Technology at Home

In recent years, Barrington 220 has worked with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General High-Tech Crime Bureau on the topic of Internet safety. Several of our schools have hosted presentations by Internet safety specialist Melissa Hemzacek, Licensed Social Worker, who has spoken with student and parent groups. The following links are provided by the Illinois Attorney General:

• Illinois Attorney General Internet Safety- To help inform parents and educators about our children’s online activities and to assist in their efforts to educate our youth regarding responsible and safe online behavior, the Attorney General’s Office provides several resources. (Description adapted from www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.)

• NetSmartz Workshop - The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline. The program is designed for children ages 5-17, parents/guardians, educators, and law enforcement. (Description adapted from www.netsmartz.org.)

• Family Online Safety Institute - This international, non-profit organization works to make the online world safer for kids and their families. (Description adapted from www.fosi.org.)

• Growing Wireless - While most kids feel comfortable using wireless technologies, some parents may need an online resource to help them keep up-to-date on the latest mobile products and services their kids’ may use. (Description adapted from www.growingwireless.com.) 

View a presentation by Melissa Hemzacek, Navigating the Digital Pitfalls of Today's Youth (May 2014).

Cyberbullying is when someone is harassed, humiliated, or threatened by another person using the Internet or a cell phone. Despite their benefits, these technologies make us vulnerable to bullying anywhere and at any time. The Stop Cyberbullying website provides a variety of resources for kids, teenagers, parents, and educators seeking information and advice about cyberbullying. (Adapted from illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/cyberbullying.)

Illinois Attorney General Stop Cyberbullying

• Tips for Parents & Guardians

• Tips for Kids & Teens

More cyberbullying resources: 

Cyberbullying Research Center - This site is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.

StopBullying.gov - This site provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.

The Smart Talk is an online activity that allows parents and children to get together and have a clear conversation about technology devices and online responsibility. This activity results in a set of home guidelines in the form of a contract that can be signed by the parent and child.

Visit https://thesmarttalk.org.

Many parents and educators use Common Sense Media as their first stop when discussing all types of media with their children, including: apps, games, online privacy, social networking, movies in theaters, TV shows, screen time, and many other media-related topics. Common Sense Media is dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology, empowering parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives. (Description adapted from www.commonsensemedia.org.)

Visit www.commonsensemedia.org.

A short video from Common Sense Media offers five practical pointers to help parents understand and manage the lives of their digital kids.

1. Calm Down

2. Embrace Their Digital World

3. Find Balance

4. Provide Alternatives

5. Be the Parent

Watch video - Common Sense Tips for Digital Generation Parents (6:46)