As tween-targeted social networks and kid virtual worlds continue growing at a rapid pace, the need to foster online safety in these spaces has become increasingly important. Beyond moderation from the site administrators, this means helping tweens and their parents understand what it takes to be a good digital citizen (an issue discussed at length by Anne Collier of ConnectSafely.org and fellow tween/teen community experts at last year’s Ypulse Mashup).

Today we’re looking at online safety resources specifically geared towards tweens and their parents. Take a look at what we found and let us know in comments if we missed any you think should be featured.

Connect Safely- This is a non-profit project of TechParenting Group and is designed for parents, teens, educators, advocates, and everyone and anyone engaged in and interested in the impact of the internet and social media on tweens and teens. The site offers a forum to give teens and parents a voice in the public discussion about youth online safety. Also offered are resources for social-media safety tips and advice, the latest youth-tech news, ad more. The safety resource information is offered in English and Spanish and offers links to other sources as well as PDFs, and PowerPoint presentations.

NSTeens.org – Offered in both English and Spanish this site was developed through a partnership between Sprint and NetSmartz Workshop, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. NSTeens goal is to offer resources to empower tweens to make safer online choices. The main resources of the site include animated videos highlighting the Internet-related adventures of a diverse cast of teenagers. These videos are also available to educators to reinforce the videos’ safety lessons through the use of accompanying activity cards.

SafetyWeb.com- This web-based monitoring site is mainly for parents to make it easier for them to protect the reputation, privacy, and safety of their kids while online. Parents sign up with the company to literally find out every action of their child online. The idea behind the concept is definitely to protect kids, but there is a fine line regarding privacy issues here as parents are sent updates about what their kids are saying and doing online, including status updates, photos, videos, etc. The idea ultimately is to protect the tweens as they could potentially put their privacy, safety and online reputation at risk, but it raises the question of whether parental trust hangs in the balance.

Specific for teens, SafetyWeb has recently introduced the “Find Help” application on Facebook. The application allows users to report any violation or cyberbullying to Facebook.

WiredSafety.org-A nonprofit charity, this organization is considered the largest and oldest online safety, education, and help group in the world. Established in 1995, the group covers it all when it comes to tweens and safety online, including monitoring and rating websites, providing one-to-one help, extensive information and education on all issues related to cyberbullying and interactive technology safety issues.

TeenAngels – A division of WiredSafety.org, Teenangels is an online safety ambassador program headed by teenage girls, ranging in age from thirteen to eighteen, that are specially trained in dealing with online safety issues that ultimately affect them and their younger peers. The girls work closely with WiredSafety.org’s founder Parry Aftab in spreading the word about tween online safety. Such projects they have worked on include working with the New Jersey State Police Cybercrime Task Force in dealing with an online virus and working with the creator of Net Nanny by Mac. The site also includes links to columns they write and information on their public appearances. Teenangels work with companies like Disney, Microsoft and AOL.

Girl Ambition- An online safety community and a social networking site just for tweens was started by three working moms, and is managed by girls. The site is geared specific for tween girls to not only have fun but to also promote strong self-esteem and online safety. Features of the site include games, virtual pets, online arts and crafts, quizzes, email and chat with friends. There is also information for parents including expert resources, advice on online safety, and even information for parents on how to stay ‘hip to the trends’ that tween girls think are all the rage.

TweenParent.com- an online resource strictly for parents dealing with the preteen years of their child’s life. The site offers comprised information from all over various site—all designed to better understanding a tween and keeping them safe. Content on the site includes links to other publications and original material from TweenParent.com contributors. Tween subtopics include health, lifestyle, travel, technology, education, citizenship, and family life. Resources also include an e-newsletter with all the up to date information a parent of a tween needs. Also fun for the site is a Tween Lingo translator. Simply type in an acronym or phrase heard from a tween’s mouth and the translator will instantly let you know what your tween just said in English.

Common Sense Media – The free curriculum available on Common Sense Media is designed for educators, administrators, and parents. It promises to provide the tools they need to enable students to think critically and make informed choices about how they create, communicate, and treat others in our ever-evolving, 24/7 digital world. Central topics discussed include: Safety, Digital Citizenship, Social Networking and Virtual Worlds and Mobile/Communicating.

Categorized under: Education, Tweens, Uncategorized

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