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

Vacations are meant to be relaxing and fun, but they can also be productive. If you’re the type of parent who doesn’t mind leaving their homework behind, then taking your child on vacation is a good idea too. It’s certainly good that children have plenty of downtime while on vacation.

There’s a lot to consider when planning a trip to make it safe, fun, and even educational.  When your kids are away from school for longer than usual, there are a few things you can do to help your child with schoolwork.

Tips for Doing Schoolwork on Vacation

First, make sure you find out when your child is going to have the most free time and make plans accordingly. It’s best to begin doing schoolwork early in the morning or before the child goes to bed. You’ll also want to talk to the teacher about your plans, so he or she can help.

Second, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the deadline. You don’t want to miss out on an assignment or test. While it’s important to help your child with homework, he or she shouldn’t let it get in the way of having fun on vacation. Your child may be tempted to skip out on their homework on vacation, but you need to be sure it’s important to give them some encouragement to stay on task.

Family vacations are designed to be escapes from reality – a much-needed break from daily demands, deadlines, pressure, and routines. Sometimes, that trip to visit family or holiday getaway can’t wait until summer break. However, school-aged children have to maintain certain habits and disciplines even while on an extended vacation.

Here are a few ways to help your child stay ahead of the game when it comes to homework, even while on vacation.

Keep Ahead of the Game

Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher or teachers before you leave school. This way, you can give them specific dates and get all your questions answered. This step demonstrates the importance you and your child are putting on their school responsibilities. Get as many assignments as you can ahead of time, that way you can manage your child’s progress when you don’t have a high-speed Internet connection or access to email. Show appreciation to your child’s teachers for taking time to meet with you and work with you to stay ahead – it’s extra work for them and it helps for you to express your gratitude for their special accommodations.

Keep in Touch

It’s important to communicate to the teacher that you want to stay informed and up-to-date.  Take the opportunity when you have internet access to email your child’s teacher or by logging on to Zoom for an online class or consultation. It will ensure your privacy and stable connection during the meeting. This way, you can stay in touch about assignments, special projects, grades, etc. Keeping good communication with teachers is a good way to become your child’s advocate when it comes to school.

Keep on Reading

Don’t forget to pack a school bag – including lots of books – for your child when preparing to leave on an extended trip. Pack their textbooks, reading assignments, notebooks, and binders so they will be prepared for any assignment they are given. This can be easy to overlook when preparing for a trip, but you must have the necessary tools to keep your child up-to-date with reading assignments and other tasks.

Keep a Schedule

Your child might be feeling overwhelmed when they’re not able to finish the work on vacation. You might be wondering how you can help them stay organized when you’re not around. Thankfully, there are many ways to help your child with schoolwork on vacations. Despite how busy you are, holiday homework can be a great time to help your child focus and learn.

Whatever you vacation destination you have planed, we know you want to pack as much fun and adventure into your trip as possible, but don’t neglect the necessary habit of keeping a daily homework schedule. Plan a time each day (before dinner, after dinner, etc.) when your child can tackle their homework and reading. Make sure you encourage their focus and best efforts. This can be hard with many other fun things to do, but keeping a strict schedule for homework will guarantee that they stay current with work and projects.

Keep Going

It can be difficult to force yourself back into the real world each day to keep your child on track with school, but short, daily periods of homework are certainly better than the pile of stress and make-up work that accumulates when you neglect schoolwork while on vacation. Encourage your child to keep up the good habits – and the good work – and he/she will benefit greatly.

The word ‘stimming’ is an abbreviation for ‘self-stimulating behavior’ which is typically socially acceptable and normal behavior. What is stimming ADHD?  The answer is that it’s a form of self-stimulation used when one is bored or experiencing something uncomfortable.

Children living with ADHD face unique challenges. Stimming is simply a way to help them to focus, reduce anxiety, or release excess energy.

Some of the things a person does that can be considered ‘stimming’ include:

• Chewing the inside of their cheek
• Excessive or unnecessary sniffling
• Twirling your hair
• Biting your nails
• Humming
• Tapping a writing utensil such as a pen, or pencil

From these examples, you can see that stimming is a very common behavior. These behaviors can be observed in people of all backgrounds, disabilities, and ages. Stimming is a natural response that is not unique to intellectually or developmentally disabled individuals.

Difference Between ASD Stimming and ADHD Stimming

Stimming for those on the autism spectrum disorder is different than ADHD Stimming in severity and duration. ADHD self-stimming behaviors occur when sensory overload happens while trying to concentrate. An example is someone with ADHD thinking about writing, as they rock back and forth, or twirl their hair.

ADHD Stimming or in Developmentally Delays

ADHD stimming can function as a source of comfort and control for those with developmental disorders. Most children or adults with developmental disabilities often experience sensory overload. Stimming is a means of regaining control over a certain sensation or experience.

Children who are easily overwhelmed by too much auditory input might easily begin shouting or shrieking in response. A child overwhelmed with visual input may begin pressing their hands against eyelids, or move their eyes back and forth quickly. These actions are known as adaptive mechanisms.

These adaptive mechanisms, or stimming help the disabled to communicate their emotions. For this reason, stimming can be loud, different, and distracting from the ‘normal’ sources of self-stimulation. These types of stimming are most likely the reason people associate stimming with those who are developmentally delayed.

ADHD Stimming

Developmental disabilities are not always accompanied with ADHD. What is more common is for children with ADHD to experience sensory difficulties. For this reason, ADHD stimming is much like what you would see in a child on the autism spectrum, rather than what would be observed in their typical peers.

ADHD stimming typically involves fidgeting. Stimming for these children can range from squirming in their chair to humming loudly, and even speaking over others and more. These behaviors are used for the child to find some form of sensory input.

Stimming helps a child with ADHD quiet down their sensory systems and the unpleasant sensations in their body. Depending on the child and the environment, stimming will create a new sensation that is pleasant to experience. The reasons for seeking sensation are unique to each and can change daily.

Autism is characterized by high levels of anxiety and stress. As such, many autistic people have an aversion to bright lights, especially if they are flashing or strobe light patterns. In fact, some autistic people may be so sensitive to these types of stimuli that they cannot even tolerate them. This can be a challenge in the classroom setting for students on the spectrum.  However, there are ways for educators to provide solutions for coping with this type of hypersensitivity.

How ADHD Stimming Helps

There are multiple reasons an individual uses stimming. For some, they want to gain control over a situation, others are trying to redirect unpleasant energy or fear. When used for these reasons, sensory overload is typically involved. Stimming is a form of control and can appear in a dramatic movement.

Dramatic stimming can include rocking, crying, or jumping. These actions are able to help quiet an overloaded sensory system. Stimming can relieve excess energy, so tapping feet, pacing, and fidgeting can also quiet overloaded sensory systems. The core of ADHD is hyperactivity, so these actions are not abnormal, but more matter of course.

For some, stimming is used as a means to alleviate boredom. This is perhaps the most common reason for those without a disorder. These small expenditures of energy engage a body in several ways without taking a lot of effort or thought.

When to Intervene on ADHD Stimming

For the most part, stimming does not require intervention. If the action is not interfering with one’s daily life, you do not need to stop the action. When stimming begins to interfere with one living a well-adjusted, healthy life, then educators, parents, or therapists need to intervene.

Intervention is often needed when a child is on the ADS, and in some cases, children who have ADHD. If a child stares off into space and does not acknowledge their educator, it interferes with their academic achievement. If a child hums or speaks over others, this will also require intervention.

Intervention can include applied behavioral analysis, as these behaviors negatively impact a child’s social skills and social behaviors. Children with ADHD and sensory issues are likely to have larger stimming behaviors. These students will probably have an IEP, or 504 plan to improve their learning abilities.

ADHD stimming at home is unlikely to need the same level of intervention as when in school. You may still want to apply some support or an intervention such as ADHD therapy. Children with ADHD often have trouble sitting at the table and could develop unhealthy relationships with eating and food.

Other stimming events that can occur in the home include difficulty completing chores or listening to your directions, which can lead to rifts in relationships. There are some cases where stimming can lead to self-injury which will need intervention.

In Conclusion

Some people feel that discouraging a child not to stim is like forcing someone to give up something they love, that it is cruel. For others, stimming functions are a source of alienation from peers and must be addressed and resolved.  Determining if stimming is damaging or not depends on your child’s goals. You will have to seek the treatment you feel necessary for them to succeed.

Learn what to do if you are a parent struggling with ADHD symptoms.

Everyone has heard a lot about TikTok. Since its introduction, it has been incredibly popular and one of the most actively downloaded applications. Many celebrities and bloggers have their accounts there, in order to promote their content, while ordinary users watch the viral videos.

According to a 2021 study, TikTok has over 1 billion active users. Every day over 50 million people use this application.

We can only rejoice for app developers and creators and their success. However, there is a dark side. The incredibly popular networks are dangerous for kids’ online safety. Parents whose kids love to spend a lot of time on the phone should set up social media for kids and also take parental control seriously, as innocuous actions can backfire.

In this article, we will talk about the dangers of the TikTok app. We will tell you how to make safety settings and give some safety tips for your children.

What is the Danger of TikTok?

When buying a phone for our children, we do this so that our kids are always in touch and we know where they are. However, in the era of using the World Wide Web, it is impossible to keep track of all the actions of the child on the phone. Some parents do not even realize how reckless actions on the Internet can lead to dire consequences.

On the one hand, with the help of TikTok videos, they can learn a lot of new things thanks to educational content. They can observe other people’s talents and this can inspire them to find a new hobby. However, besides all this, there are also dangerous things.

Video 18+

Recommendations that are selected for viewing using the TikTok algorithms of the application can offer completely different videos for viewing. Initially, your child may watch funny videos with kittens and dogs, and the next one may be 18+ videos or clips where injuries are inflicted, or there is a conversation about the meaninglessness of life.

Application developers conduct regular work to track negative content, but such work cannot be done promptly.

Moreover, open profiles of children can lead to the fact that pedophiles or other unfriendly people can communicate with your child and force them to perform immoral actions. First of all, you need to set up your child’s account, make the account private, so that only friends can write messages and watch videos. Secondly, for your peace of mind, you can install a parental controls on a phone, which will monitor all of your child’s activity when you are not around and send you alerts, including apps inspired by TikTok.

Intimidation

Many children not only watch videos of other users, but also upload their videos, repeating trends and challenges. It seems quite harmless, but if your child provides personal information, then people with bad intentions can send messages and encourage them to shoot a video of a sexual nature, or simply send messages with threats that humiliate and insult your child. This can lead to the fact that your children become afraid and they may have thoughts of leaving life.

In order to avoid bullying, you should have a conversation with your child and explain that in no case, in any applications, they cannot indicate their personal information and place of residence. Explain that not all videos are good and harmless.

Also, do not prohibit the child from using these applications. Because everyone knows that when something is forbidden, it becomes what we desperately want. In this case, your child will hide many things from you. You should have a serious conversation with your child and explain in a calm tone how their actions on the Internet can turn out. Your job needs to include establishing trusting relationships and raising confident children.

How to make TikTok safe for your kid

How safe is the app for young children?

This year, the app has updated privacy settings to ensure that the app can be used by children over the age of 13. When registering, the application automatically makes the account private. Also, if children create their video, then only their friends, confirmed users of the application, can view it.

However, don’t completely rely on these settings. Many children may indicate that they are over 18 when registering and viewing adult content. Therefore, make sure your child’s account is private, and also check friends who can watch videos your child has posted.

Controlling content and personal interactions

One of the most invasive features of TikTok is the ability for users to go “live” after they have a certain number of followers.  Once they are streaming live, anyone can join and interact with the host in the chat.  The host can also allow individual viewers to go live with them on a split screen while everyone else watches. This can go sideways fast if a stranger taking part in the live event has anterior motives when connecting with a minor.

This is one of the many reasons to set up parental controls on TikTok to protect kids. The app allows you to link your account with your child’s account. To do this, you need to use the “Family Pairing” and “Digital Wellbeing” functions. Thanks to these functions, you get the opportunity to view personal correspondence with other users, set up restrictions on the use of the application, set time limits, and you can also prohibit viewing adult content.

Data collection

It’s no secret that many apps and social networks store your personal information. Moreover, TikTok sends your data to many companies and advertisers so that you can receive interesting advertising offers in the recommendation feed. If anyone has carefully read the privacy policy of this application, then you are well aware of this.

However, there is one thing that is not mentioned anywhere. When you are not using TikTok, but using other applications, then it collects all your data, such as passwords, bank card details, and other personal information.

Conclusion

The world of the Internet is incredibly exciting, but also dangerous, especially for children. Unsuspectingly, your children can fall prey to intruders and provide them with their personal information. Parents should get serious about Internet safety, review all the app settings that enable privacy features. Also, be sure to have a conversation with your child and explain what good and bad things are. It is not enough just to prohibit doing something, it is necessary to provide explanations so that your child learns to understand that many actions in applications can lead to sad consequences.

About the Author:
Ben Jacklin is an expert writer in software reviews and tutorials. He has qualifications in Media and Music Technology and has been blogging about  tech support since his teenage years. He writes on a variety of topics, including the latest trends in the world of media, gaming, and education, with a focus on providing high-quality and safe programs that might be useful for his readers.

COVID-19 is the latest in an ongoing series of events that has left most parents with unanswered questions about just how safe their children are when they’re in school.  This post will outline some of the security and safety technologies that schools should adopt to help provide a sense of peace within families.

The pandemic has left caused many parents to take a closer look about the safety of their children who may be at risk. Poor security measures can make any school unsafe, but it’s important for parents to know that there are things that can be done to keep safety and security central to the daily lives of their kids in school.

There has been a lot of attention paid to EdTech tools that ensure student safety online, but we must not neglect basic safety of the physical school itself.

School Security

It’s not uncommon that parents feel like they don’t know what’s going on with their child all day. This can erode the trust between parents and their child’s teachers and administrators, making communication difficult. That’s why it’s vital that schools implement new security technologies to help build that trust back up.

One of the most important ways to do this is to improve communication, so parents can feel more at ease when they’re not around. One way schools can do this is by implementing an app where parents can see what their child is learning, when they are in school, and how they are being graded.

It might seem like a small thing, but schools can also start by implementing technologies that help secure entrances and exits in schools. For example, schools should have an access control system that requires identification in order to enter. This might sound mundane, but it goes a long way in increasing security for our kids.

Security Technology Recommendations

Both parents and children need to feel secure about their school.  There shouldn’t be unanswered questions about safety throughout the public school system. The first step for schools should be to adopt security technology for kids K-12 that can help provide a sense of peace.

Security Cameras

Schools should have a security camera system that covers the entire building and grounds. This would allow the school to document all student and staff movements, and to manage data for all visitors.

Two-way Communication Systems

Additionally, schools should adopt a two-way communication system with remote, real-time video security capabilities to ensure that all security personnel can resolve security incidents quickly and at any point in time.

This system would allow the school to better understand the movement of staff and students and would also let them see what’s happening in various areas of the school at any given time.

Smart Door Locks

Schools need door locks that are quick and easy to install and use, as well as equipped with safety features. A wireless school door lock system offers remote unlock and lockdown capabilities controlled from any authorized personal device. When installing classroom and school door lock systems, it’s important to determine which type of credential and lock is best for each scenario.

For example, offices and storage closets should only be accessible by authorized staff, so a school door lock system that can be unlocked with a mobile or key card credentials is best. Similarly, science and computer labs with expensive equipment should have an access activity log in case an audit is needed.

COVID-19 has shown us that we can’t take security and safety for granted. Schools need to adopt these technologies to help instill a sense of calm in families and parents.

Playground Safety

With all the focus on keeping kids safe within the school, administrators should not neglect to think about proper measures for school playground safety, including proper exterior lighting around the school. This is especially beneficial in the winter when the sun is late to rise in the morning and early to set in the afternoon.  Lighting also ensures a safe playground in the evening all year round.

Prevention is key

Parents want to know that their children are safe in school, and they should have that peace of mind. With the use of security cameras, emergency call buttons, and other safety technologies, schools can provide a sense of security that parents have been missing.

Prevention is key in any situation when it comes to improving safety. It’s a matter of implementing the right security and safety technologies in schools so that people can feel safe in their environment.

Prevention starts with the idea of security and safety technologies in schools. Schools can use a variety of technologies to protect their students. For example, a school might want to invest in security cameras for hallways and the perimeter of the building. They can also install emergency call buttons in classrooms and hallways. All these solutions would provide a sense of security for students and parents alike.

Prevention is about implementing the right security and safety technologies in schools. By doing so, we give our children a fighting chance at feeling safe and secure no matter what happens.

Emergency Protocols

Your child’s school should be a place that fosters a strong support system, along with exploration, inclusively and inquisitiveness. Schools should be a place of happiness and safety. Children should be taught about potential dangers in a calm manner so they feel empowered to do the right thing when an issue arises. An investment in the security and safety technologies is one thing, but we all need to know the things we can do to protect ourselves as well.

For example, schools already have emergency protocols in place in the event of a fire. Do you also have those safety instructions at home? Here are some tips to teach kids what they need to know so you can both feel more prepared.

This infographic was created by BlowHard Fans, where the needs, challenges, and demands of firefighters are at the core what we do.