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

Your child wants to watch a particular movie or TV show, but you don’t know whether or not it’s appropriate. Or, your child wants to watch something but doesn’t know what. As a parent, you know the media your children enjoy has a significant impact on their physical, emotional and social development. Therefore, you need some way of discovering age-appropriate streaming content.

Recommendations from teachers and other parents can be useful starting points, but you don’t know how other parents raise their kids; you want to make sure the content your child watches conforms to your values and your parenting methods.

Plus, even in the case of good and useful recommendations, teachers and other parents can only recommend so much. You need some way to empower yourself to find the content you and your child can agree on without relying on word-of-mouth or generic reviews. This is where Common Sense Media Steps in.

Common Sense Media’s promise is to provide: “Reviews for what your kids are into (before they get into it.)” Many modern rating tools may contain errors or omit certain scenes you could take offense to. With Common Sense Media’s extensive features, you can find all the information that could interest and concern you as a parent specifically seeking entertainment for your child.

What Is Common Sense Media?

Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization that, since 2003, has been a primary source of guidance for parents on tech and media for kids. They possess the biggest library of age-based, independent reviews and ratings on all material children may watch as well as read, play or learn.

They’ve crafted every review using best practices in child development to isolate the most appropriate viewing (and other) material for every child and every stage of growth and development.

How It Works

All Common Sense reviews are completely unbiased. They never accepts payment or any other considerations in trade for making any decisions about the scores they assign or reviews they write.

Their reviews are all designed based on child developmental criteria determined by some of the country’s top authorities.

Common Sense Plans

When you join their site, you can choose between a free basic account and a paid premium service with additional features.

Common Sense Basic

With the free Basic plan you can explore the essential features of the service without committing to pay for it yet. These include:

• Three reviews each month
• Curated lists and relevant articles
• Ability to post, save and comment on reviews

Common Sense Plus

The paid version of the service, called Common Sense Media Plus, provides several additional enticing features for parents.

Content Preferences

Set content preferences for your child and receive recommendations based on your child’s age, topics of interest and streaming services, among other useful criteria.

Tens-of-Thousands of Reviews

Explore over 30,000 unbiased, detailed and age-based reviews. The summaries tell you what the content contains, including information on:

• Education value
• Positive role models
• Violence and scariness
• Language
• Drinking, drugs and smoking
• Positive messages
• Diverse representation
• Sex, romance and nudity
• Products and purchases

Convenient snapshots of each review provide:

• Cover art – You’ll be able to view the movie’s poster.
• Age-appropriateness – The youngest age for which the content appropriate.
• Rating system – A five-star system giving you a quick glimpse of the content’s assessed quality (1 star – “Don’t bother”; 2 stars – “Disappointing”; 3 stars – “Just fine, solid”; 4 stars – “Really good”; 5 stars – “The best!”).
• Basic stats – Rating, year, length.
• Brief description – Focusing both on what parents need to know about the film or shows characteristics (eg. humor, adventure) and on the gist of the story or plot.
• Selections – A ribbon of accolade for particularly outstanding content with the potential to inspire family discussions, entertain all types of families and provide a lasting, positive social impact.
• Interactive features – Save movies and shows of interest to easily access later when you’re looking for something to watch.
• Rate movies – Give your own two cents about any movie or show you and/or your child have already watched.

You can see a detailed breakdown of Common Sense’s movie reviews, along with examples and explanations on HotDog.com.

Entertainment Guides

Select factors like the character strengths of the protagonist and choose from a wide range of topic filters to receive suggestions of movies and shows meeting those criteria.

Common Sense Media also publishes online articles and useful tips on using various streaming tech and media.

Streaming Services

The website lets you explore movies and shows playing only on the streaming services you own. The catalog includes content from the gamut of services, including:

• Disney+
• HBO Max
• Vudu
• YouTube
• Amazon Video
• Amazon Kids Plus
• Hulu
• Netflix
• Redbox
• DIRECTV STREAM
• IMDb TV
• hoopla
• Kanop
• Tubi
• Crackle

You can even use this feature to help decide if there are new streaming services you’d like to subscribe to because of all of the interesting and appropriate content you discover they offer.

In summary, Common Sense Media Plus offers you:

• Unlimited reviews
• Personalized entertainment guides
• Parental settings – Like favorite topics and content restrictions
• Simple search – Start your search by simply entering in any keyword or phrase that interest you, from title or creator to genre to subject matter to similar content
• Filters – Like by platform or streaming service
• Newsletter- A full (and useful) entertainment guide delivered regularly to your email inbox

Recap

The mission of Common Sense Media is to provide parents with a way to find the content that kids and parents will love, each for their own reasons.

Kids will enjoy movies and shows tailored to their interests, while parents will enjoy the ability to monitor and filter what their children watch in order to match with their children’s age group and their own values and parenting styles. Numerous interactive features help make you an expert in what your child can watch.

In addition to movies and TV shows, their site also rates books, games, podcasts and apps. The organization also runs many related socially conscientious programs in areas like education, advocacy, citizenship and ethnicity.

Common Sense Media tailors its tools not only to parents but to teachers and librarians as well, helping make the increasingly overwhelming barrage of new movies, shows and other content out there accessible–and appropriate–for children and families.

As parents, one of our most important jobs is to teach our children about the world around them. One of the most important aspects of life to teach them is economics. It helps them understand how people use and exchange money and goods and how this affects the world around them. Economics studies how people use scarce resources to satisfy their needs and wants.

There are many different economic principles that we can teach our children. By teaching children about economic principles early on, we can help them make more informed decisions later in life.

1. Scarcity

Children must understand that limited resources are available and that we must choose how to use them. This is a fundamental principle of economics that will help them understand trade-offs and opportunity costs. For example, if a child wants a new toy, they need to understand that they may have to give up something else.  This could mean giving up their weekly allowance or doing extra chores around the house.  By understanding opportunity cost, children can learn to make more informed choices about how to use limited resources. This is an essential life skill in a world where resources are becoming increasingly scarce.

2. Supply and Demand

One of the most basic principles is supply and demand. This principle states that the price of a good or service is determined by the amount of supply and the amount of demand. The price will go up when there is a high demand for a product but a low supply. On the other hand, when there is a low demand for a product but a high supply, the product price will go down.  By understanding this principle, children can learn to make informed decisions about what to buy and when to buy it. They can also understand why prices fluctuate and how this affects their everyday lives.

3. Specialization and Division of Labor

While specialization is important for an economy to function smoothly, it’s also one of the key issues that should be included in any children economics curriculum. That way, they can understand why some people specialize in certain tasks and why it’s beneficial for everyone involved. In addition, they can learn about the available jobs and how to match their skills with a particular job best. By teaching children about specialization early on, we can help them to be better prepared for the workforce and to make the most of their talents.

4. Incentives

For children to understand the basic principles of economics, it is important to teach them about incentives early on. An incentive motivates an individual to take action, a key economic concept. There are two types of incentives: positive and negative. Positive incentives are rewards that encourage someone to take action, while negative incentives are punishments that discourage someone from taking action. For example, an interest-bearing savings account might be a positive incentive for saving money. In contrast, a negative incentive for spending money might be a high-interest rate on credit cards. Children can learn to make rational financial decisions about their own economic activity by understanding incentives.

5. Trade

Teaching children about trade is important for understanding international relations and commerce. They need to know that people trade because it benefits both parties involved, not just because one party has something the other wants. Teaching children about trade is an important way to prepare them for success in an increasingly connected world. By understanding how trade works, they’ll be better equipped to participate in the global economy and make informed decisions about their lives.

Conclusion

Source

Children need to learn about economic principles at an early age. Doing so will make them better equipped to make sound financial decisions later in life. Teaching children about these concepts will help them better understand money’s role in our lives and how to use it wisely. In addition, it is important to instill a sense of financial responsibility in kids from a young age. Teaching children economics is a valuable exercise that can pay dividends later in their lives.

Kids spend twice as much time indoors as their parents do. But even when kids go outside to play, most have access to traditional playing space that comprises a traditional swing, slide, and a couple of climbing structures.

Playing in traditional playgrounds isn’t necessarily negative; it won’t boost a kid’s imagination, activeness, creativity, and problem-solving skills or make them want to play outside longer.

And this is where natural playgrounds come in, to help engage younger children. Having natural play environments will help kids reconnect with the great outdoors. The beauty of natural play environments is that they are easy and affordable to create. Even with limited space, natural play environments allow kids to find ways of engaging with whatever natural materials they are provided.

Before creating a natural playing environment for your kid, consider checking out a nature based playground, focusing on all the benefits it offers young kids. Next, create a positive attitude towards dirt by finding solutions to ensure your kids won’t bring dirt back into the house.

So, if you are looking to encourage outdoor exploration, discussed below are some key elements that will guide you in creating a natural play environment that is safe and fun. Happy reading!

Consider Creating A Sensory Garden

One main component of consideration when setting up a natural play environment has to be your kid’s five senses. Nature is filled with different opportunities for kids to use their senses. Creating a sensory garden will draw your kid’s attention to all that grows around them.

And since sensory gardens are to be explored through taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing, the following are great ways of awakening those senses.

• Sound– nature has different exciting sounds from birds, animals, and the swaying of trees on a windy day. However, if your backyard isn’t close to nature, consider adding things such as wind chimes. Additionally, consider making instruments with a rhythm that can be played outside.

• Smell– plant different greenery and flowers that’ll produce pleasant smells. Young kids like to take time to smell all the scents around them.

• Touch– when it comes to touch, there are different options available around you. For instance, dirt is a great way of allowing kids to explore nature. You can set up a mud bucket or have a wheelbarrow for kids to push around.

Another great way of feeding your kid’s sense of touch is by creating a sandbox allowing them to build and dig around to their heart’s content. Expand the textures by getting sticks for the play space. Sticks offer versatility; kids can use their imagination to create endless possibilities. Most kids use sticks to build, write, draw, stack, or sort them into sizes and types.

• Sight– if you love flowers, your kids also enjoy looking at flowers. All the different colors and sizes of flowers offer fun ways for kids to learn about them.

• Taste– having a garden gives kids a great chance to engage with nature while still getting healthy food. Some great plants to incorporate in natural play environments include thornless berries, snap peas, beans, strawberries, etc.

Provide Safe Access To Water

Given the opportunity, kids will play with water all day long. As a result, consider providing safe access to water by adding a water source to your space. However, note that you’ll need to supervise your kid anytime they are around water.

Consider encouraging kids to pour the water on the ground, watch it flow, water the plants in the garden, mix it with soil, splash in it, or explore in any other safe way. But when allowing your child to enjoy the water, set your limit and teach them to be respectful of the source of their fun by not being wasteful.

Add Real Tools

Creating a natural play environment comes with encouraging kids to garden. So, when gardening, provide lightweight and safe tools for young kids. You can easily find miniature tools fit for young kids. For instance, you can get a small rake and broom that’s short and manageable that kids can use to help with yard work.

Set Aside Quiet Spaces

With everything to do, young kids get tired and might need time off. As a result, you need to create a space where kids can be still and rest. One great way is by adding a shelter that expands the possibilities. A wooden play house or bean teepee is among the best choices.

Inside the home, ensure there is a place for kids to do arts and crafts with all the resources available.  Your child may like to draw or paint. And let’s not forget that about the long winter months when play outside is limited.

Whichever option you settle, make sure the space is quiet without distractions and suitable for resting the body and mind. That’s a vital element in every natural play environment.

Here’s a quick video showing a good example of a natural play environment:

Bottom Line

You don’t have to stress about the space if you want to create a natural play environment for your young kids. Any space can hold great opportunities for your child to have memorable childhood experiences. Using the elements discussed above will make your kids enjoy playing in any natural environment.

As children grow, they start to feel the pressure of their peers to fit in and blend in with the crowd. Over the past decade, kids have felt increasing pressure to join social media and younger ages. Social media has a major impact on how children in the digital generation view themselves and the world.

Social media allows kids to portray themselves as whatever they want to be. It provides a platform for connection and exposure to what’s going on in the world, good or bad. However, there are many risks and disadvantages for people who aren’t mature enough to grasp its complexities. There are many negative impacts social media can have on children.

Here are some ways to help your kids fight peer pressure to join social media.

Peer Pressure Preparation

Prepare your child for peer pressure as early as possible. Instill core values and build their self-esteem, so you can prepare them for any challenges they may face.

Open Communication

Discuss the dangers of peer pressure with your children so they understand why they shouldn’t conform to their peers in instances that pose harm to them or someone else. Ensure your child knows the consequences of their actions and what that entails. The dangers of social media will be irrelevant to your child if you don’t explain how they could cause problems.

Instill Values

Providing values for your child to decipher right from wrong will undoubtedly set them up for success. Give them the necessary tools to make decisions independently with confidence. You can worry less when kids understand the dangers and think through obstacles to come up with solutions. Your child will know what to do when situations occur if you provide them with the fundamentals they need, like respect, integrity, consideration and independence.

Build Their Confidence

Building your child’s confidence is essential to their growth and self-awareness but is also vital to their success. Prepare children to deal with peer pressure on all fronts. They will feel more confident in their decisions if they’re confident in who they are and what they stand for.

When you boost your child’s confidence at home, they are less likely to seek acceptance from their peers or other outside forces like strangers on the internet. Ensure you give your kid the attention and feedback they need at home so they don’t search for it elsewhere. Be attuned to your child and what they are going through. Talk to them as much as possible and listen when they talk to you, offering guidance and support when needed.

Fighting Peer Pressure

Fighting peer pressure is easier said than done. You remember what it was like, right? Kids can be brutal to one another, no matter how you slice it. Fitting in can seem like the only possible solution for children when they don’t have adequate support and guidance to tell them otherwise.

Social Media’s Negative Impacts

Ensure your kids know and understand negative impacts that social media can have on them and their peers. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is one of the most impactful reasons children want to have social media. Kids naturally want to be part of the group as they reach adolescence and grow into teenagers. The fact that 55% of the world’s population is hooked to the internet doesn’t help.

Children want to do what everyone else does and get discouraged when they can’t. This can lead to depression and anxiety in kids and harm their overall health. Internet addiction is a genuine concern among parents, as well. Your kids should have supervision and limitations regarding their online presence to prevent this from happening.

Find a Trusted Adult

When your child feels peer pressure to join social media or do anything they don’t want to, encourage them to find a trusted adult. Ask them who their favorite teacher is if they need guidance and support.

Offer ways for your kids to politely refuse and exit these conversations. Roleplay with them so they feel prepared to say no confidently when peer pressure arises. Ensure that you don’t judge your children but guide them in the right direction by listening. When your child feels like they can come to you with anything, they are less likely to hide things from you and make better decisions.

Be True to Yourself

Teach your kids to be true to themselves and not conform to what others do if it’s bad for them. Why would you want to hurt yourself that way? Pose questions like these to provide perspective and hold your child accountable for their actions. Teach them how they could suffer from poor decisions independently, not just for disciplinary reasons.

This knowledge could help your child become the voice of reason in their friend group and discourage others from buckling under pressure. Promoting positive information and how these situations can be avoided gives your child the proper ammo to confidently fight peer pressure and be grateful for your unwavering guidance and support.

There is less reason for concern when kids are mature enough to understand the risks and apply the appropriate amount of caution when using social media. This shouldn’t encourage you to change your stance on it, though.

Help Your Kids Fight Peer Pressure

There are many ways you can supervise your kids’ accounts and ensure they are protected and secure. However, stand firm in your decision if you don’t want them to have social media. Help them combat peer pressure by utilizing these tips to ensure your child avoids being bullied.

Navigating your kids’ screen time can be a struggle. Luckily, there are small strategies you can implement daily to enforce limited time on their phones.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.
Follow Cora on Facebook and LinkedIn.