Mike talking to parents

Check out this video:

Written by Mike Domitrz on December 11, 2008

Kids online activities and Parent Monitoring

How many hours a month do you think pre-teens and teenagers are online? On average, most kids are spending 20 hours online. Most kids between the ages of 13 – 17 believe their parents have no clue as to what their activities are online.  imagine the freedom college brings 1st year students and their online explorations.  Here’s what they do, where they go, who they meet:

Friendships.
35% of our children ages 8-17 have made friends online 50 % of U.S. of our teens ages 13-17 claim to have made friends online 33% of children prefer spending time with their online friends rather than their offline friends

Social networking.
76% of our teens. teens ages 13-17 "constantly," "frequently" or "sometimes" visit social networking sites.

Shopping online.
35% of kids report being "very confident" or "confident" in shopping online.  Do you know where your credit card is?

Getting requests for personal information.
42% of kids ages 13-17 have received an online request for personal information.

Being approached by strangers.
16 percent of them have been approached online by a stranger; however, U.S. adults believe that just 6 percent of children have been approached online by a stranger.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?  Learn about online monitoring programs and software packages.  They can track EVERY little detail for you (from Instant Messaging to every visit online).  At the same time, you need to continually TALK with pre-teens and teenagers about the internet.  When they are at a friend’s house, your monitoring software is not going to do any good.  Educate them and empower them.

What program do you use for monitoring?  What do you like about it?  Help other parents by sharing with us here on the blog.

Written by Mike Domitrz on February 15, 2008

Parents and Teens, Let’s Talk About Sex

What is the message parents are giving their children when it comes to sex education?   For the most part, is seems to be nervousness.  You can read examples in the following article:

Kids continually tell stories about how awkward their parents acted when giving them “the talk”.  Is that the message parents should be sending; that sex and talking about sex is awkward and let’s get the conversation over with as soon as possible? 

Parents need tools to help them talk.  Here is a neat approach:  Our bodies are the only thing we truly can call our own.  As the owner, you decide how it’s treated, who touches it, what we feed it, and how we take care of it. 

This is the message we should be sending our children when it comes to sex and teen violence.  Discuss the emotions involved with sex.  Talk about what love is; respect, open communication, consent, boundaries and what love isn’t; manipulation, intimidation, jealousy, control, violence.   

Remember, your child is your biggest mirror.  The attitudes and behavior regarding sex or any aspect of your life will mimic itself in your child.  Check your attitudes and behaviors and readjust if necessary.

Written by Mike Domitrz on January 31, 2008

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