According to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, youth between the ages of 8-18are spendingover 7 hours a day consuming entertainment media through the internet, cell phone, and television. Cell phones and Ipods are the driving force behind the increase consumption of media. The report indicates that over the past five years the ownership of cell phones among 8 to 18 year olds have increased from 39% to 66%. During this same five year stretch, ownership of Ipods for the same target population has increased from 18% to 76%.
The most important stat is that only 30% of parents have any type of rules set up to monitor cell phones, Ipod, and other media use. The stats show that children are accessing entertainment at a fast pace and parents are struggling on how to safe guard the technology. Spy Parent is here to help parents set rules around electronic media.
Email us at slewis@spyparent.net and receive a FREE electronic media rules contract to review with your child.
A new study by Symantec was released showing that the fourth most search term for kids under the age of 7 was porn. So now younger kids are searching for porn more than ever. Most parents do not think about filtering software until their child hits the age of 11, but new research is showing that parents need to start early.
Unlike teens, most kids under the age of 10 are not too computer savvy when it comes to hiding their searches. Simply filtering software such as Cybersitter would eliminate dangerous searches and allow parents to block certain sites. You can visit our computer monitoring page for more information.
A new 2009 AP\MTV Digital Abuse Study was released last week. The study focused on digitally abusive behavior among young people between the ages of 14-24. A total of 1,247 people within the age range were interviewed and completed an online survey. The survey indicated 50% of people age 14-24 have experienced abusive behavior. Additionally, 3 in 10 young people report having been involved in some type of sexting.
As more studies are released, it is important for parents to purchase monitoring software for their teen’s computer, cell phone, and video game. There are too many risks involved as evidenced by this most recent survey. Any child with internet access is a potential abuse victim.
The fatal beating of 14 year old Chicago honor student Derrian Albert was terrifying. The video shows gang members knocking out Derrian on the street outside of his school. While Derrian is lying unconscious on the street gang members hit him with wooden planks.
The entire fight was captured on a cell phone by teenagers and uploaded to Youtube. In the audio of the video you can hear the excitement in the teen’s voice as they narrate the incident. For these teen the incident took on the life of an Ultimate Fighting match until they realized that the young man lying in the street was seriously hurt.
During the past 2 years we have warned parents of the phenomenon of “internet fights”. Teens across the land find excitement in videotaping fights and displaying them on the internet. The video recording of these fights has the effect of intensifying the violence. Research indicates that once teens realize they are being videotaped they increase their level of violence for the camera. You can see during Chicago Beating video that the teens involved became hyped after they became aware of people recording the fight.
It is time for parents to stand up and monitor their teen’s technology. The excuse of being computer illiterate is no longer viable. All major phone carriers will allow you to come to their store and assist you with viewing your child’s pictures and videos. There are multiple applications that will allow you to monitor your cell phone or better yet block certain functions such as videotaping and taking pictures.
The government can’t solve this situation! It is going to take dedicated parents to put an end to teen violence.
If you are a parent that constantly texts your child regarding chores, homework, babysitting, etc, then you are engaging in cyber nagging. Cybernagging is the practice of parents repeatedly texting their kids through out the day with random info. I know what your are thinking. If they would answer the cell, then I wouldn’t have to serial text them. The problem is that researchers are noticing that repeated parental texts is leading to disruption within the school environment. Teens are being constantly disturbed by parents with chores and tasks to be completed upon returning home. Most schools ban texting anyway but some administrators will allow kids to slide if the text is from a parent.
If you are a Cybernagger, then go old school and create a to do list. Your child and school administrators would appreciate it.
Computer Security firm Symantec researched 3.5 million searches made by Online Family Norton service users worldwide between February and July of 2009. The Online Family Norton service allows parents to track their offspring’s’ Internet activities. Symantec released a list of the Top 100 searches conducted by children whose computers are tied to Online Family Norton Services. “Sex” came in first on the survey and “Porn” came in six .
Communication giant Nortel conducted a global survey online within the United States, France, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, South Korea, Canada, and the United Kingdom to determine the communication services that breed subscriber loyalty. The study indicated that 60% of the respondents chose Home Surveillance, the ability to remotely monitor their home using wireless cameras and an Internet browser, as a needed service. Due to the affordability of home surveillance system and the surge of home invasions across the world, home surveillance sales will continue to increase.
Spy parent LLC offers some of the most advanced home surveillance systems on the market. Spy Parent currently is running a home surveillance special. Home owners can purchase a surveillance system, cameras, monitor, and installation for$ 1,400.00.
The Amber Alert GPS 2 might be the best child locator device we have ever reviewed here at Spy Parent. This new tracking device was released this week. The Amber Alert GPS can be worn on your child’s belt, wrist, ankle, purse, or placed in a book bag. The device allows parents to set up a safe zone around their child. Once the child leaves the zone, the device alerts the parent’s cell phone. The device has a destination alert feature that notifies parents when their child reaches their destination. What set this device apart from its competitors is the SOS feature. If a child is in an emergency, then they can press the SOS button and immediately send an emergency text to the parent. Additionally, the voice monitoring feature that is associated with the SOS button allows a parent to listen in on their child’s conversation. For instance, if your child has to go to the principal office you can listen in on the conversation from the device.
Here is a description of the product from the manufacture:
The downside of the Amber Alert GPS is it 300 dollar price tag that does not include the monthly monitoring plan that runs from 10-50 dollars a month. Although it is a steep price tag, this device is worth it. Spy Parent LLC is currently in talks with the manufacture to bring the device to the website.
Video Vigilantism is spreading across home owner associations across the U.S. Home owners are taking things into their own hands and installing DIY surveillance systems. Homeowners are filming burglars and giving the footage to cops or posting on social websites such as Youtube. Recently, a couple in Atlanta videotaped burglars breaking into their home while they were at work. The video quickly turned viral on Youtbe. Here is a look at the video.
According to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, youth between the ages of 8-18 are spending over 7 hours a day consuming entertainment media through the internet, cell phone, and television. Cell phones and Ipods are the driving force behind the increase consumption of media. The report indicates that over the past five years the ownership of cell phones among 8 to 18 year olds have increased from 39% to 66%. During this same five year stretch, ownership of Ipods for the same target population has increased from 18% to 76%.
Most parents do not think about filtering software until their child hits the age of 11, but new research is showing that parents need to start early.
The Amber Alert GPS 2 might be the best child locator device we have ever reviewed here at Spy Parent. This new tracking device was released this week. The Amber Alert GPS can be worn on your child’s belt, wrist, ankle, purse, or placed in a book bag. The device allows parents to set up a safe zone around their child. Once the child leaves the zone, the device alerts the parent’s cell phone. The device has a destination alert feature that notifies parents when their child reaches their destination. What set this device apart from its competitors is the SOS feature. If a child is in an emergency, then they can press the SOS button and immediately send