they usually won't admit it, youths look to parents and other adults for cues about how to behave in the world - ( macbook pro apple )- and online. Set the right tone online, and your child will notice and be inclined to follow. ( macbook pro apple )- Harvard Mental Health Letter (macbook pro apple )
RESOURCES ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Family Online Safety Institute: www.fosi.org ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Stop Cyberbullying: www.stopcyberbullying.org ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Stop Bullying: www.stopbullying.gov ( macbook pro apple )
Ever since Eve told Adam, ( macbook pro apple )"This apple's ( macbook pro apple )amazing! You've got to try it!" ( macbook pro apple )word-of-mouth has been the best form of marketing. And yet, until the advent of social media, word-of-mouth marketing on a large scale hasn't existed. In the age of Facebook ( macbook pro apple ), Twitter and Web 2.0 ( macbook pro apple ), it's a whole different story. ( macbook pro apple )
Social media offers the most powerful way to connect with others, ( macbook pro apple ) allowing you to network with thousands of people (literally!) ( macbook pro apple ) from the comfort of your own home. Through harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing, social media can transform your business, product, service and passion to the next level. ( macbook pro apple )
Dave Kerpen ( macbook pro apple ) is the co-founder of Likeable Media and an expert at using social media to grow business and successfully redefine brands for large companies. ( macbook pro apple )In my recent interview with Dave, he discusses his New York Times Best-Seller, "Likeable Social Media ( macbook pro apple ): How to Delight Your Customers, ( macbook pro apple ) Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) (and Other Social Networks) ( macbook pro apple )." Whether you're new to social media or just starting your business, Dave shows how you can successfully transform your brand, build your reputation and increase your audience. ( macbook pro apple )
Are your Twitter ( macbook pro apple ) followers dwindling? ( macbook pro apple ) Are you searching for an audience who will "Like" your brand? ( macbook pro apple ) To help you get started, read an excerpt from our conversation below. Then, be sure and listen to the full Dave Kerpen ( macbook pro apple ) interview at RicherLife.com ( macbook pro apple ) to learn how social media can help take your business to the next level. (macbook pro apple )
Robert: ( macbook pro apple ) So, I'm the author of a book ( macbook pro apple ), or I've invented something, or I've started a nonprofit for a cause I really care about. ( macbook pro apple )What should my first step be moving forward, if I've only dabbled in social media? Maybe I've got a Twitter account or a Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) page, but I haven't really done anything with it. What's the first thing I should start doing? (macbook pro apple )
Dave: ( macbook pro apple )The very first thing I would start doing is actively listening, which doesn't necessarily involve your ears in social media, but it does involve searching and doing research. ( macbook pro apple ) Look at keywords. You know, if you're an author, you need to look at keywords that people who read your book might be talking about, right? ( macbook pro apple ) So, if I wrote a book about social media, I might look for the keywords ( macbook pro apple )"book on social media. ( macbook pro apple )" It's really that simple, and just look for people who say, "Hey! Anyone know a good book about social media?" Or, if I have a nonprofit that I want to grow (and obviously that nonprofit is tied to your cause), I look and listen on Twitter, on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ), on LinkedIn ( macbook pro apple ), for people talking about that cause. On Googl ( macbook pro apple )e, you'll find articles written about something, ( macbook pro apple )but on social networks, you'll find real people talking about any and every topic of choice. And it's not necessarily about searching for your name. If you're a smaller brand or up-and-coming personality, you're not going to find lots of people talking about your name, but you're certainly going to find people talking about things that are relevant to what it is that you do. ( macbook pro apple )
Robert: Right ( macbook pro apple ). So, you've got your Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) page. You're on Twitter. You're searching, listening and reading what people are talking about. At what point do you sort of throw your hat in the ring and actually start communicating with them? ( macbook pro apple )
Dave ( macbook pro apple ): I think as soon as you feel like you understand what they want and need, you can start giving it to them. I'm listening to you. I understand you well. If I'm at a cocktail party, once I know that somebody needs an accountant, you know, if I'm a bad sales person, I'm going to say, ( macbook pro apple )"Hey! I'm an accountant. You should call me ( macbook pro apple ). Here's my business card." That's not going to work, right? What's going to work is, "I know a great accountant," or, "I know a great resource for finding a great accountant." So, similarly, once you're ready to start a conversation in social media, ( macbook pro apple ) it's about figuring out what value you can provide to the people that you are connected with, and to the people that you are following, and to the people that are following you. So, for instance, with our social media agency, we have almost 18,000 ( macbook pro apple ) fans on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ) already. We've probably updated that page once a day for two years. So, let's say we've had about 750 ( macbook pro apple ) updates or so. Very, very few of them (and I can count on one hand how many) ( macbook pro apple ) have been self-promotional. The rest are truly delivering value to people, sharing articles, tips, resources and recommendations to the point where, no kidding, two separate people have walked up to me at conferences and said, "Dave, I just want to thank you for all the amazing content that you share and all the value that you deliver on Facebook ( macbook pro apple ). I've actually gotten so much great content that I've used it to start my own social media agency." ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Like with any sleek, new technology, the allure of an e-reader is undeniable. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Simply put, the gadget changes history: It brings reading into the digital era, revolutionizing how we interact with books and magazines. ( macbook pro apple )
Is change always necessary, though? ( macbook pro apple )For an avid reader like me, at first it was hard to swallow. "Read on-screen for hours?" I wondered in dismay, recalling the flickering PC screen of my youth. (macbook pro apple ) "I'd rather poke my eyes out." But as e-readers began to pop up everywhere, I came to see their beauty: great resolution, slim size, ultra-portability. Minimalism in reading: brilliant. ( macbook pro apple )
Soon, my best friend gave me the Barnes ( macbook pro apple )& Noble Nook for my birthday, and my enthusiasm turned into zeal. Within my first month, I finished two ( macbook pro apple )e-books. By month two, I had dug into all the classics I'd ever wanted to read. As I downloaded the 800-page Illiad at month three ( macbook pro apple ), I was sure that soon I'd be through that too, and that by month four, I'd practically be a scholar of antiquity. ( macbook pro apple )
( macbook pro apple )Here's what really happened after that: By month four, I was still struggling to get through the first part of the epic, and six months in, I barely remembered what I'd read. And by year's end, I was on a sabbatical from reading altogether. ( macbook pro apple )
So what went so horribly wrong here? ( macbook pro apple ) Why did the beautiful e-reader turn out to be, well, just a blip in my own history of reading? ( macbook pro apple ) I blame these four alluring myths marketers sell you about e-readers:
Myth No. 1: You'll read more. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: You won't. ( macbook pro apple )
Sure, ( macbook pro apple ) you'll download plenty of e-books with just a few clicks. And you'll start reading them too. But once you realize that each book feels just like the next (same size, font, color, digital notes, etc.), you'll also realize that half the fun of reading is how unique the experience of each book is supposed to be. ( macbook pro apple ) With e-books, you lose that personal touch. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 2: If you love book-browsing, you'll love doing it from your couch. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: You won't. ( macbook pro apple )
Like with the ( macbook pro apple ) Web, you'll often surf the e-reader bookstore, reading sample pages before you buy. The convenience is unquestionable. That is until you realize that the experience of pulling books from real shelves in the quiet sanctuary of a bookstore and then flipping through real pages is irreplaceable. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 3: ( macbook pro apple ) You can read five books at the same time! ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: ( macbook pro apple )You sure can, but you probably won't finish any of them. ( macbook pro apple )
There's something to be said about the ability to download all the books you've ever wanted in an instant - ( macbook pro apple )- and the urgency you'll feel to read them at once too. But as soon as the novelty of multitasking wears off, what's left is a bunch of fragmented stories and a whole lot of pages. And that is a surefire way to turn reading into drudgery. ( macbook pro apple )
Myth No. 4: You'll save money. ( macbook pro apple )
Reality: ( macbook pro apple )With $10 a pop for most books, that's doubtful. ( macbook pro apple )
E-books aren't cheap. ( macbook pro apple )And if you are used to getting books at thrift stores or through book lending, think twice before buying an e-reader. ( macbook pro apple )
In the age of tech hype, ( macbook pro apple ) it's easy to fall in love with every new gadget. But can technology ever replace the beauty of reading the way our ancestors meant for us to do? ( macbook pro apple )
With more shoppers than ever turning to mobile devices and computers for holiday shopping, many are inadvertently leaving themselves vulnerable to online fraud and scams. Here are 10 ways to avoid becoming a victim this holiday season: ( macbook pro apple )
Stay away from fishy-looking sites. ( macbook pro apple )
You can't always tell when a website isn't legitimate, but red flags include poor design, a strange or nonsensical web address, and multiple pop- ( macbook pro apple )up windows that you can't close. If you notice any of these suspicious signs, stop shopping and close your browser windows. ( macbook pro apple )
Avoid clicking on hyperlinks embedded in emails. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau warns that legitimate businesses don't send emails asking for follow ( macbook pro apple )-up financial information. If an email, even one that claims ( macbook pro apple ) to be from a familiar retailer, asks you to visit an outside site, don't do it - ( macbook pro apple )- it could be redirecting you to a scam site. Instead of clicking on a hyperlink, type in the web address that you want to visit into your browser. (macbook pro apple )
This year, BBB warns consumers about emails coming from the ( London Jobs )"National Automated Clearing House Association" that ask recipients to click on a link or open an attachment. In reality, the email is from scammers, not NACHA ( macbook pro apple ), which does not send emails regarding individual transactions. Clicking on the link or opening the attachment can result in stolen bank information. ( macbook pro apple )
Shop on secure websites only - ( macbook pro apple )- including on smartphones. ( macbook pro apple )
Adam Levin, founder of ( macbook pro apple )Credit.com and Identity Theft 911, ( macbook pro apple )suggests looking for "https" instead of just "http" in the address bar. ( macbook pro apple ) Also, make sure your computer's anti-virus software is up to date, he says, since you can come across some unwanted viruses when surfing online for deals and good buys. ( macbook pro apple )
In addition, ( macbook pro apple )be wary when shopping from mobile devices, since they often lack anti-virus software. Security firm ( macbook pro apple ) BitDefender ( macbook pro apple ) reports that shopping with mobile devices -- as 6 in 10 shoppers plan to do - ( macbook pro apple )- can come with a new set of security challenges, since shortened URLs can more easily trick shoppers into visiting harmful sites. Also, public Wi-Fi ( macbook pro apple ) access is convenient, but it can also leave your personal information accessible to hackers. Avoid entering passwords and credit card numbers while in public hotspots. ( macbook pro apple )
Never, ever give your Social Security number to anyone online. ( macbook pro apple )
If a site asks for it during the checkout process, it's probably a scam site, says Levin. ( macbook pro apple )
Take advantage of the automatic identity theft protection that comes with many credit cards. ( macbook pro apple )
That's one reason to use your credit card instead of debit card or cash for holiday shopping. ( macbook pro apple )If you see erroneous charges on your statement, call your credit card company, which should investigate on your behalf. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau points out that credit card companies are required to allow shoppers to dispute charges, and many companies cover charges made on stolen cards. ( macbook pro apple )Don't forget to check your credit card statements frequently (don't just wait until you get your monthly bill) ( macbook pro apple ) because many card companies have time limits on when customers can dispute charges. ( macbook pro apple )
Change up your passwords. ( macbook pro apple )
Consumers are asked to remember dozens of passwords for various retailers, ( macbook pro apple ) banks, and accounts, and it's almost impossible to remember them all - ( macbook pro apple )- especially since they often include mixes of numbers and letters. Either keep careful track of your passwords in a secure document, rely on mnemonic devices to boost your memory, or come up with some other clever strategy. But don't stick with simple passwords that are easy for strangers to guess. ( macbook pro apple )
Review your rights. ( macbook pro apple )
The Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers that if products aren't shipping on time, consumers have the right to cancel the order and get a refund. ( macbook pro apple )They can also reject merchandise they deem defective or misrepresented. ( macbook pro apple )
Avoid strangers on social media. ( macbook pro apple )
This rule is especially important around the holidays, when many retailers use social media to drum up business. Fraudsters also send malicious messages through social networks. ( macbook pro apple )BitDefender recommends treating messages from strangers as spam - ( macbook pro apple )- just ignore them. ( macbook pro apple )
Don't click on fake holiday e-cards. ( macbook pro apple )
Festive e-greetings are ubiquitous this time of year, but security firm AppRiver ( macbook pro apple ) says fake cards can spread viruses. ( macbook pro apple ) At the risk of being Scrooge, the firm recommends that consumers just delete cards that come from unknown addresses. ( macbook pro apple )
Review your statements after the holidays. ( macbook pro apple )
Unfamiliar ( macbook pro apple )charges on credit card and bank statements are often the first sign of identity theft. If you find an unauthorized charge on your statement, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Your bank might be able to provide other protective steps as well, such as issuing a new card. ( macbook pro apple )
Wait long enough, and a study will be published confirming you were right. ( macbook pro apple )
So it was this past week when a Pew Research Center project revealed that on any given day, more than half of Americans aged 18 to 29 ( macbook pro apple ) go on the Internet for "no particular reason." ( macbook pro apple )
Aha! ( macbook pro apple )
I knew it! ( macbook pro apple )
I have long since believed that going into cyberspace is a mission young people take not to actually land on a planet, but to cruise around the stars until the ship runs out of gas. ( macbook pro apple ) The study shows that these young people have no purpose with the ( macbook pro apple )Web other than "fun," ( macbook pro apple ) which is why a video of a two drunken Ukrainians can have a gazillion hits. ( macbook pro apple )
When you're not looking for anything special, the un-special will do just fine. ( macbook pro apple )
It reminds me of when we were kids, and we came into the house and immediately flipped on the television set. ( macbook pro apple )
"What are you watching?" ( macbook pro apple ) our parents asked. ( macbook pro apple )
"Nothing," we said. ( macbook pro apple )
"Then why do you have it on?" ( macbook pro apple )
We had no good answer then, as I suspect kids have no good answer today. ( macbook pro apple )Their parents ask, "Why are you on that computer?" ( macbook pro apple )
And they say, ( macbook pro apple )"Uh ... what?" ( macbook pro apple )
Now, it's true, ( macbook pro apple )every generation has its diversions. In the recent Woody Allen movie "Midnight In Paris," ( macbook pro apple ) the main character thinks life in the 1920s is much more alluring than today, and he gets to go back to that time - ( macbook pro apple )- only to find a woman who thinks that life in the 1800s is much more alluring then the 1920s. ( macbook pro apple )
Same thing with diversions. ( macbook pro apple )We wonder why our kids are on the computer for so long, our parents wondered why we were addicted to the TV set, their parents wondered why the radio always had to be on, and their parents wondered how the horse got disconnected from the buggy. ( macbook pro apple ) (OK, I made that last one up. My research doesn't go back that far.) ( macbook pro apple )
But there is special concern with this new online addiction. ( macbook pro apple )No one was a predator on the radio. ( macbook pro apple ) No one stole your identity through the ( macbook pro apple )TV. No one posted anonymous hate mail or vicious rumors through those mediums, nor were they used as a way of communicating with people in lieu of speaking face to face. ( macbook pro apple )
I am not in the 18-29 ( macbook pro apple )age group anymore. I barely remember it. But I see so many people of that age drawing all their opinions, news, entertainment and - ( macbook pro apple )- worst of all (macbook pro apple )-- social interaction through a computer screen, that I worry soon the whole world will roll out of bed, ( macbook pro apple ) plop down and reach for the mouse. ( macbook pro apple )
That is not how were meant to live. ( macbook pro apple )
An old teacher of mine once told me he couldn't watch much ( macbook pro apple )TV because he found it "physically depressing." Not the programs ( macbook pro apple ). The act of sitting and staring at images. He said he felt worn out after a few TV hours, ( macbook pro apple )even though he barely moved a muscle. ( macbook pro apple )
I know what he means. I feel that way after too many hours on the computer. It's a cross between wanting to fly away and not wanting to let go. ( macbook pro apple )There's always one more thing to check. One more site to find. One more search to run. ( macbook pro apple )
It's this yin-yang that is behind the Pew survey, I believe, and I don't think it's getting better. More and more of our lives are online - ( macbook pro apple )- banking, shopping, problem-solving. ( macbook pro apple ) And of course, communicating. We're beginning to hear about people texting in their sleep. ( macbook pro apple )
It makes you wonder how we ever filled up our time before screens or speakers were invented. ( macbook pro apple )You know what people did? ( macbook pro apple )They talked. They visited. ( London Jobs )They sat near fires or rocked on porches. They wrote letters. ( macbook pro apple )They read quietly. They played with the kids and looked at the stars. ( macbook pro apple )
You know what we call that today? ( macbook pro apple )
A vacation. ( macbook pro apple )
