Safe Search Kids - Education, Parenting, Internet Safety for All

The topic of mental health has never been more relevant in public discourse, but one group of people still aren’t getting their due attention: children. The mental wellness (or lack thereof) of today’s kids and teens will determine humanity’s future, so it’s imperative that we shed more light on the mental struggles of those age groups.

Here are five digital resources you should try to fight the stigma of youth mental illness and foster a supportive environment for kids who need help.

1.  Coping Skills for Kids

Kids have trouble expressing their mental states because they don’t have the maturity or experience to know how they should react. As a result, they often resort to emotional outbursts that leave their mental health worse off than before. The usual response to a child’s meltdown is to let them get the emotions out of their system, followed by an obligatory “calm down” https://www.safesearchkids.com/5-digital-resources-for-fighting-the-stigma-of-mental-illness/from the parents and possible punishment.

However, a tantrum might be more complex than adults think. It could be a cry for help and a sign of deeper problems. Adults must demonstrate proper coping skills so kids can avoid future outbursts and channel their emotions in a more constructive way. That’s where “Coping Skills for Kids” comes in.

“Coping Skills for Kids” has many mindfulness resources to help children calm down and voice their feelings. Teaching kids healthy coping skills early on will help us understand and appreciate what they’re going through and find a solution before it leads to more mental decline.

2.  Anxiety Relief (Psych Central)

Anxiety is the second-most prevalent mental condition among children after ADHD, but it’s also the most misunderstood condition. Parents might see common symptoms of anxiety in their children – irritability, constant worrying, trouble concentrating, sleeping problems, etc. –  and assume they’re simple growing pains that all kids experience.

All kids have their emotional and behavioral pitfalls, but that doesn’t mean you should brush off the telltale signs of anxiety so easily. Instead, you should help your children seek anxiety relief with resources from Psych Central. This site has guides to help parents flesh out their kids’ anxiety along with quizzes and inspirational stories.

These resources also help parents improve their awareness of anxiety, depression and other common mental issues. Identifying the symptoms before they cause further damage is crucial to a child’s healthy development.

3.  The Media and Body Image (Mirror-Mirror)

TV, the internet and social media have had disastrous effects on youth body image. Kids are exposed to supermodels, professional athletes and other idealized versions of people from a young age, establishing unrealistic expectations and causing harmful body image disorders – body dysmorphia, anorexia and bulimia, to name a few.

Although we usually associate body image issues with girls, boys are just as susceptible. Boys are just less likely to ask for help than girls due to long-standing social norms. This problem is one of the many stigmas about youth mental health that need addressing.

Mirror-Mirror is a platform that highlights the causes and effects of body image disorders – both in boys and girls. The site excels at demonstrating the media’s various tactics and how young people respond to them. This information is crucial for parents, as they must monitor what their children watch and take swift action to eliminate harmful content that might lead to mental health issues.

Excessive media consumption is bad for a child’s development no matter what they’re watching. As the adult who controls what your kids consume, you must do your part to deconstruct the false reality that the media has built. Mirror-Mirror can help you along the way.

4.  Recognizing Learning Disabilities in Teens (Parenthetical)

People have raised many valid criticisms about the modern education system, but we don’t pay quite as much attention to the students within the system. Learning disabilities are also much more prevalent in kids and teens than we realize. Some studies estimate that one in five students has a learning disorder and millions of cases go unidentified.

Rather than placing full blame on the system, parents and teachers must pay more attention to spot learning disabilities and provide students with a more suitable educational setting. “Parenthetical” from the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides resources to help adults recognize learning disabilities in teens and tweens.

UW is one of the best schools for psychology in the U.S., often collaborating with the National Center for Learning Disabilities to carry out research. Parenthetical is a blog with information from both organizations to educate adult mentors about youth mental disorders and the best ways to deal with them.

5.  Erika’s Lighthouse

Continuing with the emphasis on learning and education, Erika’s Lighthouse is a non-profit organization that raises awareness about youth depression through programs in school communities. These programs are built on four pillars:

• Classroom education
• Teen empowerment
• Family engagement
• School policy and staff

Early identification and intervention are vital for helping young people address their mental struggles, but this task can look different as kids get older. Erika’s Lighthouse covers specific age groups, moving from introductory programs about depression to deeper discussions about body image, suicide and other topics that become more relevant in the teenage years.

These programs also connect family life with school life. Ending the stigma around youth mental health requires close collaboration between parents and teachers, and Erika’s Lighthouse gives you the resources to do so.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Today’s children face extreme pressure from parents, schools and the media. The only way we can improve their collective mental health is by rethinking all three factors. These five resources will help you keep fighting the good fight and create a more supportive world where kids can be open and honest about their mental health.

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!

So, your little ones are almost two now, which means you have to start thinking about their schooling now.  Yes, the thought is jarring, and the sole fact of parting with your baby for the first time induces all kinds of separation anxiety. Therefore, it is very important that you select the right school for your little one.

Whether it is just a preschool or a school which will suffice their entire education till high school graduation, the right school will shape their characteristics and future. If you are looking for ways to look for one, then you have reached the right place.

In this excerpt below, we will be discussing some of the common tips for choosing the right school for your child before you start searching for a school near me.

Read back, and take notes!

Why A Good School Is Important

When we talk about strong stepping stones which essentially shape a child’s future, their school is one of the pioneer stepping stones. So, why is it so important?

– School is the first step to getting rid of something called separation anxiety, which every kid feels. This is why many kids who have started their education through homeschooling or online education face difficulties in going back to school. Their parents are all they are accustomed to.

– Schools give everyone a great opportunity to socialize and increase their social skills. Yes, education is a part of it, but do not forget this is a place where your little one will meet fellow schoolmates from every social and cultural background. This is where the concept of friendship begins.

– CBSE Schools believe that education is not just about learning calculus and mathematics. It is also about understanding how the world outside their home works and how to get habituated to it.

– Good manners and a good grasp of social skills is what a school should be giving your child.

Tips On How To Choose

Now to the point which you have been waiting for. Here are some of the common tips which can help you to choose the right skill. We have collected these from parents who have already got their best picks.

1. Talk To The Administrators

There is no way you can understand the inner workings of a particular school if you do not ask questions. Some of the common ways are to talk to the admission board or the query department of the school. Ask them about every question which could be bothering you.

Suppose you are still not sure, then how about making a special appointment and speaking to the principal? It is not just about what they say but how they say it. The body language and behavioral traits of the person heading the school have to do a lot with impression.

This is why communication is so important before you choose a school, do not choose one without testing it yourself.

2. Observe The Classes

Talking about testing, don’t you always wish to see how your little ones are taught? Some schools offer the parents an exclusive opportunity to observe a few classes. This will give you a distinct idea of the way of teaching the school is pursuing.

Whether it is the pattern that you are looking for in your child. So, the next time you search for schools near me, check whether your list of schools offers this facility. This is also an excellent antimonial of their credibility and the confidence they possess in their teachings.

3. Get First Hand Feedback

First-hand feedback is from the parents. They are a good source if you wish to understand every hidden detail of the school. After all, they are not an advocate of the school. They just want the good for their children, just like you.

Plus, they themselves get a first-hand account of the school from their kids. So, try to get in contact with some of the parents and ask them questions. Especially queries like-

– What about the teacher’s behavior towards the children?

– What are some of their anti-bullying policies?

– Safety measures in school.

Things which can protect your children and save them from any traumatic experience.

4. Check Their Websites

A well-presented online platform is proof of a good school. Since most of the lesson plans are getting online, parents are able to get enough information from the online platform.

However, if you are someone who is planning to get your little one into a school, first try to check the website. Not only will you get ample amounts of information on the website, but how this information is presented can also speak volumes about the school.

5. Check Their Extracurricular Activities

A school is not just about education; it is more about learning something beyond the bookish knowledge. A good skill which is interested in the overall development and growth of the children will be focusing heavily on extracurricular activities as well.

Yes, you would want your child to get high scores, but not every child’s expertise will lie in academia. Thus, through a good school, they will be able to get the exposure to test their potential to test and understand their gifted abilities.

6. Check Their Scores

A good scoreboard for the tenth and twelve boards is an important detail which you shouldn’t miss out on. Do not just go for the highest marks but the overall average score that the school is about to achieve.

This gives a good account of the school’s contribution to such serious examination preparations.

What Your Child Needs

The school’s quality is important, no doubt, but your child’s needs are what you should make a priority. If your child is agile and great with their sports, then why not look for a school which has sports scholarships for colleges?

If your child is still facing difficulties with their verbal communication, then look for a school which gives excellent preschool safety measures and facilities before the child goes to the actual classes.

They should be able to take care of your child holistically.

Our dependence on technology grows, and so does cybersecurity’s importance. Criminals can take advantage of unsuspecting victims in myriad ways.  By comprehending the risks, you can take steps to protect yourself and your family from becoming victims of cybercrime.

We’ve put together this guide to the top cybersecurity threats.

Be Careful When Posting Private Information

Nowadays is highly important to understand social boundaries. Your personal information, which includes your full name, address, date of birth, and phone number, should not be public on your social media account.

Avoid posting images of awkward personal moments to your home addresses or family vacation plans.

The most valuable part of AI is using NLP (natural language processing) to decode words generally used in pretexting. One common tactic for an attacker is to pose as a legitimate entity to trick a victim into revealing confidential information.

Post carefully; by being careful, you can help protect yourself from becoming the next victim of cybercrime.

In addition, you can also help to educate your friends and family members by reminding them about cybersecurity risks. We can work together to help make the internet safer for everyone. If you or your friend are under a cybersecurity attack, report it immediately to authorities.

Participate In Security Awareness Training

Cybersecurity awareness training can help to mitigate these risks by teaching you how to spot potential threats and take steps to protect your data. In addition, cybersecurity awareness training can also provide the latest information on cybersecurity trends.

Participating in internet security awareness training is essential in the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.

The Risk Of Accidentally Downloading Malware

Cyber attacks are becoming more targeted and more sophisticated. Be aware of the risks you face when using the internet.

One common online threat is accidentally downloading malware. Malware is malicious software that can wreak havoc on your computer, stealing personal information or damaging files.

It can be complicated to spot, disguised as a legitimate website or email attachment. That’s why it’s important to learn about cybersecurity and how to stay safe online.

By doing so, you’ll help yourself avoid accidentally downloading malware and other risks associated with the internet.

Inappropriate Marketing Messages

Another risk commonly faced online is inappropriate marketing messages or online fraud. Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous individuals out there who are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users.

Some common signs that an online predator may target you include receiving unsolicited messages or requests for personal information, being inundated with advertising messages, or asking to click on links that lead to questionable websites.

If you notice these red flags, you must talk to a friend or someone with experience in these online scam cases.

Stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends. Be aware of the signs of this type of activity, so you prevent from becoming a victim.

Harmful Content and Disinformation

Be aware of the types of content you may be exposed to online. This can include hateful, harmful, or illegal content and disinformation. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to protect yourself from all of this content.

However, there are some things that you can do to help reduce exposure to it. One thing that you can do is to talk more about cybersecurity and learn the importance of being careful about what you search or share online.

Additionally, watch trusty tutorials, read guidelines on spotting fake news, and require that they only share information from reliable sources.

Mobile Device Vulnerabilities

Mobile devices are increasingly becoming one of the primary cybersecurity targets. As we become more and more reliant on our smartphones, vulnerabilities are becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

Cybersecurity experts predict that by 2022, mobile devices will be the most common target for cyberattacks.

There are a few reasons for this trend:

1. Mobile devices are notoriously difficult to secure. Even the most basic smartphones have many built-in features that hackers can exploit.
2. Mobile device users are generally less security-conscious than users of other types of devices. We tend to download apps without considering the implications and click on links without considering the consequences.
3. Mobile devices are often connected to unsecured networks, making them an easy target for attacks.

While there is no easy solution to the problem of mobile device vulnerabilities, awareness is critical. By understanding the risks, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our data.

Cyber Predators

As much as we want to protect ourselves from online’s dangers, unfortunately, there are times when we fail to achieve this goal. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to be just as vigilant about cybersecurity risks, especially regarding our kids.

The number of cyber predators is increasing. AI usage and machine learning will continue to grow in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity professionals are already using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help identify and thwart attacks.

Cyber and other online predators often stalk children on the internet. They take advantage of their innocence, lack adult supervision, and abuse their trust.

These predators lurk in the same virtual venues where anonymity facilitates cyberbullying. Some of these virtual venues are social media and gaming platforms that exploit children’s innocence and their gift of imagination.

Check out the FBI’s guidance in protecting against predators and other online risks to child safety.

Investing In Cyber Hygiene

Cyber hygiene is more important than ever. That’s because cybersecurity is a top concern for businesses of all sizes. Spending on cybersecurity products and services and training and awareness programs.

What do you have to do to enhance your cybersecurity?

First, make sure you have a firm cyber security policy in place. Second, training on how to spot potential threats and how to respond to them.

Finally, stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends and ensure you use the best security practices. Doing these things can help reduce the risk of a cyber attack and keep your business safe.

Conclusion

The internet can pose severe dangers and open doors of wonder for them that previous generations could not have dreamed of. Help ensure your online safety by experiencing the online world’s joys and opportunities and avoiding hazards.

Each participating member holds power to positively or negatively affect their cyber ecosystem. Everyone must acknowledge their cyber role based on their position in the ecosystem to reduce the likelihood and risk of cyberattack.

Always be aware and vigilant.

Most teenagers are unaware that their online presence leaves a trail that leads back to them. Everything they do online is not only difficult to remove, but it can also impact their future. From applying to college to getting their foot in the door in a career, digital footprints can make or break a teen’s future and goals if they aren’t careful.

Good Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is the way you behave online. When you were a teen, you didn’t have to worry so much about the repercussions of your actions catching up with you. Teens today should be aware and use caution in interacting socially online. Social media is designed to connect with peers but can easily be used for bullying. That funny meme might seem to be worth sharing at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t affect you negatively professionally.

Be careful when choosing what to put out there in the digital world. If you’re unsure if something would be appropriate to share, take a screenshot of it and send it to a select few. It is essential to teach your teen that good digital citizenship will follow them into college and their chosen career path. It is not uncommon for colleges to rescind acceptance letters for behavior they see on social media platforms.

Dangers of a Digital Footprint

Cyberbullying is a harmful use of social media that is an ongoing challenge that will only worsen without proper guidance for our teens. More than 30,000 suicide deaths occur each year in the U.S. Cyberbullying plays a significant role in this suicide rate because it targets teens that could already be suffering from depression or another disorder. Cyberbullying might seem harmless to some teens, but written words can be easily misinterpreted and taken out of context.

Teens should be careful even when they are joking about what they say on social media. They are leaving a breadcrumb trail that will stay with them forever. It is doubtful that your teen would intentionally hurt someone, but ensure they know the dangers of how their words can be misconstrued. Tell them about the game of telephone where something is whispered into a person’s ear, and then it’s passed around the room. More often than not, the said phrase is not the same once it travels around the room. Teach your teen that their words matter.

Restrict Access To Personal Information

Set guidelines for what your children should share online and what they should keep private. Educate them on the parameters of safely sharing information. They should know not to ever share sensitive information no matter the circumstances. If they question something, encourage them to come to you to be sure before they enter anything they’re unsure of. Don’t wait until something happens to create guidelines for them. They should never share their phone number or address anywhere online.

Parents should also be careful about what they post online about their children. You may unknowingly put them at risk when posting about them online.  For example, if your child gets an reward about school refrain from naming the school.

Negative Digital Footprint Impacts

There are numerous harmful impacts that your teen’s digital footprint can have on their future. College admissions and military recruiting officers can and will take notice of your teen’s digital presence when considering their application. Employers and internships will also look up your teen online when considering them for a position.

Recruiters and coaches will look at your teen’s profiles when considering open positions on their team for colleges. Your teen is also at risk for identity theft every time they post online. Photos shared online are fair game for identity theft. Scholarships for college and internships often ask candidates for their social media profiles to peruse before considering them as applicants.

Anonymity Doesn’t Exist

Privacy doesn’t exist online. There is always someone watching, whether it’s an identity theft attempt, a cyberattack or the government through the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). The ECPA authorizes the government’s admission to your files and folders online. The digital communications they can access are Facebook messages, email, your cloud and others.

The Library of Congress is saving tweets from Twitter for future generations. So, your anonymity is nonexistent. Urge your teens to stop and consider their content before they post it. Encourage them not to be impulsive and leave private conversations off of social media. Nothing online is temporary. Once it’s out there, it’s out and hard to remove even after it’s been deleted.

Enable Privacy Settings

Ensure all of your teen’s social media platforms are set to private. Make sure they have their location turned off on apps like Snapchat. They should know about numerous privacy settings if they’re allowed to use social media. Twitter has tweet protection where your followers are the only ones that see your tweets, besides the Library of Congress.

Apps like Instagram and Facebook have options to make your profiles private, so only people you choose can access the information you share. Keep track of your accounts and delete the ones you don’t use frequently. This will make it easier to maintain your digital footprint and gives you a smaller chance of data breach.

Center Stage

Social media has taken center stage in the way children communicate with each other. The game of telephone has become a thing of the past. Do you remember having to ask your parents to call someone long distance? What about call waiting or eavesdropping on your siblings’ conversations from the second phone in the house? It’s a whole new era now. Advise your children how easily they are susceptible to dangers online and encourage them to be selective and protected when posting content.

About the Author
Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for her children or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen!