Must-Read info for parents of teens and tweens

books:


	• Logged On and Tuned Out: A Non-Techie's Guide to Parenting a Tech-Savvy Generation Vicki Courtney B&H Books, 2007 - 208 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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I had to buy more copies

Logged On and Tuned Out: A Non-Techie's Guide to Parenting a Tech-Savvy Generation I checked this out of the public library and then realized I needed make sure it was in the hands of as many parents as possible. This past week there was a news special all week on teens and the internet and how parents are not aware of the issues and permanent effects of using my space and blogs to gain friends, and the danger of giving out your personal information. The internet has rich blessings but also deep dangers...

Must-Read info for parents of teens and tweens

Ms. Courtney shares honestly, with humor and without a didactic attitude of judgment. She uses her own experiences, both positive and negative, with her teens' usage of today's technology.

Each chapter explains what the technology is in a way that clarifies it for the most clueless parent and still provides needed cultural context for those of us who might feel pretty savvy. I really appreciated Courtney's perspective on the use of monitoring software. It's controversial, but she recommends it, and explains how and why she uses it to be able to make sure that her children (and their friends) are adhering to her guidelines and conducting themselves online in a way that is God-honoring.

This is a great resource for parents of kids aged ten and up. Certainly the parent of every teen should be well-versed in all of these areas. The social networking chapter was eye-opening to me. As savvy as I am (I mean, I have a blog, don't I?), I have had negatively judged myspace out of ignorance. She calls these sites the "virtual malt shop" of this generation. This is the way that kids connect. They don't have to hang out at the malt shop. Their community exists 24-7 on the world wide web. It gives all new meaning to the old warning, "It's 10:00pm. Do you know where your children are?" They could be at the desk in the study, on the internet, engaging in good clean fun, or perhaps participating in some behavior that they might later regret. If we as parents are tuned in instead of tuned out, we can help them stay in the world, and yet not be of the world.

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When CNN and FOX News asked Vicki Courtney to discuss child safety and
the Internet on-air last summer, the best-selling author who is popular among
both teenagers and parents knew this urgent issue had to become the core
topic of her next book.

For sure, gone are the days when kids were safe just as long as they were at
home and under your nose. Today?s children can access the world from a
growing number of portable gadgets, and depending on what they do with
this ability, could potentially invite a world of danger into their lives.

Logged On and Tuned Out is a timely wake-up call to low-tech (tuned out)
parents whose high-tech (logged on) kids use modern computer and cell
phone technology like second nature. In simple language, moms and dads
overwhelmed by today?s digital world will learn the imperative basics and
checkpoints of Instant Messaging, text messaging, social networking Web sites
(MySpace, Facebook), chat rooms, and photo and video uploading. The book
even has its own related Web site where parents can download online safety
contracts, get updated information about safety filters, and more.

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