This giveaway is closed. Congratulations Deanna!
I have a 10 year old son. It seems crazy to say it out loud, but it is true. I have so many things to be “worried” about as a mother of a tween. There are so many influences out there.. Video games, music, movies, TV, the Internet and even the phone – all pose a potential risk to my son. Since Evan is entering into 5th grade, he has to spend time online for school work. I can’t be in front of him every minute, so it is important that he understand the risks of the internet. A few years ago, he told me that I could no longer post his name and picture online – because it was dangerous! Try explaining to a 6 year old that if Mommy posts its ok, but not ok for him. Now that he is a little older, he understands the difference.
We have put very strict rules in place in our home about the usage of digital time. If you are looking for a place to get started, check out the Cox Take Charge Family Contract. This is a great starting point – it addresses some of the basics of promoting a healthy digital relationship with your child.
With Take Charge!, Cox is promoting the use of the parental controls and filtering tools already available in a digital home — on their cable TV, Internet, and telephone services. Through an easy-to-use, comprehensive new web site and a free resource guide, Cox is providing families with tools and resources to help them not only block content they find objectionable, but identify and get the most enjoyment out of exciting family-friendly content.
Here are some of the resources available:
:: Top 10 Tips for a Safe Digital Life
:: Top 10 Tips for Tween Online Safety
:: Tips & Tools from John Walsh
TWEET UP & GIVEAWAY
Join me and other bloggers for a John Walsh Safety Tweet Up on Thursday June 28th from 6-7pm EST
Be sure to follow @Cox_Com, JohnWalsh @JohnWalshAMW, Me @4themommas
Hashtag #CoxTakeCharge
To enter to win a $50.00 Amex Gift Card (you can enter twice):
Entry 1: Leave a comment with your tip for online/tv safety.
Entry 2: Tweet: Follow @4themommas and tweet “Learn more about child digital safety @4themommas & enter to win $50.00 http://bit.ly/NMTjfe #CoxTakeCharge” (leave another comment letting me know you tweeted)
Sharon says
Keep the computer in a well trafficked area and check on what your kids are doing frequently.
Stefanie G says
I would try to find out more about the tv show before letting the kids watch it!
Deanna G. says
I follow @4TheMommas on Twitter(@calidreamin87) & I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/calidreamin87/status/218794744518672386
Deanna G. says
Always watch your kids when they’re on the computer & watching TV.
Rachel says
I monitor their use & our computer is in a room where everyone can see what you are doing.
Staci A says
Always know what your children are watching/visiting online and explain safety rules often.
amy marantino says
monitor the history often… and take the time to talk to your kids about their interests and activities
Rebecca Shockley says
tweet
https://twitter.com/mngirlinssp/status/218525531346444290
Rebecca Shockley says
Online safety – Always monitor your child’s history and if this mean’s getting the software that tell’s you everywhere and every keystroke that has been looked at or typed, then do it.
Mari says
twitter follow + tweet
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/218504867809996802
Mari says
We limit tv till after school work is finished, and we supervise.
Angela says
I retweeted it! Learn more about child digital safety @4themommas & enter to win $50.00 http://bit.ly/NMTjfe #CoxTakeCharge
Angela says
Pay attention, don’t just look the other way because it’s easier.
Kelly D says
I follow you on twitter(Kellysaver) and tweeted
https://twitter.com/kellysaver/status/218450397587709952
Kelly D says
My tip is just to pay attention to what your kids are doing online. When my son gets older I am sure we will install some safety features.
Julie says
when my kids were younger, we shared a computer-so check on them…
Thabal says
There are browsers available just for the kids. It filters the content and kids cant manually type the url as well. It even filters the ad on the website visited. The best way – create a new login for the computer with access only to the kids browser. Safe way to go.
Rebecca H says
My daugther is only 15 months old and watches NO TV with me!
lala r says
check from time to time what your kid is browsing on the internet
amramazon280 at yahoo dot com
https://twitter.com/pinoysugarplum/status/218371471653875714
Erika says
Limited time and supervision!
Lynda Del says
I follow you on twitter. ID: Lyndadawinda
https://twitter.com/Lyndadawinda/status/218331091105349632
Lynda Del says
My tips are to only allow social network usage in a common area where you can easily monitor your kids, require all passwords of their social media accounts and limit their usage to 30 minutes at a time. Oh, and no chatrooms allowed!
anash says
my tip is to limit the time and dont allow them on social networks, period! Thanks for a super giveaway!
anash says
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/218262584875429889
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
anash says
I follow you on twitter @anashct3
Thanks for this lovely giveaway!
Email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
Monica Young says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/Monnie311/status/218259190395834369
Kenia says
I tweeted…
https://twitter.com/YamiYali/status/218212750856421378
Kenia says
My daughter wanted a facebook account so I told her the only way she was allowed to have one was if I made it for her and have her password. I double checked that everythign was private and I do not allow her to post pictures of her and monitor who she follows.
Regarding Tv, my husband blocks all channels they are not allowed to see and he programmed our tvs to turn off at 9 pm.
julie says
When posting pictures on FB, use privacy settings so that only friends can view album
Nanda says
My son is 17 and likes his privacy. I can’t be with of him every minute he is on the computer , so I think it is important that he understand the risks of the internet.
Mary C says
Tip – no computer in the child’s room.
Kelly D says
I follow you on twitter (kellysaver) and tweeted
https://twitter.com/kellysaver/status/218175120982814720
Kelly D says
My tip is to not let your children watch the tv or use the computer for too long unsupervised. It’s good to keep checking in on them. My kids are little still, but this will be a concern soon.
Tiffany Winner says
@thismomwins followed you on twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/thismomwins/status/218160702584659969
thismomwins@gmail.com
Tiffany Winner says
we dont let laptops into bedrooms, living room only where its in the open
thismomwins@gmail.com
Stacey B says
Following you as @amomofboys & tweeted https://twitter.com/aMomOfBoys/status/218122776584781824
Stacey B says
A tip for online safety is to never leave your kids unsupervised on the computer.
Wendy T says
http://twitter.com/won2x/status/218110435470225408
Wendy T says
My tip is to trust your gut. Almost every single time I’ve heard that little voice inside me telling me to check closer – there was a reason to do so. I think if we are still and listen to ourselves, we will know how to parent to keep our children safe. Some want to not listen though – because then they’d have to act.
Deanna says
I tweeted – https://twitter.com/giveaway_mommy/status/218102726964420609
Deanna says
Supervise kids when they are on the computer by having the computer in a main room like the living room.
Jessie C. says
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/218098538230464515
Jessie C. says
We use parental control in addition to always accompany with kids while they’re online and watching TV.
Jessica T. says
We have our TV and computer in the same room so that I always know what my son is watching or what website he is on.
Christina says
My kids are are fairly young so they do not use the Internet often, but there are a lot of great parental control programs that allow you to monitor Internet usage. Also it is always a good idea if you allow your children to have a Facebook account that you friend them so you can monitor their friends and comments.
debbie jackson says
keep computers and tv’s in family areas and out of the bedrooms debbie jackson,
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com
gifty says
Never click a stranger’s email with suspicious title.
eunice b says
https://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/218054988230950913
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
eunice b says
Always remember that nothing is private…although we like to think it is, and keep it in full view of the entire family.
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Livivua Chandler says
i would check cookies and cache or pages they viewed
Livivua Chandler says
https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/218047083620470786 – tweeted
Trung Nguyen says
follow and tweet: https://twitter.com/cistran/status/218044226536095744
Trung Nguyen says
All computers and TVs are in the family room, and there are strict times and hours our kids can use them.
Susan Salerno says
I tweeted the giveaway. @tsgsusans
Susan Salerno says
I don’t allow my daughter to be on the computer unless I am in the room with her so that I am able to monitor.
Amber says
Make sure it is in a room where people always. Don’t have the TV or computer tucked away somewhere.
Amy says
Digital devices in family areas. Responsibility earns trust and privileges.
sheri grennille says
all electronics are in the living room and have us able to look at at any time.
Katy P says
I always stay with my daughter when she is on the internet- we have password protection as well.
Jennifer B says
I have the computer where I can see it and I check history and have passwords to all social sites.
Candice says
Limit internet time, and always supervise.
Wendy Pesce says
We have our family computer in the family room. Kids also know I check the history periodically. Older kids have Facebook accounts and mom and dad HAVE to be friended
Camiele says
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted it.
Camiele says
We keep our computer in the family room.
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/218020094113095680
Elena says
I set up the parental control on my child’s computer and keep his computer in a family room.
Tabathia B says
tweet
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/218017552490692608
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B says
I actually have a computer in our main room and I keep an eye on what my kids do and check the browser history also
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Lydia (Thrifty, Frugal Mom) says
Use a family friendly filter….and be very alert.
Mami2jcn says
I follow you on Twitter (mami2jcn) and tweeted.
Mami2jcn says
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/217994371222605825
Mami2jcn says
Never leave a child unsupervised on the computer.
Peggy says
Tweeted!
Margaret P. says
Keep the computer in the family room so whatever your kids are looking at is in full view of the whole family.