Snap Chat Mobile App – What is it?

SnapChat is a mobile app available on Apple and droid devices. that allows users to connect and take a picture and write a short message and share it with other Snapchat users that are listed as friends.  You can set the time allowed to view the picture.  Once the timer is up, the picture is no longer available on either the sender or receiver's phone.

SnapChat – Why Should I Worry?
1.  SnapChat & Sexting

SnapChat was built seemingly to conquer the ill's of sexting and taking inappropriate pictures.  Just look at the marketing picture provided by SnapChat.  It's difficult to tell if those girls are clothed or not.  Our kids should understand the consequences of taking and sending inappropriate pictures.  This application may offer a false sense of privacy to young users.

2.  SnapChat friends

You can … Read More »

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Internet Safety and OpenDNS

When trying to provide Internet Safety for the home, web filtering is one of the hot topics for parents. OpenDNS is a FREE web filtering service.  Once implemented, it filters traffic for your entire network.

It filters traffic for ALL Internet enabled devices:

Game Consoles
Mobile Devices (iTouch, iPhone, Android, iPad)
BluRay Players
Computers
Laptops

Let me repeat:

OpenDNS filters all traffic for ANY device connected to your Network!!
How does OpenDNS work?
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DNS Explained

DNS “Domain Name System (DNS) is a service that occurs in the background of your Internet traffic.  Think of it as an address book for the Internet.  Every website has an IP address let's say 64.53.25.35.  It is a unique IP address and your communication with that website is through that address.   However, it would be difficult to have a list of favorite 'IP addresses.'  Instead, websites have … Read More »

Kids love Netflix!

We dropped our cable two years ago. I LOVE TV, but was not satisfied with the cable bills and the programming available. We have had Netflix streaming since we made the switch.

I love Netflix!

Especially for my kids! I was used to having a DVR and being able to turn on a show for the kids during the day. Netflix is the best substitute with all of the selection of streaming content they have available.

What’s the problem with Netflix for Kids?

There are too many Netflix enabled devices!  It would be impossible to physically monitor all of the devices.

Netflix in my home

We do have a streaming account.

One kid can turn it on.

I have parental controls enabled.

We have a Blu-Ray Player, Wii Nintendo system, iPad, iTouch, and iPhone.

My kids usually watch something on Netflix at least once a day. Lately a … Read More »

Securemama Speaks on YouTube for Kids!

I was recently on a local TV program to talk about YouTube safety Tips. I have recently created an updated post with more helpful hint for parents to know how to protect their kids.  Scroll down to see the TV clip!

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We all love YouTube!

It can be very entertaining (The laughing yoga videos are my new favorite).

It can be very educational.

It can be inspiring.

Overall, it's great tool and it's not going away.

But is there a YouTube for Kids?

The scenario is very familiar. We let the kids watch something on YouTube. It's a very entertaining video. They are then displayed similar videos. They can easily click through series of videos. Here's the problem:

This trail of YouTube videos can … Read More »

Don’t put your kids out to sea! Teach them how to do a google safe search!

During the BYU Women’s Conference, the most common question I received was, “I have web filter installed (K9, or NetNanny).  Why do I sometimes get bad images coming up on Google?  There was a cute little grandma that said, “My Granddaughter's name is Lily.  She typed “Lily Love” into the search bar.  You wouldn't believe the images that came up!!  AND I had K9 running at the time!” Apparently there is a 'Lily Love' in the adult entertainment community.

My answer .. “You need to turn on google safe search.”

What is google safe search?

Explained .. The web filters installed and running on your computer ALLOW content from google, or any other search engine.  The search engine itself should have a safe search setting.  This would … Read More »