I received a trial subscription of TrueCare through a program called BzzAgent. I found that TrueCare was simple to use and could be a benefit to parents concerned with their childrens social networking. When you enroll you either set the program up using your children's Facebook, Twitter etc.. information or you send an email to your children and they activate the program. Once activated the program will send you email notifications when key phrases and words trigger the program. One tip though edit the word list to fit what you know your children and their friends use when speaking or you can get numerous notifications on harmless behaviour. Below is an email I received about TrueCare about signs showing cyber abuse and links to use for a trial subscription and TrueCare Facebook and Twitter links.
TrueCare has compiled a list of warning signs that your child might be a victim of cyber abuse. What’s cyber abuse? It’s rumors, threats, gossip or humiliation that happen through email, websites, blogs, chat rooms, text and instant messaging, or videos. Read over the list, share it with other parents and pay close attention to your child’s behavior.
10 signs your child might be a victim of cyber abuse:
1. Your child becomes secretive about what they are doing online
2. Uses computers outside of home, such as at homes of friends, Internet
cafes, or libraries
3. Has a sudden decline in homework or grades
4. Doesn’t feel well, headaches, stomach aches, nervousness
5. Is restless, has difficulty sleeping
6. Shows changes in behavior or has mood swings
7. Becomes withdrawn or displays low self-esteem
8. Does not want to go to school or socialize
9. Avoids telling you who their online friends are
10. No longer wants to use the computer or cell phone
TrueCare on TV
Let us introduce you to Mike Muir from the National Middle School Association and Alison Rhodes, an authority on safety, wellness and healthy living who’s also known as “The Safety Mom.” These two appeared on Lifetime Television’s morning talk show “The Balancing Act” to discuss cyber bullies, sexting, predators and other online dangers and how TrueCare can help parents deal with these dangers. If you missed it, click here or tune in on August 23rd at 7am (EST) to view the segment.
Join TrueCare
Click the http://www.truecare.com/bzzagent link, and you'll get a 60-day free trial. If you decide to continue their TrueCare membership, it’ll cost just $9.99 a month
Connect with TrueCare
Get the latest in online safety news and updates by liking TrueCare on Facebook and following them on Twitter . Feel free to invite your friends to connect with TrueCare as well.
15 comments:
what a great article. I have no young children but I think there is never too many warnings to pass on to parents about what their children are dealing with now. Great Job Michelle. susan Leech
I too think it is a great article. As with Susan I have not children, but I have loads of neices and nephews.. I will pass this on to their parents...
Great blog Michelle... Good luck
Great post, Michelle, and very informative; thanks for sharing! Your new Blog looks great and CONGRATS on getting it started! I keep thinking I should be brave and venture into one also....!
hugs, Kari Thomas, www.authorkari.com
Useful information. A must read for parents who have children in this cyber age.
BTW- like the blog digs. Love the simple elegance of the layout.
Congratulations on your new blog - it looks great!
My children were older before we got our first computer but parents really have to pay attention, especially with all that's going on in today's world. That would include the phones and especially those with internet connections.
catslady
this sound great and i hope it will catch on we have been having cyber stalking here in mo and it werird one was teacher and one was a police officers some one they trust
Thank you everyone for stopping by and the positive feedback (newbie nerves). Having 2 teenage children one who uses Twitter and the other uses Facebook we have run into some of the cyber abuse and predators. I'm always trying to keep them a little safer but at the same time don't want to limit the opportunities technology gives them.
Welcome to the blogging world! You certainly started off strong with looks and content! I have a child who's become old enough to use facebook to keep in contact with friends and family. We don't use any programs, we monitor her usage the old fashioned way and she has learned that our ways are very effective. *evil laugh* She has already lost her privileges once for nearly a year because of abusive behviour...i.e.we deemed her to be a cyber bully and would not tolerate it. She had to earn back her privilege and now uses her time online wisely.
How do we know? By the same methods we used to detect the problem initially. We only have one computer for our children to use and it's in the living room; we look over her shoulder at random occasions to see who she's talking with and what's being said; and we check her private messages and chat histories. No objection is allowed, this is a privilege after all. She is also not allowed to "friend" anyone she doesn't know personally (yes that means no celebrity pages)and all of her privacy settings are set to keep her safe.
I like the idea of a software to help with this, but it's been my experience that nothing compares to making your kids realize you are literally watching what they're doing. It makes them really consider what they're doing and why.
Ok, I've rambled on enough (sorry). Good luck with keeping your kids safe. It's not easy, especially this day in age. And good job with your first foray into the blogging world.
~Renee
@desithblonde, the post came through so blogger and/or your comp didn't object. It is always the hardest when the criminals are the ones we are supposed to rely on.
@museampoule thanks for stopping in and ramble all you want I love hearing everyones opinions on things. I agree with the personal monitoring, my oldest has lost her computer privilages for posting things she shouldn't etc.. I do random checks and am the one who maintains the computers. The programs I've found just add a second layer in case I miss something.
Congratulations on the new website! It's looks so nice...*S*
I so agree with protection for the children.
Ironically I have been stalked by 2 trolls for the last 10 years,
and it is not been a pleasant experience in the least.
It kept me offline for about 4 years because they have no boundaries that they will not cross.
These 2 are scary people who have tormented innocent people, and one of them assaulted an innocent man. I would not want any child or parent have their child be confronted by the twisted 2 I have been tormented by. Parents need to monitor where their children go online because there are those out there that no qualms in victimizing a child. If not for my daughter & DH making sure my computer has a couple of real good firewalls, and other software there is no way I would be surfing now. My 2 trolls are things nightmares are made from, but now that I know their real names and their personal information they keep their distance for the time being. I have copied your links for my son & dil for when they decide to allow their children on the net. Thank you for this awesome information an helping to help people to help themselves.....*S* You rock!
Darcy
@Pommawolf Thanks for coming by, still gotta work out a few kinks but hopefully I'll have it all straight before long. Got a couple of authors that are going to come play as soon as I figure out what I'm doing. I'm glad you have been able to find the personal info on the stalkers and put a stop to them. I wish there was more that could be done for cyber abuse but the laws are still being developed that will be useful though they have made a lot of advances in recent years.
Congratulations on your new clog Michelle. I like the way it looks. I don't have any children still living at home, but I work with middle and high school children in an after school program. We teach them how to repair and refurbish computers. One of the main thing we teach them is Internet Safety and the importance of it. We connect with the parents and give them the same list you have posted here. We stress with the students the fact that cyber bullys are out there, how to recognize them, and what to do when someone they know is being harrased by a cyber bully.
Your article comes at a great time for parents as school has just started and we need to remind parents and their children of cyber bully's.
Thank you for getting this message out there through your blog. I will be telling parents to check it out.
P.S. I will be following you by email.
reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com
@Nay Nay thank you for visiting. My own children starting school and getting even more active online is part of what prompted this post. I have one that uses twitter and one using Facebook almost constantly when online so I try to use every means possible to keep up. I'm also glad to hear your program is teaching children themselves and the parents so many times the children are overlooked and then run into problems because they just don't know any better.
Hi Michelle, you've designed a very nice blog. Beautiful shades of red, it feels like the curtains are about to open. I hope you're enjoying the blogging world. Congratulations!
Hi Chris Thanks for visiting. Haven't made up my mind whether I like it yet or not, LOL.
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