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

Discord has been gaining popularity as one of the most popular free audio, video, calling, and chatting services.  It initially gained popularity as a gaming and chat platform, but is now trying to reinvent itself as a place where like-minded people can socialize and discuss. Discord usage for business has even been increasing.

Parents often ask this relevant question about Discord since teens are the app’s intended audience. If your child uses Discord, should you be worried? How can you protect your kids from cyberbullying and harassment on Discord?

Even though Discord can be used safely with adequate precautions, it still comes with risks, just like every other open-chat program. We’ll do our best to give you all the necessary information about whether or not Discord is safe for kids.

What Is Discord?

Discord is a free application for PC and mobile that allows people to chat via text, voice, or video.

By combining Skype’s internet call features with Reddit-like discussion boards, it has diversified from a forum for gamers only to one for communities with a wide variety of interests, including anime, TV series, music, and more. Also, it can be used to chat with friends in a group.

Discord, which was founded in 2015, is a platform that brings individuals together with similar likes and interests. Video game players use it to communicate and develop a sense of community outside of the games themselves.

Over the years, it has expanded into an entire social network with over 140 million active monthly users. Gamers are no longer their only users.

Working of Discord

It is essential to have a clear understanding of the word ‘server’ to grasp how Discord works. Servers are like groups of users that can discuss a topic or game together, and users can also create a server to play with friends and other players.

Users can make servers public or private, depending on their choice. If the users choose to make the server public, everyone can join the server. And if the user makes the server private, only people with links can join. Whenever users invite their friends to the private server, they will get a link to join the server.

You can also divide existing servers into voice and text channels for specific discussion topics. The server owner can also set their own rules regarding what content to allow and how many people they can join their server.

Is Discord Safe?

Discord can be used safely with the correct privacy settings and monitoring. Nevertheless, open chat on sites and apps always poses a risk. Use Discord safely by accepting only friend requests from people you already know and joining private servers.

SECURITY UPDATE:  Beyond child safety alone, read about the new rust-based malware “ChaosBot” and how it uses Discord channels to control victims’ PC’s.

There have been instances when predators have used Discord’s public servers to send direct messages to children, although it’s rare. Despite the fact that server moderators are typically quick to intervene, kids and parents should learn how to spot creeps and online predators.

Discord is an open-chat platform, and like every other open-chat platform, it is also unveiled to different cyber threats if necessary precautions are not taken. Discord users are at risk of data breaches and undesired content.

The safety of Discord depends upon the intensity of security measures adopted by users. The only way to ensure the safety of users on Discord is to adopt safe practices while using this application.

Risks of Using Discord

Discord can be a beneficial app, but it is also dangerous and harmful for kids if necessary precautions are not taken while using this app. Discord is an open-chat platform, and like every other open-chat platform, it is also unveiled to different cyber threats if necessary precautions are not taken.

Discord comes with a number of risks. A few of them are mentioned below:

●     Discord makes Cyberbullying easier

Discord is an open-chat platform that allows users to chat with their friends, families, and strangers. It is more prevalent among teens and kids as a social network for gaming chatting, and streaming.

However, Kids and teens are also using this app for bullying. Discord provides a feature in which audio and video streams disappear, making it easier for bullies to bully others without leaving any evidence on Discord.

●     Easy for predators to contact children using Discord

Discord allows its users to meet and chat with strangers, and like other open-chat platforms, people on Discord can also lie about their identity or who they are? Predators can manipulate and stalk your kids via Discord.

Predators can send inappropriate content, images, videos, audios, etc., to your kids, or they can blackmail your kids. They can even groom your kids to perform some unbefitting tasks, which can be harmful to your kids.

●     Difficult to Moderate

Like many others, open-chat and private communication app discord is dangerous as it is challenging to control real-time communication. Audio and video streams disappear in Discord.

An individual server carries out the content moderation process. Hence the groups have servers of different standards, and some of the servers are administered better than others.

Users can report issues to Discord directly, but this is a time-consuming process, and your child may gain access to or be exposed to improper content.

●     Kids may get access to pornography and Exploitation

Discord has lots of private groups, including groups of criminal activity, child pornography, etc. These groups can trap your kids and expose these types of adult content to your kids.

However, Discord is trying to solve this problem by breaking down pornography and criminal activities groups.  It is still a better alternative than Mastodon, which is offers more freedom without restrictions.

What’s Good About Discord?

Despite the risks of Discord, it has some positive aspects. There are a lot of chat apps out there, but Discord stands out because of its simple UI. It doesn’t take up too much space on the device and allows youngsters to communicate with their real-life pals while playing a virtual game.

Discord has been a social savior for many teenagers and kids during the pandemic. They use Discord to stream movies and games with friends to kill time and get over boredom.

Another advantage is secrecy. Teenagers can use Discord to avoid public conversation in games where strangers disparage others or share inappropriate stuff.

Discord’s concentration on interest groups also helps kids connect with others who share their passions without sifting through unnecessary postings or ads they might see on other social media platforms.

The Bottom Line

If your kid can safely use Discord, it can be a way to interact with their real-life pals via gaming when they can’t be together in person. They might be able to find a group interested in discussing their common interests.

On the other hand, Discord will always be a riskier software to use due to the lack of parental controls. Consider whether the benefits of Discord outweigh the risks. If you decide to let your children use this app, make sure they have an internal filter installed to keep them safe while they’re online.

Many people consider Math one of the most challenging subjects in school, with most kids feeling nervous and stressed when they stare at a math problem. This apprehension is due to a condition called math anxiety. Often, this condition carries into adulthood. Luckily, math anxiety has several solutions, and this article will uncover them.

What is Math Anxiety?

Have you ever been in a situation where you tell your child to do their math homework and countenance change? Math anxiety can make your child act out that way. Typically, Math anxiety is a feeling of tension, discomfort, and fear in math situations. This negative emotional reaction can affect a child’s overall understanding, appreciation, and performance in math. According to the University of Cambridge research, math anxiety can gravely impede students’ performance and grades in elementary and high school.

What Causes Math Anxiety?

Math is a foundational subject, so kids need to embrace its conceptual language. Understanding the concept and triggers of math anxiety will help you generate ways to make math a loveable subject for your kid. After careful research, it is apparent that some causes of math anxiety include:

●     Shaky Math Foundation

A major cause of math anxiety arises when children do not have the basic knowledge of mathematical concepts. Experts believe that people start to exhibit symptoms of math anxiety when they struggle with basic math concepts and skills earlier in life. When their teachers begin introducing advanced math concepts, things could worsen, and they completely lose interest in their math classes.

Remember that math is one subject that builds upon itself. You learn the basics from an early class, and as you progress higher to more difficult math studies such as calculus, you have to expand the concepts you learned in your previous grades. Since Math is a part of your kid’s curriculum, they will have to do the compulsory class. They encounter more mathematical problems that they do not understand as they get into higher classes. Gradually, the resentment for Math may build until your child eventually develops Math anxiety.

●     Pressure from time limits on tests

Some teachers impose unreasonable time limits on math tests, leading to a child developing math anxiety. The kid focuses more on how fast the time moves during the tests than solving the math problems. When kids get low grades from these unrealistic time limits, they may end up feeling discouraged and sad that they could not ace their tests. This bruise to their self-esteem further feeds their nervousness and fear of math.

●     Fear of Failure

Most students develop math anxiety when teachers or parents continually put pressure them for poor grades. Some parents do not understand that kids learn in various ways, so they should grow at their own pace.  When you compare your child to other kids who excel in their math education just because your child failed, you only push them further towards math anxiety. Parents and teachers play important roles in a child’s math performance, so it is their job to help them in overcoming a fear of math.

5 Practical Advice On How To Help A Child Overcome Math Anxiety

Your kids need all the help they can need to pass through math anxiety unscathed. Note that math skills are essential for every child, so it is only ideal for parents and teachers to work collectively to make kids enjoy math and stop math anxiety. Here are five practical pieces of advice on how to overcome math anxiety in your child.

Encourage your kids

If you always tell the kids that they’re doing a good job, it will make them do even better. When they get an answer wrong, encourage them to try again since consistent practice births perfection. You can encourage your child to love math using various handy online tools on the internet. These tools can also help your kids hone their digital skills alongside their math skills. You do not even need to bother about parental controls when your kids learn online because there are some safe online tools you can use to achieve your aim of eliminating their math anxiety.

Encourage your kids to solve math problems themselves because they end up seeing math from a different perspective. Do not be too quick to help them out. Ask them questions like “What is the question asking? Is there another way to solve this problem? What do you think you should do?” Questions like these will challenge them to reason out various ways to solve the problem. You might even learn a thing or two from your kids along the way.

Play Math Games

Learning math for kids should be an exciting experience. Endeavor to expose them to games that will spike their interest in math and overrun their math anxiety. These games should teach kids various mathematical concepts and practice math skills in a non-threatening environment. Since they will be learning math in a non-threatening environment, they will learn better and faster at their own pace. They would also be able to recall previous lessons easily and faster.

Children have excess energy to jump and play around. So, why not make their playtime worthwhile by encouraging them to play games that can hone their math and geometry skills? When children see that math is not an agonizing but a fun learning experience, that will eliminate their math anxiety.

Make Math Fun

To help your child overcome math anxiety, find creative ways to make math for kids fun. Most kids find math boring; hence, the loss of interest in the various mathematical concepts. Books with riddles and puzzles are great options to make math fun for your kids. Get your kids math-related books; this will not only encourage reading but will also encourage their love for math.

Math-related shows and cartoons can be of great assistance in helping your child overcome their math anxiety. Kids like anything that entertains them. Games and educational cartoons present math in a simpler form. As they continually watch these shows, they will overcome their math anxiety.

Hire a Tutor

In your quest to get rid of your child’s math anxiety, you will need help from reliable professionals. You can homeschool your child by contacting tutors who have experience with math for kids. These instructors will match your child’s pace and teach math problems in simpler forms.

Through innovative teaching methods, these tutors will help your child become capable of solving math problems without any feeling of anxiety. Since the tutors are professionals, they have special training in providing personal assistance to kids in a conducive environment. When the atmosphere is friendly, it eases the tension with math anxiety, and your child can be more relaxed. These tutors use math for kids online to build your child’s problem-solving skills and confidence level.

Make Them Aware of Their Math Anxiety

The first crucial step in overcoming a phobia is acknowledging the problem. Make your kids aware of their math anxiety and that it is completely normal to feel that way. When your kid is aware of their anxiety and its consequences, they want to know how to get rid of it. Assure them that everything will be okay, and they just need to work towards overcoming their math anxiety.

Your kid needs to understand that making mistakes does not make them complete failures. Instead, it is an opportunity to learn and try again. This way, they will cultivate a growth mindset and strive to do better in anything they do.

Conclusion

Kids love gifts and rewards, so motivate them by rewarding them anytime they answer math questions correctly. Always remember that learning is a gradual process. Empathic actions like encouraging them to solve a math problem, using games to demystify math concepts and helping them accept their math anxiety will go a long way in helping them overcome it.

As a parent, I have had the joy of raising my own children with dogs. We have raised several breeds of dogs over the years, but one thing is for sure – no matter what breed you raise or adopt, your life will be better for it.  The unconditional love that our family pets show us is beyond amazing!

Kids are drawn to animals and vice versa, so consider adding some furry friends to your family’s dynamic if you are looking for ways to enhance your child’s development and overall well-being.

Experts say: “Protecting kids from pets is probably one of the worst things we can do as parents. Petting a dog lowers your blood pressure and reduces stress, while the unconditional love you get from a pet can be an excellent way to teach your children about trust.”

In fact, it’s been scientifically proven that “pets have been shown to reduce blood pressure as well as other serious health conditions such as heart failure, depression and asthma. In addition, pets provide psychological benefits such as increased self-esteem, elevated social interactions and reduced risk for loneliness – all factors that contribute to better overall health”.

Family Friendly Dogs

Here are 8 of the best breeds for children:

1) Golden Retrievers

Goldens have a “soft mouth,” meaning they can carry an egg in their mouths without breaking it. As such, kids love to climb all over them and pull on their fur. They are patient, kind, loving dogs that get along well with everyone (humans and other animals included). Golden’s make awesome family pets, but be aware that they shed quite heavily. Some Golden Retrievers need breed-specific dog food, so make sure you have it prepared.

2) Beagles

I know several families who have raised beagles over the years. I still think that beagles are awesome! They are active, smart, gentle and always searching for food…  If you’re not careful with your training (and discipline), your Beagle will become your child’s best friend and a nightmare for you. The good thing about beagles is that they are easy to train, often house trained by eight weeks of age, and very smart. To aid in the training process, you can consider using outdoor dog grass for balconies, providing a convenient and accessible potty area for your Beagle. With their intelligence and eagerness to please, Beagles can quickly adapt to using such designated spaces.   However, watch out because these little guys can get into just about anything!

3) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This breed is another one that I love having around the home. It originated in the UK and has become very popular in the United States. They are gentle with children and other pets, eager to please their owners and incredibly affectionate. Kids should always help socialize this dog from an early age to ensure they grow up to be even-tempered and well adjusted. If you’re not prepared for the grooming requirements of this breed (they need regular haircuts), then do not adopt them… Or at least don’t let your kids near them!

4) Bearded Collie

Also known as ‘Beau’s’ these giants were originally bred as herding dogs. They have the classic droopy eyes and facial fur that is instantly recognizable on TV or anywhere else you might see one… These gentle giants love children, adults and other animals (including cats!). However, it’s important to teach children how to be gentle around dogs – even if they are very friendly and well-trained.

Beardies need a lot of exercise and will benefit from lots of toys and playtime! They also need brushing daily, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to them… If you do, you will definitely not regret this family pet choice – they really are awesome. You can check out this breed guide to learn all about bearded collies.

5) Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are one of the best family pets! As with most hound breeds, these dogs are good-natured, patient and very affectionate. They’re quiet too which makes them great if you live in an apartment or townhouse. One of their few drawbacks is that they need a lot of exercises to remain happy, active and healthy… So having a big backyard or being able to take them on lots of walks every day is important for this breed.

6)  Miniature Schnauzers

Miniature Schnauzers are incredibly loyal, intelligent, agile and have a great temperament. They will be quite happy living in small spaces as long as they are given sufficient attention from their owners (this breed easily gets bored). Generally friendly with strangers (and other animals), the only downside to this breed is that they’re not very good around young children. This can be due to their unmanageable size or fast movements – either way; watch your child’s safety if you bring this pet into your home!

7) Pug

Pugs are another low-shedding breed, making them the perfect pet for allergy sufferers. They are also easy to train and most enjoy being around children. Some owners complain that they grow up to be stubborn little dogs with a mind of their own but I disagree – most pugs are very loyal and loving towards their owners, including kids. You will have to watch how much they eat though, pugs gain weight notoriously fast!

8) Yorkie Terrier

Also known as the ‘Yorkie’, these little dogs are incredibly loyal, affectionate and devoted. They don’t require much exercise (if any at all depending on your home environment) so they’re great for people who live in small apartments or condos. What they do require however is lots of love and attention from their owners! As with all terriers, Yorkies need consistent training, specific Yorkie dog food, and discipline starting when they are very young puppies. If you can provide this strong leadership early in life, the bond that will form between you and your dog will last for many years to come.

Researching Breeds

There you have it! 8 of the best family dogs that I know of. Take your time researching breeds before you bring any dog into your home, especially if you have children or other pets. Find a breed that fits in well with your lifestyle and remember to always supervise kids around dogs – no matter how trustworthy they are!

As with any breed or pet that you choose for your family, it’s crucial that kids understand the basic safety rules (for example: don’t stick fingers in dog’s mouths; don’t run near dogs; always ask before touching; keep all food out of reach etc.)  So educate yourself as much as possible about pet’s breed and their specific traits before you decide to bring them home.

Additional Resources on Pets

• Continue you learning about dogs and other pets, including pet insurance.
• Do reptiles make good pets?  Review the top child friendly reptiles.
• Read about summertime safety for your pet!

Parenting is a challenging enough task to handle on its own. When a parent has ADHD symptoms, the task of parenting effectively can seem insurmountable. However, parents with ADHD are not alone in their struggles. Many parents learn how to cope with ADHD symptoms and raise a family effectively.

This post will explore some tips for juggling ADHD and the responsibilities of parenthood.

But, before we begin…

Take a moment to praise yourself. You are here because you want to be a better parent. You, like many good parents, acknowledge that there are always ways we can be better, more effective parents. The fact that you are reading this shows your desire to improve your parenting skills and that desire to be better is a quality all parents should possess, regardless of ADHD diagnoses.

What are Common ADHD Symptoms Experienced by Parents?

ADHD symptoms are characterized by difficulty maintaining attention, mental fogginess, a lack of organizational skills, and impulsivity (among other symptoms, such as restlessness and an inability to relax). If you have ever been a new parent, you’ll know that some of these symptoms are unavoidable whether or not you have an ADHD diagnosis, which is why accessible options like Online ADHD Therapy can be so beneficial.

New parents often experience higher stress levels and suffer from a severe lack of sleep. This can lead to short-term symptoms that appear to mimic the symptoms of ADHD – forgetfulness, a lack of clarity, and trouble with executive functioning, to name a few.

Now, add chronic sleep deprivation and increased stress to an already existing ADHD diagnosis, and the difficulty of being a parent with ADHD becomes more apparent.

Usual Treatments for ADHD in Adults

Generally, ADHD is treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Medications are usually stimulants and help patients focus on tasks and improve executive function. The therapy, typically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is designed to help patients realize the relationship between thoughts and behaviors.

Medication and Therapy Cannot be Crutches

Therapy with medication is essential, but sometimes they aren’t enough on their own. Medication is highly effective in managing symptoms during the day, but the effects of stimulants wear off after regular working hours. Parenting is a 24/7 job, and Mom or Dad is always on call.

When the day job is over, parents must see that activities and tasks are completed, they must pay bills, and make sure meals are on the table. A parent with ADHD can’t be on stimulants all the time because, like any medication, stimulants have side effects.

ADHD Usually Leads to Other Disorders

It is no stretch of the imagination that people diagnosed with ADHD often also receive diagnoses of depression and anxiety. Because it is hard to work a full-time job and be a full-time parent while managing ADHD symptoms, parents with ADHD often struggle with burnout and depression. They may question their self-worth and their ability to be a good parent.

So, how can parents with ADHD better manage their symptoms?

How Can Parents With ADHD Protect Against Burnout and Depression?

1. Acknowledge and accept that you can’t be the perfect parent all the time. As parents, we need to take time to engage in self-care. We cannot effectively take care of others if we first don’t see to our own needs.

2. Take time to exercise. Exercise has been proven to help improve focus, attention, and thinking skills. It is often recommended as an additional treatment for ADHD alongside therapy and medication. While any type of exercise is good for improving overall health, specifically cardiovascular exercise is considered best for managing symptoms of ADHD.

3. Take advantage of your little helpers! Let your children help you manage some safe and easy tasks at home, like setting the table, taking out the trash, or doing the dishes. Your children will feel like a part of the household and might learn to look forward to lending a helping hand. Plus, as your children grow, they can handle more involved tasks.

4. Use lists! If you are struggling with executive functioning after your medication has worn off, rely on lists to help guide you through the obligatory tasks of parenting.

5. Make play part of your routine. All work and no play is not good for anyone. Remember, adults can have fun too, and scheduling small moments of joy can help you stay grounded and energized.

ADHD is Hereditary

ADHD is an inherited condition. If you have ADHD, your children will likely exhibit some of the symptoms of ADHD as well. Likewise, if you feel distracted, foggy, impulsive, and prone to mood swings, and one of your children has an ADHD diagnosis, you may want to consider seeking out an ADHD diagnosis online or through an in-person evaluation.

Though it is undoubtedly more challenging to manage the responsibilities of being a parent while also handling the symptoms of ADHD, with some self-love, patience, and a management plan, you can succeed in both roles.

About the Author:

Roni Davis is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant
operating out of the greater Philadelphia area.