Internet Safety Resources for Parents to Keep Kids Safe Online

As a blogger, school technology magnet coordinator, and social media consultant, I spend my days immersed in technology. Having recently participated in Mom Congress, Wired Safety's Wired Kids Summit in DC, and through my regular conversations with tech-savvy and tech-scared parents, I keep hearing about the great need for parent education regarding social networking, social media, and the general need for tips on how to keep kids safe online.

Whether you have jumped in to the world of social media or are just getting your feet wet into social networking tools like Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, and FourSquare, do you consider yourself knowledgeable enough to have a conversation with your kids about the risks and rewards of the internet? If you have had family conversations about online boundaries for your kids, have other parents you know done the same in their households?

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but the seedy side of the internet is still out there. The tools that were once invented for the intent of connecting people in a positive way, can also have a dangerous side. Yes, I’m talking about Chat Roulette and Formspring. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I bet your kids do!

But before you ask them to explain Chat Roulette, get online and do some research. While you may not want to pull up either of the aforementioned sites, a simple Google search will tell you everything you need to know. Do the same for any site you don’t know about and have heard your kids mention to their friends or in passing.

These days even the most wired parents are wondering how to keep their younger kids safe online. What would you when your tween requests a Facebook account despite the minimum age being 13? Do you know the content of your kids’ MySpace? If you wonder why there’s such a need to constantly text, maybe you should take a look at what they are sending and receiving on their cell phones.

If I’ve just instilled some fear in you, that’s a good thing. If you are wondering you might keep your kids safe in an online world that changes rapidly, there are many resources available to help you stay knowledgeable about the tools your kids are using. Such resources can help you stay on top of the current issues like the 6 things you need to know about cyberbullying, how to start a conversation about hard-to-talk about topics like grooming (and we aren’t talking about personal hygiene!), what information should and shouldn’t be posted on Facebook, and the dangers of sexting.

Here are some of my favorite resources that help me stay on top of all the issues regarding internet safety:


Yahoo Safely- With distinct resources and links for teens and parents thanks to separate tabs at the top of the page along with informative content from safety experts like ConnectSafely and WiredSafety, this comprehensive site has the power to turn you into an internet safety expert. Take a look at the introduction to online safety, read expert opinions on topics through the Expert Blogs, and make a family pledge for online safety.


MTV’s A Thin Line- If you are having trouble getting through to your kid and need to harness the power of the media, MTV’s A Thin Line is a public service campaign designed to to help teens "identify, respond to, and stop the spread of digital abuse in your life and amongst your peers." MTV designed the campaign to make teens and tweens aware of the fact that "there's a "thin line" between what may begin as a harmless joke and something that could end up having a serious impact on you or someone else." Have your kids take the online quiz on the A Thin Line homepage, get facts about topics like sexting, constant texting, digital stalking, and digital disrepect, and watch MTV produced videos that contain powerful messages. If you can’t get through to your kids, hopefully MTV can!

Common Sense Media- This non-profit is dedicated to helping “parents, educators, and young people make better decisions about the media and entertainment in their lives.” Through their resources, Common Sense aims to provide trustworthy information for families to make their own educated choices about all media that consumed in their home. I love that they provide the real deal on social networking. A quick glance at the home page for social networking tools allows me to view how the site were rated and the age the site is most appropriate for. I can mouse over the screenshot to get a 1 paragraph description or click to read a more in depth interview about the good, bad, and the ugly.

BitMoms- This free online community is an internet security and safety resources for moms. The community features a blog where members are welcome to post about issues regarding online safety, discussion forums, and a Content Library where you can find information about talking to your children about internet dangers, how to protect yourself when doing online shopping, protecting your Facebook photos, and PDFs to download and share. I have to admit that I’m a little biased in my love towards this site as the designated Chief BitMom. As Chief BitMom, my role is to blog and vlog(!) about current topics relating to online safety- like how to talk to your kids about sexting and the lowdown on Formspring. If you are sick of me, I promise I’m not the only one who writes blog posts! The BitMoms Blog Network members are a knowledgeable bunch with kids of all ages so feel free to join us in the conversation or take a look at what we are saying! Look for a special Tech Savvy Mama reader bonus for signing up for BitMoms later this week!

Making Social Media Safe for Kids- This slide show presentation explains the various privacy settings on social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace and provides tips on teaching your kids about how to communicate appropriately in online settings. The slide show says, “It is much easier to talk to your kids about being safe online, if you are using the tools themselves.” So true!

View more presentations from Raising Arizona Kids magazine.

Even though internet safety month ends today, the need to keep kids safe online is an ongoing battle and one that needs to be discussed constantly!

This post was inspired by Yahoo! MotherBoard’s June blog topic of online safety. To see what other MotherBoard members are saying about the topic, click here. I work for BitDefender’s BitMoms site as a paid consultant although I am never required to write about the community on my own site. All opinions are my own.

VTech MobiGo- Shooting game masquerading as educational game?

Would you purchase a product that billed itself as educational but contained a shooting game? What if you didn't know a company was including a shooting game with a device you were purchasing?

I received a sample of VTech’s newest product, the MobiGo ($59.99) and the Touch & Learn Game Pack cartridge that comes standard with the device. Falling within the target demographic (ages 3-8), almost 4 year old Captain Computer was thrilled to get his hands on such a cool looking device. While a bit big for his little hands, the touch screen and QWERTY keyboard are nice features. The included cartridge comes with 6 games and I was a little taken aback to find a game called The Shooting Gallery on an educational toy.

The Shooting Gallery is a game that requires kids to "shoot" at ducks with letters on their backs by finding the corresponding letter on the keyboard. When a child taps the game to begin, it starts by saying "ready, aim, fire." Images of guns shooting at the ducks are part of the game.

Comics Go Digital on the Sony PlayStation Portable

Little Miss Techie loves to read and recently she’s been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the weekend for the delivery of the Sunday comics at our doorstep. Watching her sitting at our kitchen table reading through the comics and hearing her giggle reminds me of how much I loved the comics at her age too.

It should be no surprise that the comics have gone digital and are now available on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). DC Comics brings some of the world’s most well known heroes and villains to the screen of the handheld device. The PlayStation Store boasts 80 titles including Batman: Hush, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Fables: Legends in Exile and Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories and exclusive comics like Superman/Batman!

My PSP came loaded with Archie but I found are lots more free titles available through the free comics section in the PlayStation Store. I was pleased to find that the overview of each comic included a general age range recommended by the publishers. Of the 27 free titles, I found that there was an excellent selection for Little Miss Techie. Comics I downloaded for the 3+ age range included Donald Duck and the Fussy Genie, AstroBoy, Wallace and Gromit, and Young Salem for Little Miss Techie’s reading pleasure.

Even though I may have just written about establishing guidelines for summer screen time, encouraging children to practice their reading skills by reading the comics is far better than not reading at all. Plus the novelty of reading on the PSP can be a huge motivation for reluctant readers!

I do love that my PSP now houses 8 different digital comics to provide Little Miss Techie with lots of reading for our upcoming trips. My only concern is that once she starts reading comics on my PSP, I’m not sure I’ll ever get it back!

What was your favorite comic as a kid? Leave a comment below and be entered to win a $50 PlayStation Network gift card courtesy of the PlayStation Family Fun Campaign! Also feel free to visit these posts for additional entries!

I was invited to participate in the PSP Summer Family Fun blogger program by Sony Corporate Entertainment America and share my experiences using the PSP. I received these items to document my experiences and was not compensated for my participation however, I do hope that my involvement might allow me the opportunity to win a BlogHer conference sponsorship. All opinions are my own. $50 Sony PlayStation Network gift card will be given away at the end of my 3 week participation in the PSP Summer Family Fun blogger program.

Tech Savvy Guest American Cancer Society's CEO Shares New Laws Protecting Kids from Big Tobacco

Did you know tobacco use kills more than 440,000 people each year and costs $96 billion in health care expenditures annually. Today, 3,900 kids will try a cigarette for the first time and 1,000 kids will become addicted, daily smokers.

Today’s Tech Savvy Guest is Dr. John R. Seffrin, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society and The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Dr. Seffrin joins us to celebrate the year anniversary of the President signing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act into law. The tough new rules on tobacco marketing and sales to kids that are part of this law will go into effect next week. It is my hope that by sharing Dr. Seffrin’s post here, that I am spreading awareness about the new rules going to prevent somebody’s child from becoming a statistic.

As a father, I know how hard parents try to protect our kids from danger. I hope all parents join me today in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over the tobacco industry. With 1,000 children becoming addicted every day and another 3,900 children picking up their first cigarette, this legislation is necessary to safeguard our kids from Big Tobacco’s predatory and deceptive marketing.

The law has already banned the manufacturing and distribution of candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes that were intended to entice kids to start smoking. Beginning this month, the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to minors will be prohibited by federal law and tobacco vending machines will be banned except in adult-only facilities. Additionally, we will see:

• larger, stronger warning labels on smokeless tobacco products
• a ban on the use of misleading descriptions such as “light” “mild” or “low-tar” in marketing and packaging cigarettes
• a ban on all tobacco-brand sponsorships of sports and cultural events
• a ban on virtually all free tobacco samples and giveaways of non-tobacco items, such as hats and T-shirts, with the purchase of tobacco
• a prohibition on the sale of cigarettes in packs of less than 20. This will eliminate so-called “kiddie packs” that make cigarettes more affordable and appealing to kids.

We expect that with effective implementation, the law will have a huge impact on ensuring that fewer kids start to smoke.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Cancer Society’s advocacy affiliate, and its volunteers were strong advocates for this legislation and are working to ensure that the law is implemented as strongly as possible. To find out more about this law and ACS CAN’s efforts, please visit http://acscan.org/protectkids and participate in our Twitter party on June 29 from 2-3 pm.

If you have any questions about the new tobacco regulations, the ACS will be answering question about this legistation and the impact of these tough new tobacco rules during the live Twitter chat. Follow the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on Twitter at @ACSCAN.

Smoking-related diseases remain the most preventable cause of death in the world. This law will help to deter our kids from smoking. Thank you for being a part of the fight to protect our kids from Big Tobacco.
No compensation was received for this post. I received this information through my voluntary participantion in the American Cancer Society’s Bloggers for More Birthdays Campaign.

New on LeapFrog Community: Establishing Guidelines for Summer Screentime

Summer is here and limiting screen time can be a challenge especially when screens not only include the television, computer, and gaming done on the family TV but also handheld devices like my Sony PSP, apps played on my iPhone during idle time, and even on our new Leapster Explorer.

Since our Explorer came into the house, it has been a challenge to keep it away from Little Miss Techie and Captain Computer. Although I do love how educational it is, screentime is still screentime. I want to make sure that we have a well rounded summer that includes use of their favorite media along with a healthy dose of outside time combined with keeping up academics to prevent the infamous summer slide.

For tips on limiting screentime, please visit The LeapFrog Community to read my newest post called Establishing Guidelines for Summer Screentime for some easy tips on how you can set rules in your home regarding the use of the many screens in our lives.

Don't forget that you can enter to win the brand new LeapFrog Leapster Explorer and have it delivered right to your door the very day it comes out in stores (July 15) by entering here. Giveaway closes on midnight this Friday, June 25!

I am a paid contributor and write for The LeapFrog Community each week. I am not required to link to my posts on my personal site nor am I paid to do so. LeapFrog provided our family with an Explorer for review purposes.

#LosetheLaptop Update- Using my HTC Tilt2 to Score a Deal on a New Hybrid

Who in the world takes their cell phone with them and uses it as a tool for comparison shopping when buying a new car? I do! I’ve reached a new level of geekdom by bringing my HTC Tilt2 to the car dealership so I could use Windows Mobile to read our car comparison spreadsheet!

Since June's Lose the Laptop theme is shopping, click here to read all about my latest retail adventures with my HTC Tilt2 and how it helped me be an informed consumer while car shopping then please cast your vote for me!

If I’m the selected blogger who wins this month’s $500 Amazon shopping spree as the prize, someone who votes for me will also be a selected to win $500 to Amazon AND your very own HTC Tilt2! Don’t forget to vote daily so we can both have a chance at winning big this month!

Thank you!!!

I am 1 of 10 bloggers participating in the AT&T Lose the Laptop campaign. I received a HTC Tilt2 and AT&T service for the duration of the campaign.

Shhh…Don’t tell the kids Mommy’s watching a movie on her PSP!

School ended last week and since the kids were immediately whisked away for few days at Camp Grandma and Grandpa, I had a little more time to relax, catch up on some unfinished projects, and get to know my Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) a little better.

As part of the #PSPFamilyFun Program, my PSP came preloaded with all kinds of great age appropriate content for my kids like games, comics, and movies. Since Little Miss Techie and Captain Computer weren’t around, I set up our hammock in the shade, grabbed a cold drink, and enjoyed watching It’s Complicated right in my backyard! Photo below was taken inside due to glare on the screen.


I love the design of the PSP because it was ergonomical and comfortable to hold while watching the movie. The picture was also crystal clear thanks to the high resolution screen. I know it will be great for movie watching on the go thanks to it being so light (approximately 10 ounces!) yet it has a large enough screen (4 ½”) so Little Miss Techie and Captain Computer will be able to view it with ease during flights later this summer.

I found that the sound quality on the PSP to be much better than expected. While it wasn’t THX theater quality or akin to home surround sound, it did not have the tinny sound that many portable devices seem to have. I also appreciate that the highest volume setting on the PSP won’t wreck my kids’ ears, even if they do plug in a set of headphones when using the PSP for movie watching on the go.

While I didn’t exactly have 2 hours to watch the movie from start to finish (wouldn’t that have been indulgent!), it was easy for me to figure out where I had left off thanks to the navigational features that allow me to view scences in 15 second, 30 second, or 1 minute intervals. Even though it may sound tedious to go through thumbnails a minute at a time, the right arrow on the joystick control takes users through scences at lightning fast speed while the counter in the bottom right corner shows play time versus total run time.


I think our new PSP will be a welcome addition in my carry on luggage this summer because of its compact size and ability to hold more movies on its 4GB memory card!

What have been some of your favorite movies this year that you think I should add to my PSP to get us ready for summer travel? Leave a comment for kids' movies and another for movies you think I would like and each comment will be an entry to win a $50 Sony PSP gift card courtesy of the Sony #PSPFamilyFun campaign! Please include your Twitter handle or email in your entries! Thanks!

For additional entries, tweet this daily: Tell @TechSavvyMama what movies 2 add to her Sony @PlayStation Portable (PSP). Answer & enter 2 win $50 PlayStation GC: http://bit.ly/bliQvg Then come back and leave a link to your Tweet in your comments.

And thanks to everyone who commented here with suggestions about games I should add to my PSP! I love your great ideas and look forward to adding more content in time for summer travel!

I was invited to participate in the PSP Summer Family Fun blogger program by Sony Corporate Entertainment America and share my experiences using the PSP. I received these items to document my experiences and was not compensated for my participation however, I do hope that my involvement might allow me the opportunity to win a BlogHer conference sponsorship.

Getting to Know My Sony PSP- How You Can Help & Win!

School ends today which means I get to spend some time getting to know my new Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)! For the next 3 weeks I’ll be sharing my experience with as part of the PSP Family Fun Program.

I’m hoping that my blog-u-mentary will not only help you learn about the features of the PSP but that it will also qualify me to have my BlogHer NYC conference fees covered.

Here’s how you can help- Anyone who comments on any of my PSP posts for the next 3 weeks will be entered to win a $50 PlayStation Network gift card good for games, add-on packs, full-length movies, TV shows and more!

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me if you have a handheld gaming device. It’s ok to leave a comment just saying you don’t own one but if you are a PSP owner, leave me some recommendations of things you love that you think I should try out! Be sure to leave your email or Twitter handle in your comment!

2. Tweet this daily until my next post about PSP and come back and comment here letting me know you’ve done so. Each daily tweet counts as an entry! Hey @PlayStation users- @TechSavvyMama wants 2 know what U love about your Sony @PlayStation Portable (PSP). Let her know here: http://bit.ly/atPk7Q #pspfamilyfun

3. Answer this Tweet and come back and leave a comment to be entered to win: Hi @TechSavvyMama! I love my @PlayStation because... #PSPFamilyFun

I received a Summer Idle Kit courtesy of Sony that contained the items pictured above to help document my experience for my Sony PSP Family Fun Program blog-u-mentary. I am not being compensated for my involvement but hope to qualify to have my BlogHer NYC conference fees covered through my participation.

Summer Learning on The LeapFrog Community featuring Summer Bridge Activities (w. giveaway)

With summer officially beginning mid-day tomorrow, the teacher in me is just as excited as my kids but as a parent, I know how important it is for them to maintain their skills in order to prevent the famed summer slide. Making learning fun can be a challenge between camp, pool trips, and playdates but there are fun ways you can spend a mere 10-15 minutes each day to ensure that your child will be ready for school again come fall.

In this week’s post on The LeapFrog Community I wrote about Promoting Summer Learning for Kids with Different Learning Styles and included a brief review of the Summer Bridge Activities Series ($14.95 retail or $10-12 each from Amazon) designed for preK- 8th graders.

This series is perfect for paper and pencil learners who like show what they know on a worksheet. I like the format of Summer Bridge because the books are grade level specific and review content while previewing new reading, math, science, social studies, and geography curriculum that will be taught in the next grade level. Summer Bridge makes review for any age short and sweet- we found that it only takes 10-15 minutes a day to complete the required page a day!

If you’d like to enter to win a set of 2 Summer Bridge Activities books to use with you children this summer, read my Promoting Summer Learning for Kids with Different Learning Styles post on The LeapFrog Community and come back here to leave a comment telling me what kind of learner you think your child is.

Good luck and happy summer!

No compensation was received for this post. Thanks to Summer Bridge Activities and Carson-Dellosa Publishing for providing samples to review and as giveaways. I am a paid contributor to The LeapFrog Community but am not required to share my posts on my personal site.

Lessons Learned About Relationships from DC Metro Moms Brands & Blogger Symposium

If you were to ask me to summarize everything I have learned about blogging, I would have to say that relationships are critical in the blogging world.

This Sunday I had the privilege attending a series of events hosted by the Silicon Valley Moms Group fo DC Metro Moms. Representing BitMoms in my new role as Chief BitMom, and later as my own blogging self, allowed me to reflect about the kinds of relationships I’ve had in the last 2 ½ years as a blogger and working with brands.

On a daily basis, blogging is a pretty solitary venture. Lots of late nights in front of the computer don’t allow for the face-to-face conversations you would have with colleagues in a traditional office setting. In the online world, relationshipsthing I have learned about blogging, I would have to say that relationships are critical in the blogging world.

This Sunday I had the privilege attending a series of events hosted by the Silicon Valley Moms Group begin on Twitter or by following blogs through a feed to get to know writers and their content. Think of it as speed dating. Whether via RSS, through your reader, or Twitter, you may start out following many but after a few rounds of reading, you narrow your selection down to a few that really click with you.

Virtual speed dating can move an online relationship to the dating stage. Email exchanges back and forth between a blogger and PR/ brands can be sometimes lead to a long term relationship. But sometimes the date never gets off the ground. Maybe the pitch is impersonal or there’s no match between the blog audience and product. Or perhaps the relationship is one sided with bloggers being asked to post a link/contest/ giveaway with nothing offered in return. Sometimes there are mistakes made and while it may be difficult to move beyond some, others are merely rough patches on the road to a long term relationship.

I believe long term relationships are the best kinds of relationships that a blogger can have with a brand or PR company. Interest comes from both sides and the relationship is cultivated over time to be meaningful. Both sides are honest, respectful, and realize the value in working together.

I’ve been fortunate to have long relationships with companies like Scholastic and T-Mobile where there is a willingness to share ideas. PR firms such as Voce and 360 PR (like the lovely Brett from the 360PR team, pictured right) constantly demonstrate their respect bloggers through the way they conduct business regardless of the brand they are promoting. Clever Girls Collective gets it as a company run by well respected women in the blog and social media world who have a ton of experience with brands. The previously mentioned are fair, honest, operate with integrity, and a dream to work with because they have taken the time to get to know me.

The epitome of the brand-blogger relationship is a marriage of ideas that realizes a blogger’s goals- regardless of what they may be. Every blogger’s goal is different. If you are a brand, get to know them and you will understand what they strive for. Or ask. Engage them in conversation. Trust me, we always have lots to say.

That’s what LeapFrog did. They asked. After being a fan of the brand and writing regular posts without being paid a dime, they asked me how we could continue to work together. They put me on the spot but I told them my pie in the sky dream. Now I’m a paid contributor and get to write about the things I know and love- technology as it relates to education. All because they asked.

By no means do I recommend that bloggers around for a company or PR firm to ask you about your goals. If you have a relationship with the company, come up with a great idea and pitch them! As my mother always says, “The worst they can say is no.” While the time might not be right or it might not be a fit for their long term vision, they are likely to remember and come to you when other opportunities arise.

Going out on a limb can only work to your advantage. In the two months that I’ve been working with BitMoms, I’ve seen some real potential to take my work with the online community and extend into more meaningful work based on parental need. I can’t fully disclose plans but I was comfortable going out on a limb and sharing my ideas with them. That's part of the BitDefender crew above right!

So why am I talking about relationships and telling you all of this?

Besides the relationships with brands, my friendships with fellow DC Metro Mom bloggers, and others who are part of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, are priceless. I love being part of a blogging community and having relationships with women I admire, respect, and can have truthful conversations with. Because we are a garrulous and honest bunch who interact more virtually than in real life, we have a fantastic time when we see each other. The event could be in a back alley or at the swanky Ritz and we would have just as much fun as long as someone remembered the wine and a slab of cheese.

I appreciate the hugs and a glass of wine that come with face time because it is always a nice reminder that we truly do look out for each other. The wheels in my head start to turn as I think about the brands I work with, who might be a good fit for an opportunity, the ways I can support others in the blogging community, and- for those of us who consult or freelance- ensure that we work towards establishing a fair rate of pay for our work. It’s all about having each other’s backs.

So yes…In the blogging world, relationships are important. Many companies struggle with how to engage in respectful relationships with bloggers but there are clearly brands- both big and small- that get it. Many brands demonstrated their willingness to develop relationships and a desire to learn more about what bloggers want through the SV Moms Group Brand & Blogger Symposium. While some admitted to being there to learn, their presence demonstrated a willingness to listen. I only wish that every brand would pull up a seat to the table like those who were there on Sunday did.

Huge thanks to the following companies for their support of last weekend’s DC Metro Moms events and offering the chance to try their products, some of which you will learn more about in future posts.

• BitDefender and BitMoms for serving as the title sponsor of the event, hosting a fabulous brunch focus group, and sending me home with the sweetest handmade lemon smelling spa products and antivirus software
• Reconnecting with K12.com after a wonderful dinner in the fall. It was nice to see Dave again hear about the latest happenings over at K12 and I appreciated the box of art supplies that we are going to delve into as soon as school ends.
• The Ritz Carleton Pentagon City as the posh host for all the day’s events plus info on princess tea parties over cookies
• Bosch for the opportunity to jump start my afternoon with a delicious iced chai made during a Tassimo demonstration
• Stonyfield whose organic Greek Oikos yogurt is always a favorite in our house
• TLC for the opportunity to meet the rock star sister founders of Georgetown Cupcake and will be starring in a new series called Cupcake Dream
• Litl whose new little web book is functional and well designed for the littlest computer user
• Cinnabon for expanding their product line beyond cinnamon buns and allowing me to try their cupcake goodness
• iGo Green for my iGo Charge Anywhere which will help me reduce bag clutter come summer travel season
• 23andMe because I really am looking forward to mailing in my saliva to see my genetic profile! Crazy but true!
• Love/Avon Army of Women for their dedication in the very important fight against breast cancer
• Lice Happens who are on the front lines eliminating lice from heads on a daily basis. As a teacher, I thank you!
• Cultural Care Au Pair who were so nice to share that getting an au pair is competitively priced and can often be less than a full time nanny. Really!
• Lawry’s for yummy marinades, new flavor profiles, and the ever-classic Seasoning Salt
• Organically Grown for the super soft organic cotton bag that is now permanently affixed to my side
• Mary Gardella of LoveLifeImages.com for her wonderful photographs from the day that you can view here
• Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for tickets to a summer Theater in the Woods performance. Our pick is Rocknoceros!
  
• And also Yoplait Kids, EasyPrintDesign.com, Safety 1st, and Eden Fantasys

Thanks T-Mobile for providing me with a Dell Mini Netbook 10 with T-Mobile webConnect service so I could tweet and blog about the day’s events while they were happening! That's a photo that Mary snapped of me using my Dell Mini during the Brands & Blogger Event wearing my Yummie Tummie Maxie Dress that was intended for my Cannes trip. Thanks Yummie Tummie for my new all time favorite dress!

Product samples were provided by the above companies during the event. I consult for BitMoms, powered by BitDefender, who was the title sponsor of the DC Metro Moms Silicon Valley Moms Group events. All opinions stated in this post are my own and are not influenced by my work with BitMoms and BitDefender.

LeapFrog’s Leapster Explorer Promotes Learning on the Go

Summer is almost here and if you are looking for a way for your kids to practice their skills in a fun way while keeping them entertained while traveling, LeapFrog’s newest device- Leapster Explorer ($69.99)- provides handheld learning experiences in a portable device designed for ages 4-9.

The latest learning gadget from LeapFrog serves as a mobile hub for downloadable Leaplet Learning Apps which include eBooks, video, games, and flash cards that auto adjust during game play according to a child’s needs and skills. Just as with other LeapFrog devices like Tag, Leapster 2, and Didj, parents can track their child’s play and progress on the Explorer through the LeapFrog Learning Path.

The Explorer features a myriad of content through downloadable Leaplet Learning Apps and cartridges ($24.99). Apps such as eBooks, video, games, and flash cards feature favorite characters that can help motivate a child to learn. Kids can practice story comprehension, phonics, and letters through Disney Princess: Pop-Up Story Adventure or with Buzz and Woody in Disney-Pixar Toy Story 3. Content for ages 5-8 features Disney Fairies and Wolverine and X-Men while 1-3rd graders can enjoy learning math through NFL Rush Zone (pictured above right), geometry and fractions with SpongeBob or Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

With thoughtful content designed for a range of learners with a variety of interests, Explorer moves beyond LeapFrog’s initial goals of engaging kids in math and reading by providing topics like science, social studies, handwriting, and health for their newest device.

Putting it in the critics’ hands

Our Explorer came preloaded with Leaplet app games ($7.99 for a pack of 2 Leaplet Learning App download cards), video, previews of cartridge games. Little Miss Techie (age 6) has been enjoying Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg (pictured left)- a game that helped her practice her handwriting skills and exercise her creativity thanks to a wide selection of tools, colors, filters, stamps, and effects. She also liked being able to create her own flip book! Almost 4 year old Captain Computer, a train aficionado, enjoys playing Jewel Train that helps him practice his logic skills by adjusting pieces of the railroad. He also likes Harmonies, a Leaplet Game App, that allows him to control 4 singers by adding sounds to learn about harmonies and musical parts.

We found that Explorer was perfectly suited for smaller hands thanks to comfortable ergonomic design. It features a big, bright full color screen that can be operated with the touch of a finger or integrated stylus.

Content

I’m looking forward to the launch of Explorer so I can tailor the content to our children’s interests. Little Miss Techie has a huge interest in social studies thanks to traveling grandparents who visit countries around the globe. I think she will really enjoy Globe: Earth Adventures where she can explore the continents in a biplane to find exotic locales and test her knowledge of geography, landmarks, map skills, animals, cultures, and facts. Despite my personal aversion to characters, I know that Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Worldwide Rescue will also be up her alley as it will help her build her Spanish vocabulary while learning more about Egypt, China, Australia, and Peru.

My only criticism of the product is the heavy use of characters to draw in kids. While characters can be a huge motivating factor for some children, I try to avoid characters as much as possible so it is nice that there will be an array of non-character based products for Explorer content when the device launches on July 15.

Summary

LeapFrog has taken learning to the next step with the upcoming release of Explorer. The handheld device will motivate any child to learn because it looks cool and has a wide range of appropriate content featuring fun characters and engaging games that satisfy early elementary ages through the tween years. Rest assured that your investment in this product will give you a good return as it grows with your child thanks to games that automatically adjust to your child’s skill level.

Leapster Explorer is available for preorder and will be for sale in retail outlets on July 15. This fall a snap-on camera accessory ($24.99) will be available.


GIVEAWAY: Win a Leapster Explorer ($69.99)PLUS the Toy Story 3 cartridge game ($24.99) that will be delivered to your front door on the July 15 release date!

To enter, visit the Explorer site and leave a comment telling me what you think your child will like most about the LeapFrog Explorer and what makes it attractive to you, as a parent. Comments MUST contain either an email address or Twitter handle. Comments not containing either WILL NOT be approved as entries.

Do any of the following for extra entries:

• Leave a comment on any one of my posts in The LeapFrog Community and come back and leave the title of the post in your comment below. You may comment on as many posts as you like. Each comment is worth an extra entry as long as you leave a comment! Your comment below MUST contain either an email address or Twitter handle.

• Tweet this daily: @TechSavvyMama previewed @LeapFrog Explorer- not yet in stores! Read her review & enter to win one here: http://bit.ly/dviREY Your comment below MUST contain your Twitter handle!

Comments may be submitted until midnight on June 25 and the winner must reply with full name and U.S. mailing address (no PO boxes) within 24 hours or another winner will be selected.

Fine print: LeapFrog provided an Explorer for product review purposes. I am a contributor to The LeapFrog Community but all opinions are my own. No compensation was received for this post.

COX Communications' 5th National Teen Summit on Internet Safety

If you have teens or tweens in your life, Blogalicious' bLink wants to make sure that you are aware of this upcoming event on Tuesday, June 15 in Washington, DC and is extending the invitation to all local parents. Details and RSVP information below!

Cox Communications will hold its 5th National Teen Summit On Internet Safety on June 15th in Washington, D.C., gathering teens from across the country to discuss the topics of cyberbullying, sexting, digital reputation management and other online safety issues, and you are invited to share your thoughts, opinions, concerns and to ask questions. The event will also be livestreamed on the Cox Teen Summit UStream Channel, led by our blogging friend Jyl Patee of Mom It Forward.

America’s Most Wanted host and children’s advocate John Walsh will lead the discussion with the teens at the event which is sponsored by Cox in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Following the event, you will also have the chance to meet and take photos with John Walsh.

Walsh will be joined on the panel by well-known social media expert, James Andrews, co-founder of social media communications firm, Everywhere. Andrews is an internationally-respected digital thought leader, frequent contributor on CNN and the parent of a teenaged son.

If you are a DC area blogger who would like to attend this free exclusive event, please RSVP here. Lunch will be provided and Starbucks gift cards will be available for the first 10 people who RSVP. Please note that FTC regulations regarding disclosure must be followed if you decide to post about the event.

If you can't attend but want to follow along via Twitter as the event is occurring or read about it later, the hashtag for this event is: #cox4teensafety

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About the National Teen Summit

The National Teen Summit of Internet and Wireless Safety is an extension of Cox Communications' ongoing Take Charge! initiative, which helps parents, guardians and kids make smarter media decisions. Click Here for surveys on teen Internet safety from the last four years, online safety tools and tips, and links to NCMEC and other resources.


About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children’s hotline which has handled more than 2,377,000 calls. It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 138,500 children. The organization’s CyberTipline has handled more than 699,500 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 23,796,800 child pornography images and videos. The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. To learn more about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its web site at www.missingkids.com.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves more than 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for five years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity, and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com

I am sharing this post on behalf of Blogalicious and my role as social media manager (a paid consulting role) because internet safety is a topic I am passionate about.

Sarah McLachlan's New Album Laws of Illusion Rocks! (w. giveaway)

I’ve been a fan of Sarah McLachlan ever since I heard her haunting voice coming from my housemate’s room as a grad student in Boston. I’ve watched her swing and sing during a performance at the historic all-female Lilith Fair with my best girl friends, sung to Sweet Surrender and Building a Mystery at the top of my lungs in my car more times than I can count, and played Ice Cream at our wedding.

Sarah McLachlan’s music has been part of my life for a long time and I’ve anxiously awaited her newest release, Laws of Illusion, available June 15. Though it has been 7 years since her last album, Laws of Illusion brings back the Sarah I remember- a brilliant lyricist who makes gorgeous music that I never tire of listening to thanks the perfect combination of melodic ballads a la Jewel and rockin' tunes akin to Sheryl Crow and the Indigo Girls.

Thanks to One2One Network, I was able to get a sneak peek of 4 tracks from Laws of Illusion. The 4 songs I previewed- Foregiveness, Heartbreak, Illusions of Bliss, and Loving You is Easy- will draw in new fans and please the existing ones who have been waiting for new music and who look forward to seeing her at Lilith Fair.

Curious about the new album? Become a fan of Sarah McLachlan on Facebook and preview Loving You is Easy, the first single from her new album, currently available for download from Amazon and iTunes. Fans preordering the album from Sarah’s website will get exclusive first-access to Lilith Fair tickets!

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win Laws of Illusion by sharing your favorite Sarah McLaughlin song or the Lilith Fair venue closest to you and leaving a comment below. Get a second entry for following Sarah on Twitter and coming back to leave a comment telling me you've done so. Don’t forget your email or Twitter handle in your entry! Winner will be selected using Random.org and will be notified in approximately one week.

I received a preview of songs from Laws of Illusion through a campaign by One2One Network and will receive the full album when it become available. No compensation was received for this post however, I am eligible to win a gift card for my participation in this campaign.

Blogger Turned Baker!

While I may have spent a good portion of the week surgically attached to the computer monitoring my email with messages from WhyMommy & team about the aforementioned NASA grant, this week also brought a different challenge...Execute the wedding cake that I volunteered to make for Little Miss Techie's fabulous kindergarten teacher's wedding shower.

Success!

The next challenge was to transport it to school without frosting mishaps/toppling in the car/tripping down school steps, getting Little Miss Techie to ceremoniously place the bride and groom atop said cake while keeping it away from 16 sets of little fingers upon arrival. Success! (Note the yellow cinderblock walls that scream school!)

Not pictured: Remnants of above cake after devoured by cake-hungry kindergarteners.

Google Chrome Windows Users Can Quickscan to Detect Viruses

In honor of June being Internet Safety Month, how do you protect your computer from viruses and malware?

If you are a Google Chrome user, you can now download BitDefender’s Quickscan for free. If you aren’t familiar with Chrome, this free browser is becoming increasingly popular as a browser of choice for Mac, PC, and Linux users because it boasts quick loading pages, a streamlined look, features designed to maximize efficiency, built-in malware detection, phishing protection, auto-updates, and the ability to customize your windows and tabs.

The newly available Quickscan for Chrome is designed to scan your computer's memory and opened files for viruses for malware. It also checks the security of websites directly from your browser. Any suspicious files are automatically sent to the BitDefender Quickscan server for analysis.

It typically takes Quickscan less than a minute to perform a virus scan because the Quickscan client (the part that is lives on computer) doesn’t actually have to do any detection, making virus detection unbelievably fast.

Google Chrome users can download BitDefender QuickScan for Windows here.

I am a Chief BitMom on BitMoms.com, a internet safety and security site powered by BitDefender. I was not compensated to share this information on my personal site.

NASA Kids' Club Reinforces Science, Math, Technology in Fun Kid-Friendly Way

I’ve had space and NASA on the brain for the past few days thanks to a grant writing marathon with an amazing team led by @WhyMommy and including @Stimey, @TeachMama, @CaffandaPrayer, and others not on Twitter.

Thanks to thinking about all things space, I discovered NASA Kids’ Club, a fun website with space themed games for you astronaut- planetary-scientist -mission-control -specialist-to be. This easy-to-navigate and ad-free site is a must visit for any child interested in space and positively reinforces science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM) concepts in a fun and kid friendly way for preschool through elementary ages.

Use the colorful numbers ranging from 1-5 in mission control (see above image) to choose a skill level and your game choices will appear in the 3 large windows above. With tons of games for 5 different skill levels, a child can easily find something just right for them. Games range from a level 1 pattern game called What Comes Next? to the more complex Addition Blast Off (level 3) and get more challenging in level 5. Level 5 games such as Jumbled Jets require lining up a fleet of airplanes on a runway that tests to test logic whereas Go to the Head of the Solar System requires assisting the comet in its journey to the sun by correctly matching facts with planets.

Besides the leveled games, there are 4 additional games on the home screen. Toy Story fans might gravitate towards Buzz Lightyear Returns from Space but I really like the STS-132 Memory Game, a memory-like game where the goal is to match eight pairs of cards featuring images of the STS-132 mission.

Thanks to games on this NASA-approved site, who knows...Your child really could be a rocket scientist!

Images courtesy of NASA Kids’ Club.