Stay Safe on Social Media

3 Easy Tips to Make Sure Your Kids Are Social Media Safe

Whether it be Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, social media can be a really fun way to interact with friends. It provides a platform for sharing experiences, keeping up with trends, and maintaining connections with loved ones. As much fun as they can be, we need to always remember there are real threats to using these tools. Social Media can be dangerous too, especially for children who might not fully understand the risks. Cyberbullying, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content are just a few concerns that parents need to be aware of.

So, how do we protect ourselves, and make sure our kids are protected too? Here are a few practical tips to help teach your kids about social media safety while fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness.

1-Don’t let young kids roam free

First things first, if your child is under the age of 13 make sure all of their accounts and passwords are connected to your device or computer. This is a critical step in ensuring their safety. By having total access to their accounts, you’re in a better position to oversee their activities and manage potential risks.

However, this doesn’t mean you should micromanage or invade their privacy by reading every message they send or receive. Instead, focus on being a guide and a protector. You should have total access to them. I’m not saying you should log on and read their messages, but you should be able to block or unfollow anyone that you feel could be a danger to them. It’s important to trust your kids, it’s even more important to make sure they are safe.

Remember, there are some nasty things on social media, and you never know what is happening if you don’t have full access to your children’s accounts. Social media is full of content that can be inappropriate, harmful, or even predatory, and it’s difficult to know what is happening if you don’t have full access to your child’s accounts. So be smart, don’t allow your kids under 13 to have total reign over their accounts.

2-Stay private

Privacy is one of the best tools for ensuring safety on social media. Always encourage your kids to set their accounts to private, which allows only approved friends to view their posts. This simple step can significantly reduce the risks of strangers gaining access to their personal information or photos.

REMEMBER: IF YOU ALLOW PEOPLE Social Media SafeTO FOLLOW YOU THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW, YOU ARE NO LONGER PRIVATE. Make sure you monitor the people your child allows to follow them. If you don’t know who they are, ask. Being social media safe means constant checkups to stay social media safe. If you have any questions on how to make your social media accounts private, this should help. Building an ongoing conversation about social media safety is key to staying protected.

Social media safety also requires consistent checkups. Regularly review privacy settings and ensure they are up to date. Some platforms frequently update their privacy policies, which can unintentionally expose personal information if not managed properly. Take time to explore the privacy settings together with your child and explain why each setting is important.

If you’re unsure how to make accounts private, don’t hesitate to look for guides or resources online to help you navigate these settings effectively.

3-Parody accounts are a wild card

Accounts that are created for memes and other funny internet things are usually accounts trying to build a large following to earn money through ads. Make sure you know what parody accounts your children are following. Once these accounts have a large enough following, they will often post inappropriate content for an easy buck. Don’t fall into the trap of a couple of stupid jokes just to put your child at risk of seeing something that they shouldn’t. Remember being social media safe means preventing the problem before you have to deal with the problem. Don’t let social media teach your children about the birds and the bees.

We’d love to hear about other ways to protect our kids on social media. Leave us a comment and let us know how you do it! Being social media smart is a joint effort.

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Internet Safety; Is Your Child Safe on the Internet?

6 Tips to Help Parents Understand Proper Kids Internet Safety

The Internet can be a dangerous place. Without the proper precautions, your child’s safety could be at risk. From inappropriate content to cyber predators, the risks are real and ever-evolving. With one click even kids can access things that would give most adults a stomach ache. So how can you make sure that what they are viewing is safe?

The best way to combat the dangers of the internet is to know what they are! Educating yourself about potential threats and staying proactive can make a huge difference. Your Kids Internet Safety should be the number one goal. By setting clear boundaries and staying involved, you can create a safe online environment for your child.

Here is a list of the best ways to make sure that your children are safe while using the internet.

1. Computer location is key

Make sure the computer is located in an area of non-privacy, like the front room or kitchen. Having the device in a shared space not only promotes responsible usage but also provides an opportunity for parents to observe their child’s browsing habits in real-time. This prevents kids from wandering the internet (like clicking random links) without parental supervision.

Kids Internet Safety depends much on how daring they are willing to be and they are much less likely to take chances if someone else can see what they are doing. Consider setting up family usage hours to encourage transparency and limit excessive screen time.

2. Be a part of their cyber world

Know what types of social media and forms of entertainment your children use. Stay informed about trending platforms and apps to better understand their online behaviour. Follow their social media accounts and check their posts and comments somewhat regularly.

Make sure you know who is commenting and liking their photos and posts. If you don’t know who someone is, ASK! Encourage open discussions about their online friends and guide them on recognizing potential red flags, such as strangers asking for personal information.

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3. Account privacy is most important for Kids Internet Safety

Teach your kid not to share passwords, even with their best friends. You never know who else will find out. Reinforce the importance of using strong, unique passwords for each platform and updating them regularly.

Keeping information private is the best way to stay safe on the internet. Teach your kids to log out of computers, even if they are personal or home computers. Also, make sure to check your search engine settings. Most search engines allow parental controls that will help narrow the list of possible choices that appear when your children are surfing the internet.

In addition, consider enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts to add an extra layer of security.

4. Keep up with software

Use antiviruses and pop-up blockers. There are plenty of free or pay-for-use pop-up blockers and antiviruses available on the Kids Internet Safety. Regular software updates are essential to patch security vulnerabilities that could put your child’s data at risk.

Antiviruses keep your computer safe from bugs and malware. This is just like putting up a fence to keep your toddler in the yard. It’s a precaution if everything else goes wrong. Additionally, parental control software can help track online activities and block harmful content proactively.

To find the best antivirus for Windows, click here. Of the top ten, nine are pay-for-use, however, if your budget is tight there is a free one too.

Here is a link to the same site but for Mac computers. All on this list are paid, but fear not, here is another link for free Mac antiviruses. Be sure to choose software that suits your family’s needs and preferences.

5. Don’t just ban, understand

One in four children see porn by the age of 12. Try to understand why this is and make sure you stay in constant communication with your children about what they are viewing on the internet. If something goes wrong on the internet, don’t react by blaming your child. Instead, make yourself available for conversation if anything that they stumble on makes them uncomfortable.

6. What is put on the internet stays on the internet

Make sure that your kids know that whatever they put on the internet, even if deleted later, is still on the internet. This makes anyone think twice about whatever they think they want to post on the internet.

Let us know what you think about this list and if you have another way of keeping your children safe. Together, we can make the Internet a child-friendly zone!

#kidsafeinternet

Test Scores VS Skills Set. What’s Better for Homeschoolers?

The Changing Education Landscape: Moving Beyond Test Scores vs Skills

I was at lunch with our Founder and President, Seth Iorg, a few months ago, and we were speaking to a gentlemanTest Scores vs Skills who works for a highly reputable online charter school. (I won’t mention the name). But he started to tell us that this notion that “it’s all about Test Scores vs Skills (i.e., ACTs, high school exams, SATs, etc.)” is no longer the driving force of academic success. School exams aren’t even the focus anymore. The new phrase they use now is “College and Career Ready.

Helping kids of today’s day and age become ready for college and know exactly what they want or need to study OR preparing them for future careers is what matters now. This shift in focus from standardized tests to real-world skills and career readiness reflects the evolving job market and the increasing demand for practical, hands-on expertise.

It’s no longer just about getting into college; it’s about providing children with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce. The old model focused primarily on academic performance as a measure of success, but we now recognise that students need a more comprehensive preparation that includes career exploration and practical skills.

Our Vision: A Real Coding Pathway for Youth Test Scores vs Skills

This had quite an impact on both of us. We then decided to coin the phrase underneath our logo, and it has now become our company motto! We want to provide a REAL coding (computer programming) PATHWAY for youth, so by the time they turn 16-18 years of age, the child knows where to invest his/her time. Is it to pursue college? Is it to go directly into a career that may not require college? Whatever it may be, the parents will feel confident that their good money is not wasted.

Simply Coding, Inc. has been designed around this concept. We believe that the traditional education system often fails to offer students the practical skills they need to succeed in today’s tech-driven economy. That’s why we focus on teaching coding in a way that is hands-on, engaging, and directly relevant to the real world.

We put kids in a real coding environment (HTML, CSS, javascript, java, python, etc.) and allow them to create THEIR portfolios on GitHub of their projects and games to show to future employers, internships, and so much more! This approach not only equips them with the skills they need but also builds a tangible portfolio that demonstrates their capabilities in a competitive job market.

Why Coding is Essential for Career Readiness

In today’s world, coding has become a vital skill for many industries. From web development to game design, software engineering to data science, coding is integral to the innovation that drives our economy. With technology becoming increasingly central to every industry, teaching kids to code gives them a head start in understanding the building blocks of our digital world.

At Simply Coding, we teach children how to write code in popular programming languages like JavaScript, Python, Java, and HTML/CSS. By learning these foundational languages, they gain the tools to create websites, develop apps, and build games, all while building essential problem-solving skills. In addition to these Test Scores vs Skills, coding also fosters creativity and resilience, as students learn how to troubleshoot and iterate on their work.

By creating projects and coding games, students get to see their ideas come to life. This not only boosts their confidence but also gives them a sense of ownership over their learning process.

Building a Portfolio for Future Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of learning to code at a young age is the ability to build a portfolio of projects.1649793477063 Portfolios provide concrete evidence of a student’s skills and accomplishments, making them invaluable when applying for jobs or internships in the future. At Simply Coding, we guide our students to use GitHub to upload their projects, creating a personal portfolio that can be shared with potential employers or college admissions teams.

Portfolios serve as an ongoing showcase of a student’s growth and development in coding. They become a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and problem-solving skills that students apply as they move through different coding challenges and projects.

Having a portfolio of completed projects is also helpful for students who choose to enter the workforce immediately after high school. Employers often value practical experience over formal education, and having a strong coding portfolio gives young people an edge in securing internships or full-time positions.

Empowering Parents with Confidence Test Scores vs Skills

As parents, it’s natural to want to ensure that your child’s education and extracurricular activities are worthwhile. Investing in coding education is not only a smart choice of Test Scores vs Skills; it’s an investment in your child’s future success. When you enrol your child in a coding program, you’re giving them the tools to succeed in both colleges and the career world.

Our mission at Simply Coding is to offer a pathway to real-world outcomes. We want parents to feel confident that their children are learning valuable skills that will help them achieve their dreams, whether those dreams involve higher education or a fulfilling career.

Conclusion: Preparing Youth for Success Test Scores vs Skills

The world is changing, and so is education. At Simply Coding, we are committed to ensuring that kids are “College and Career Ready” by providing them with practical, real-world coding skills. By offering a comprehensive coding education, we empower children to take control of their future, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the digital world.

Top 5 Things Learned at Great Homeschool Convention

Just got back about a week ago from our first Great Homeschool Convention. It was a great time meeting all the wonderful parents there who passed by our booth and saw the passion they have for their kids. Just got back about a week ago from our first Great Homeschool Convention. It was a great time meeting all the wonderful parents there who passed by our booth and saw the passion they have for their kids. We were inspired by the incredible dedication these parents showed in providing the best for their children’s education. What great Christian beliefs and friendly people. The event highlighted the power of community among homeschoolers, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Here are the key takeaways from our Homeschool Convention experience:

1. Parents Want Family Discounts for Online Coding Pathways

One of the most frequent requests we heard at the Homeschool Convention was for family discounts. Parents want to be able to enrol multiple children in our online coding pathways without breaking the bank. After listening to their feedback, we’re happy to announce that we’ve implemented a new family membership option. Now, you can easily add family members to your regular monthly membership. Plus, if one of the kids decides coding isn’t for them, you can downgrade later without hassle. We love making coding accessible for everyone, and this new feature is a step in that direction.

2. Homeschool Parents Are Truly Awesome

We discovered just how dedicated and caring homeschool parents are at the Homeschool Convention. Their commitment to their children’s education goes above and beyond, and it’s clear that they prioritize equipping their kids with essential life skills. From one-on-one teaching to fostering creativity, these parents are building strong foundations for the future of their children. It was incredibly humbling to witness the level of care and attention they put into their children’s learning experiences.

3. Every Child Needs Coding

Every Child Needs Coding As we thought more about the benefits of coding, it became crystal clear at the Homeschool Convention that coding is an essential skill for the future. We researched job postings on websites like Monster.com and were shocked at how many positions, even entry-level ones, required knowledge of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Whether your child is interested in tech careers or not, learning these fundamental coding skills early can open up countless opportunities in almost every field.

Level ONE coding is a must-have for anyone’s resume! The more we think about it, the more convinced we are that teaching kids coding is one of the most valuable things we can do for their futures. Coding equips kids with critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills needed in every profession.

4. Age Isn’t the Best Indicator for Coding Readiness

We also learned at the Homeschool Convention that age isn’t always the best factor in determining whether a child is ready to start coding. Instead, typing skills are a much better indicator. We found that if a child can type around 15 words per minute on Nitrotype, they’ll likely have a good experience learning coding. This typically happens around age 10, but it’s important to focus on typing ability rather than just age. Kids who can type quickly can dive into coding without frustration, making the learning process smoother.

If your child is ready to type, they’re probably ready to code. It’s not about age, but about skills and readiness. So, if your child is eager to try coding, but they’re still working on typing speed, you might want to focus on improving their typing first.

5. Twix Was the Preferred Chocolate at Our Booth

And lastly, we learned a very important lesson at the Homeschool Convention: when it comes to booth candy, Twix reigns supreme. We had a variety of candy available at our booth, but Twix was by far the favourite among visitors. Baby Ruth, unfortunately, came in last place, so we’re already considering a different candy lineup for next time. It’s these little moments that make conventions so much fun. We never expected candy preferences to be such a big talking point, but it was a crowd-pleaser!

To Your Child’s Success,

Dustin