Thanks Tricia!
Here are some ideas for parents who aren't always around when their children are online as well as general safety ideas:
1) Talk to your children about what they do online and ask them what they know about internet safety. Make sure that they know what is and is not allowed when they are not supervised.
2) When you suspect inappropriate behavior, ask first then investigate.
3) Get online yourself and explore sites that kids spend time on like MySpace, Facebook, Xanga, Webkins etc.
4) Limit online time (use software if necessary).
5) Establish clear rules ahead of time.
6) Expect but don't accept deception.
7) Don't over-react, but be clear about what you find concerning about the internet in general and about your child's presence online.
8) If you do investigate, keep a good balance between privacy/freedom of expression and snooping
9)Check the history, internet cache, cookies, temp files etc. if you suspect inappropriate behavior.
10) If necessary, consider software to record online activity or to limit online time.
Some helpful and inexpensive software resources include:
Friday, February 29, 2008
What is Cyberpsychology?
Why have I chosen to describe myself as a cyberpsychologist? What is a psyberpsychologist (sic)? I realize the term is somewhat of a neologism, however many new words and phrased begin as such. Here is the wikipedia definiton of cypberpsychology:
"The developing field of cyberpsychology encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted by emerging technology. Cyber comes from the word cybernetics, the study of the operation of control and communication; psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Cyberpsychology is the study of human mind and behavior in the context of human-technology interaction. However, mainstream research studies seem to focus on the impact of the Internet and cyberspace on the psychology of individuals and groups."
Some of the essential psychological aspects of cyberspace include the following:
I chose the term cyberpsychologist based upon my interest in and knowledge of technology and internet based social interactions as well as my experience as a psychologist. I am interested in how parents, teens, and children interact online. How and why do we act differently online? What factors can lead to problems? Which technologies are changing? Are there generational differences that cause family communication problems? What is the connection between online and real-life selves?
Furthermore, much of my work involves tele-therapy (internet or telephone based therapy) and my area of expertise is in technology, online safety, and parenting. Curious about how many see the internet as an extension of themselves or of there minds, I want to learn more about how we interact in this other virtual "world" that we have created.
"The developing field of cyberpsychology encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted by emerging technology. Cyber comes from the word cybernetics, the study of the operation of control and communication; psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Cyberpsychology is the study of human mind and behavior in the context of human-technology interaction. However, mainstream research studies seem to focus on the impact of the Internet and cyberspace on the psychology of individuals and groups."
Some of the essential psychological aspects of cyberspace include the following:
- limited sensory experience
- identity flexibility and anonymity
- equalization of status
- stretching of temporal and spatial boundaries
- access to numerous relationships
- permanent records
I chose the term cyberpsychologist based upon my interest in and knowledge of technology and internet based social interactions as well as my experience as a psychologist. I am interested in how parents, teens, and children interact online. How and why do we act differently online? What factors can lead to problems? Which technologies are changing? Are there generational differences that cause family communication problems? What is the connection between online and real-life selves?
Furthermore, much of my work involves tele-therapy (internet or telephone based therapy) and my area of expertise is in technology, online safety, and parenting. Curious about how many see the internet as an extension of themselves or of there minds, I want to learn more about how we interact in this other virtual "world" that we have created.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Welcome!
There is a technology generation gap between parents and their children. As I look around online, talk to parents, teenagers, and younger kids (all who are spending time online) I notice more and more that parents often have a very different opinion and idea about internet safety than their children do. While one mom was asking me how to look at a video on YouTube, her son told me about the video he saw on YouTube about how to download free (and illegal) movies and videos. Dad has a hard time figuring out whether it is safe or not to pay his bills online while his daughters are sending instant messages, posting on FaceBook or MySpace, reading messages someone posted, and adding photos to their profiles.
The difference in comfort and use of technology between parents and children can often lead parents to become afraid or paranoid. Many a parent has approached me, terrified that their child or teenager will be abducted because he or she posted a home address or name on a profile. Others parents say they are afraid of what their children are doing online, but that they don't know how to do anything about it because they aren't so comfortable with technology.
My goal for this blog is to help parents understand and become more educated and comfortable with technology based communication and socialization, to help teenagers and children to make the right decisions regarding what they do online, and finally to highlight the real risks, concerns, and dangers of online social activity.
This is a beginning, and has come from the experience I have as a technology fiend and as a clinical psychologist. I have been fortunate to have begun speaking on the subjects of internet safety and online socializing to schools, parent groups, professional organizations, and with individual families. Please let me know your thoughts, ideas, or any questions you might have. I have created my psychology practice website (drfred.net) and am in the process of developing thecyberpsychologist.com, where I will be sharing information, guidelines, helpful resources, and links on internet safety and psychology.
Future topics will address safety rules for parents, the TRUE dangers of internet social connections, cyber bullying, tips for kids and teens, should parents snoop?, teen identity and the internet, and many other topics. I am very open to your suggestions as well!
This video from the Ad Council is one of many that makes a good point about how kids and teens say things online that they would not likely say in person, an example of the Online Disinhibition Effect.
The difference in comfort and use of technology between parents and children can often lead parents to become afraid or paranoid. Many a parent has approached me, terrified that their child or teenager will be abducted because he or she posted a home address or name on a profile. Others parents say they are afraid of what their children are doing online, but that they don't know how to do anything about it because they aren't so comfortable with technology.
My goal for this blog is to help parents understand and become more educated and comfortable with technology based communication and socialization, to help teenagers and children to make the right decisions regarding what they do online, and finally to highlight the real risks, concerns, and dangers of online social activity.
This is a beginning, and has come from the experience I have as a technology fiend and as a clinical psychologist. I have been fortunate to have begun speaking on the subjects of internet safety and online socializing to schools, parent groups, professional organizations, and with individual families. Please let me know your thoughts, ideas, or any questions you might have. I have created my psychology practice website (drfred.net) and am in the process of developing thecyberpsychologist.com, where I will be sharing information, guidelines, helpful resources, and links on internet safety and psychology.
Future topics will address safety rules for parents, the TRUE dangers of internet social connections, cyber bullying, tips for kids and teens, should parents snoop?, teen identity and the internet, and many other topics. I am very open to your suggestions as well!
This video from the Ad Council is one of many that makes a good point about how kids and teens say things online that they would not likely say in person, an example of the Online Disinhibition Effect.
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