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

We are excited to share two new learning apps in development for teachers. These educational apps are available for use now through any browser and have been created to assist in developing critical thinking in students. They are also ideal for parents, or anyone interested in learning about logical fallacies.

The apps are Foolacy and FactOpy. Both apps are in Beta Preview to get suggestions, find bugs and expand content.

As an early adopter you can contribute while teaching kids critical thinking.  Before we present these educational tools and resources, let us first review why teaching these concepts to kids is so important. The study of critical thinking and logical fallacies equip anyone of any age to ask questions before they make a statement of fact or form an opinion about a subject.

It’s easy for us to look at the world five hundred years ago and ridicule a societies lack of knowledge about science, the world and our place the universe. But let’s not be too hasty to look down on past cultures for their naivety.  We have enough problems of our own.  Our world today is very polarized and divisive. One could argue that this is due to a lack of training in critical thinking and even less teaching about logical fallacies.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential for research to make an informed decision. It evaluates multiple sources of information objectively. Critical thinking is vital to make kids better global citizens. It empowers them to be sounder in their thinking and strong in their ability to distinguish between what is proven and that which is unfounded.

Logical Fallacies

Separate from critical thinking, but still related, logical fallacies are mistaken beliefs based on unsound arguments. While critical thinking equips one with the necessary tools to evaluate information, a study of common types of logical fallacies can enable those who wish to persuade an audience.  This is done by using the appearance of logic, which ends up in an incorrect conclusion.

Educational Tools that Engage Students

The new educational apps we’ve referenced were born out of a need to fill the gap for educators. There just isn’t much out there within this area of teaching.  The goal is to reach young minds before they develop insufficient methods of forming opinions about especially critical issues.

One  issue is that people do not read enough. This includes a lack of discipline by most to not gather information from multiple news sources when researching subjects. Beyond reading, we also need to develop critical thinking skills to properly reason for ourselves when facts to not seem clear.

These apps are safe and free to use.  Anyone can access them to educate themselves.  At the very core, they teach skills that provide proper thinking to solve any problem. Each app features a teacher login in order to assign tests.  There is no need for students to login to take the tests.

1. Foolacy

The first one is Foolacy. It teaches logical fallacies. The app has quizzes and drills to practice analyzing arguments. It has over seven hundred sample arguments. Foolacy solves the problem to the question:  Why Change Fallacies? It offers various levels of difficulty and includes themes such as Cherry Picking, Out of Context, Common Sense, Herd Mentality and Scare Tactics.  There are many more areas to explore.

2. FactOpy

What is fact and what is opinion? FactOpy provides a straightforward way to quiz your brain about how easily you can determine fact from opinion. One might think that FacOpy would not be a challenge for adults.  However, in today’s world of divided opinions and conspiracy therapies it is a good test for any age. It is a simple, yet powerful tool to help us develop our critical thinking skills, as well as teach younger minds.

While brain games are common for the development of children of all ages, it is not so clear how to teach critical thinking.   There are limited resources in this area, so these apps fill a great gap for teacher, as well as parents. It may also be beneficial to know what a child’s IQ score is, but a child’s IQ, even if lower than other, does not preclude anyone from learning critical thinking skills.

These learning apps were created by David Hundsness from Jupiter Ed.  He is also the founder of the Critical Thinking Project.

The Critical Thinking Project

Critical thinking is very important to make better decisions and to tell when someone is trying to manipulate us, such as a politician, salesman or ads in apps.  But how exactly do we teach that?  Skills in other subjects are clearly defined.  For example, in math you start with counting and work your way up.  However, the building blocks for critical thinking seem unclear. It’s not as simple as starting with a discussion with the goal of arriving at critical thinking, especially when you have a classroom of students – all with their own unique sets of preconceived notions.

The critical thinking and logical fallacies teaching featured in the Foolacy and FactOpy apps feature specific skills to help teach these concepts.

Critical thinking skills include;

• Correlation versus causation
• Assessing credibility and bias
• Understanding logical fallacies
• Detecting deceptive use of statistics
• Knowing the experimental method versus anecdotal evidence

For more information about critical thinking skills, visit criticalthinkingproject.org.  You’ll find more detail and data about critical thinking, as well as the development of free curriculum apps for specific skills.  The mission of this project is to improve K-12 instruction of critical thinking and logical fallacies. The launching of the learning apps introduced are an excellent way to begin for teachers in school and parents at home.

Kahoot

Kahoot is another free learning app designed to empower children at home or students in school. Teachers to engage children in a classroom by creating quiz questions. Up to 50 players can join in on the group game.  Paid versions offer additional tools, such as polls, puzzles, multi-select answers and personalized learning options.  Users can also access more learning apps.

Teachers using Kahoot are able to save combine progress monitoring with powerful play using technology that saves time. Simply find a Kahoot on the Discover page to use with students.  From there you can customize for your classroom.

There are also apps on the platform to advance math learning, learning to read through play, as well as language learning. Critical thinking skills can also be developed when students are allowed to create their own Kahoots.  Want to learn more about additional learning games.

Facts and Opinions

This video helps us understand the difference between facts and opinions. It’s also important to learn how to apply this knowledge.

While there are many benefits to the capabilities of online services, the web can be terrifying to parents of young kids and teenagers. Without proper systems in place, parents are concerned with the safety of their kids’ identity.

Many adults want to ensure that their children are not incurring bullying or harassment through online platforms. Thankfully, many software systems and search sites have been created to help limit and monitor the usage of technology for children. In this article, we will share five ways that adults can monitor the online presence of their children.

1. Ask Your Child About Their Experience

Many children are unaware of the dangers posed online. As an adult, you should make it a safe environment for your kids to come forward with their concerns regarding internet usage. Let them voice any issues they had or ask questions about content they encountered while using the web. Additionally, let them know that adults are willing to help keep them safe online if they ever do encounter a situation that makes them uncomfortable.

2. Monitor Their Web Usage With Technology

There are many ways to use technology to monitor your child’s website usage on computers, tablets and smartphones. Many software packages offer safe search engines that allow parents to block inappropriate websites from being accessed by children. Some programs also include real-time monitoring so parents can see what is being viewed on the computer during each session. If your child is new to navigating the web, this monitoring will be extremely helpful for safe searching.

3. Search Your Family Using an Online Platform

If you are curious about what information is available about your family online, search on a comprehensive engine like USSearch. This platform will help draw out relevant information so that you can see what content is readily available for other internet users. This can be helpful for verifying that profiles your children have on social media are safe and free of problematic content. If you find any information about your family online, take immediate steps to correct it.

4. Converse About the Proper Way to Use Social Media

While many websites use small disclaimers to remind users not to share personal details, kids often do so without hesitation. Be sure to talk with your child about internet safety the pitfalls of giving out private information on the web (phone number, address, school name). This will ensure that your kids are safe from any potential danger.

5. Talk With Their Teachers and Peers

If a teacher or a peer has ever complained about the behavior of your child online, discuss these issues with them immediately. This conversation can be difficult because it can mean admitting that you were not aware of something concerning occurring on your kid’s web usage.

Endnote

Having discernment when talking to your kids about their online presence is important. When you gain their trust, you can help keep them safe and respectable online. By putting adequate guardrails in place, you children will learn to use the internet appropriately.

Modern Parenting: Taking Care of Children with Technology

Malware is malicious software that infects your computer in the form of a virus, spyware, Trojan horse, bot, adware or a worm. These nasty infections have different purposes, from getting your computer to preform certain tasks in the background, to sending out spam from your email account, to as bad as stealing your personal information.

Malware may infect your computer when you click on a suspicious email attachment, but it is not restricted to that. Malware also comes via software installations from unsafe sources, as well as when visiting infected websites.

Does Your computer Have Malware?

Malware can happen through phishing links, malicious websites, device vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access are all ways that malware can infiltrate a device.

Signs Your Computer or Phone May Be Infected

Slow Performance:  Your device may slow down, become unresponsive, or crash frequently.

Excessive pop-ups:  Persistent pop-up ads, especially those that show up even when you aren’t browsing the internet, could indicate malware.

Changes in Settings or Devices or Device Storage: If your device has changes in data usage and network activity, this could mean malware is present.

Apps Appearing or Disappearing:  If your anti-virus software is turned off and you are unable to turn it back on, this could be a red flag.  Keep an eye out for new unexpected software or applications as well. Browser extensions, plugins, or apps that you did not download could be a sign of malware.

What to Do if You Have Malware

1. Isolate the Device by disconnected it from the internet and other devices to prevent the malware from spreading.

2. Scan your device with an anti-malware program and follow any recommended steps noted.

3. Check to make sure your device operating system or software is up to date.

4. Change all passwords on all of your accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

Malware Prevention

To prevent malware, never click on unsolicited links.  Educate yourself on all forms of phishing.  Ensure your device operating system or software is up to date to ensure the latest versions are working to remove vulnerabilities.  Auto-updates on all programs and operating systems is a good idea.  Make sure all websites you visit start with https:// in the url.  (http:// urls are not secure).  It’s doesn’t mean the website has malware.  Therefore, you should install anti-malware software.

Safe Search Kids endorses MalwareBytes because it is 100% safe and arguably the most reputable malicious software removal tools available having been first introduced online in 2006.  It does not include adware or spyware in any shape or form and also has a free download option.

MalwareBytes now includes protection from Ransomware, which is malicious software that locks your computer.  The only way to remove it and get access to your files is to pay a ransom, usually in Bitcoin.

Personal Case Study of Malware

A personal story about anti-malware software in action: One morning I logged on to my credit card account and saw a Western Union charge for $940. It was made in a city half way across the country. I quickly called my credit card company to report it.

Upon further investigation I was informed that thieves obtained my complete credit card information through one of my computers in the house. This is done when your computer becomes infected by a Trojan Horse (malware) and when you log into an account – in my case it was iTunes – the software is able to obtain personal information for later use. I downloaded the anti-malware program on to all of our computers and did a scan. I found the virus on one of our laptops.

Malware can infect entire network of computers within a home.  It’s vital to education every member of your family.

Methods of Malware Infection

There are many other ways computers are infected with malware, including spyware and malicious Trojan Horses.  It can happen when you visit a website that itself has become infected.  Email can also be bring you malware in the form of an attachment.  This is why is always important, that no matter how much you may trust the email that is asking you to log into an account, it’s always best to simply go to your browser and access your account directly.

Malware can also be infecting a computer is when opening attachments that seem harmless enough.  That is where having an Anti-Malware program installed on your computer is vitally important to stop infections from happening in the first place.

Malicious Comments:  A case was discovered where cybercriminals hid malicious code within an image on a comment to a product website. The hidden code aimed to steal consumers’ data by bypassing security measures. While this specific case was discovered and thwarted by a threat management system, it is important that users are careful when interacting with images in comments and reviews. Organizations should make sure to employ continuous web threat management solutions to detect and prevent such vulnerabilities.

Beware of Stalkerware!

The creativity of cyber criminals never sleeps.  One imagines that even in their dreams they will think up new ways to spread malware.   Stalkerware is an example of this.  It refers to malicious tools, software, or apps that allow someone to secretly monitor another person’s activities. Some stalkerware allows the cybercriminal to see a person’s sensitive information which could lead to identity theft.

Unusual battery drain, unknown apps appearing, and changes in device permissions could be signs of stalkerware. Go to an IT expert or your IT department if you are concerned about a potential infection.

Anti-Virus Programs are Not Enough

It’s good to have an anti-virus program installed to catch unwanted emails, but they can only do so much.  Anti-virus programs don’t do a thorough job of detecting and removing the malware.  Malware hides in the background of your computer and anti-virus programs don’t always pick it up in a scan.

A bigger issue is that anti-virus programs alone do not block infections from happening in the first place, such as when you visit a malicious website.  This is why it’s important to have an anti-malware blocker, as well as a program that digs deeper in your computer scan with a top rated malware detector and removal tool.

Anti-Malware – Scan and Prevention

Every computer should have some form of anti-virus software installed.  Windows 10 users already have a good security system in place, as long as it is activated.  But anti-virus programs do not have the ability to prevent malware the way a program like a malware program can.  With children in the house, your computers should also have a premium anti-malware program on every device to regularly scan, clean and protect your PC from all internet threats: viruses, spyware, trojans, bots, adware and worms.

With anti-malware software, dangers are recognized immediately when they try to run or are being downloaded from the web. New malware definitions are also updated on a regular basis to ensure all new malware programs are detected with every scan.

Exploit Protection and Ransomware Protection

With secure Malware Protection you will also have Exploit Protection and Ransomware Protection while surfing the web as it blocks PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and even scams.

Beware of installing any software from a source you are not sure about. The ironic thing is, you may be downloading malware contained in the very software program promising you malware removal. This is not the case with a trusted program.

Brute Force Attacks.

MalwareBytes also protects against brute force attacks. This is when RDP attacks from around the world can gain access to any one of your devices that is connected to the internet. Once in, hackers can infect other devices as well as steal your private data.

To see if you are infected by Malware including viruses, spyware, Trojans, bots, adware or worms – Scan and Clean Your Computer!

Additional Internet Security Solutions

While we have mentioned that Anti-Virus Software is not an effective tool against Malware, please don’t misunderstand. Anti-Virus is still important to protect your computer against infections through your incoming email. These programs are not to be confused with parental controls, which allow you to block access to websites that do not have appropriate content for kids and teens.

Why Malware Protection is Important

In the words of something you use every day…

A Letter from Your Computer

Dear Human. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. After all, we spend a lot of time together. Together, we explore the big, wide world. We play, we learn and we visit with friends. But I need to be honest with you. There are some things you do that make me feel bad.

I don’t like it when you click on bad pictures.  They make me uncomfortable and sometimes when you look at ugly pictures, I get hurt. The people who post that gross stuff also stick viruses in the picture. By clicking on those pictures, you can accidentally download a virus which could make me sick.

If I get infected, I’d have to go to the computer doctor to get fixed. While I’m being repaired, you won’t have me to play with. I’d miss you. Please, watch out for gross pictures and websites with creepy names.

I know you want to watch that new movie that just came out, but think before you click. Streaming and downloading sites are filled with all sorts of malware that I want to keep you safe from. When you steam a movie or download that show, you could also be downloading spyware or phishing software.

Some stranger far away can then look inside of me and take your pictures and emails and videos. Then can even break me so bad that I can’t play with you anymore. Please, take care of me. Don’t stream or download unless your parents have a subscription with a business they can trust.

Also, I don’t like it when you use me to hurt others.

It might seem like fun to you or a way to show friends how clever you are, but those mean words sting. I’m your friend, not some goon you use to push people around. Please, be nice when you use me. Be polite. Remember, computers are supposed to better the life of humans, not cyberbully people around.

I’m your friend, your study buddy. I allow you to play games. I’m the tool that can take you all the way around the world while you sit safe in your home. Let’s share the world together. Think before you click.

Yours truly,
Your Computer.

There can be so many risks associated with the online world, from the threat of identity theft to the potential for exposure to inappropriate content to the danger of child exploitation, that parents may be tempted to try to shield their child from the digital domain entirely. But not only is that impossible, it’s also unwise.

The reality is that the digital revolution is here. Now, more than ever, our lives revolve around the web. For many of us, cyberspace is where we work, learn, get our entertainment, and connect with the people we love. And if you want to prepare your child to thrive not just for today but for the increasingly digitized world of tomorrow, then you can’t avoid the cyberworld. But what you can do is teach them how to navigate it skillfully, safely, and smartly.

Gaming Your Way to Good Internet Citizenship

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching your kids how to be safe online derives from the fact that the risks are not only constantly changing, but they can also be difficult to understand and identify. This is particularly true for younger children, who may not yet have a solid understanding of important safety and security issues, such as the need to safeguard your personal data or how to remain alert to stranger danger online.

Fortunately, parents have several great resources for helping their kids learn good internet citizenship while having fun at the same time. Games such as Internland engage children through a series of challenging puzzles and quests. These games require players to master important online safety skills to advance to higher levels of the game.

Best of all, gameplay gets kids to apply these techniques in a range of different scenarios, helping them to retain, recall, and effectively use these skills.

Another engaging and nonthreatening approach to learning internet safety through gameplay is the bCyberwise Monster Family app for Android and iOS. The app addresses myriad challenges that today’s connected kids, and their parents, face every day. Topics such as respectful online communication, savvy social media use, and even the importance of strong passwords are explored through mini adventure games that children and adults alike will love.

Turning Kids Into Content Creators

If you’re like many parents, long months of pandemic lockdowns have likely sent you scrambling for ways to keep the kids entertained and occupied while Mom and Dad attend to work and home responsibilities. But just because pandemic restrictions are beginning to ease does not mean that you can’t use the time you and your little ones spend at home to discover new ways to safely engage in the digital domain.

Kids today are true digital natives, having grown up with access to technologies that their parents could not have begun to imagine at the same age. And that means that children are often far more technologically skilled than their parents realize.

These skills can be harnessed to great effect regarding teaching web safety by encouraging your child to become not just a digital content consumer, but also a content creator. For instance, helping your child create their own videos and animations can be an ideal way for them to learn about the “behind the scenes” realities of their favorite digital channels, the hidden processes their favored producers use to create content.

And ultimately that’s going to increase your child’s digital literacy, better equipping them to differentiate fact from fiction when consuming online content and thus making it less likely that they will fall prey to deceptive or nefarious materials. After all, there is perhaps no better way to master a medium than by actively engaging with it, no better way to learn than by doing.

A Family Affair

One of the scariest things about allowing your children to engage the internet is how easily the virtual door to your home and child may be opened to predators and others with evil intent.  But it is possible to guard the gate to your little one while still giving them the freedom to take advantage of all the opportunities that the great World Wide Web provides.

In addition to educational gaming and digital content creation, children should also learn about internet safety through the policies that parents impose regarding technology use. The prioritization of internet safety at all times and in all contexts must inform every encounter with the child’s tech.

This must involve the effective use of firewalls and passwords, the rejection of suspicious apps and downloads, and the avoidance of insecure websites. Above all, this should include an approach to internet technology that sees every device and all the content on it not as private, but as the province of both the child and their parents.

For example, children should learn to expect that parents will monitor all of their online activity, including not only the use of online trackers and monitors but also regular inspections of the child’s devices. Children should expect parents to enter the room and look over their shoulder when online, to demand to see their smartphones and tablets without warning and to keep a current list of all the child’s online accounts and passwords.

If such an approach to the online world is integrated into the internet safety learning process from the beginning, then kids are less likely to see it as restrictive or punitive. Rather, parents can help children understand that family transparency when it comes to the internet is simply an aspect, perhaps the most important aspect, of online safety.

The Takeaway

Given the risks that too often accompany the online world, parents may be tempted to ban their children from the internet entirely. But that may well do more harm than good. Rather than precluding children from the web, however, parents can teach kids about safe web search alternatives and how to use the internet safely, skillfully, and smartly.