A GUIDE FOR PARENTS ON TECHNOLOGY & KIDS

Brought to you by LeapFrog

Web-Smart

2+2=4

AaBbCc• Overview

• Key findings about online habits.

• Make the most of technology to educate your child.

• Keep your child safe with technology and a balanced e-diet.

Internet-enabled devices, such as tablets, games consoles and laptops provide children with fantastic opportunities for entertainment and education.

Your children may spend a lot of time on the internet or social networking sites, which have changed the way they learn, interact and communicate with friends and family. Too often though, kids include too much personal information and other details which put them at risk.

We at LeapFrog understand that parents searching for a child-friendly tablet are confronted with numerous choices, many of which claim they are ‘designed for kids’ or have access to a library of ‘educator-endorsed’ content. However, on closer inspection these tablets may be fun but lack the essential deliverables parents are looking for in a safe, educational experience for their child.

Contents Overview

We’ve included expert comment, tips and advice from Stuart Miles, editor of Pocket-Lint, and Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos, head of the LeapFrog Learning Team to provide you with a resource to learn more about internet safety for children and help ensure the risks of illegal activity or abuse are a thing of the past.

You can also find out more about our LeapPad tablets, which offer a safe technology experience filled with learning and packed with fun in every way, online at LeapFrog.co.uk/tablet-family. Our LeapPad tablets are the only tablets to feature a kid-safe web content experience, which allows children to easily and safely browse extensive content from the web - and ultimately offer you as parents complete peace of mind!

It is important to be aware of what these devices can do and be aware of how to help your child use technology in a safe and positive way, which is why we have created this useful guide.

56% 33%

23% 75%

31% 100%KID-SAFEWI-FI

We conducted a survey of 1,000 parents and 500 kids aged five to nine about

their online habits. It revealed that 57% cent of parents would welcome

guidance on how to help their children get the best out of the web, and a

further 87% of you think it is too easy for children to access inappropriate

content on the web. You weren’t wrong either – our survey results showed kids

are not afraid to abuse their parents’ trust in using the internet, with over a

third (33%) admitting they have removed their browsing history at some point

to ensure you can’t see what they’ve been looking at online, and 31% confessed

to accessing a website they know their parents would not approve of.

of children aged five to nine admit to sharing key personal information on a public social network profile.

of kids have removed their browsing history at some point to ensure their parents do not see what they’ve been looking at online.

of kids confess they have accessed a website they know their parents would not approve of.

of parents admit they have no parental controls on internet-enabled devices their children use.

of parents do not monitor their child when they are online.

of parents have had to fork out over £100 after receiving an unexpected bill as a result of their child downloading an app without permission.

33%

100%KID-SAFEWEB

DROPTESTED TRACKLEARNINGPROGRESS

100%KID-SAFEWEB

DROPTESTED TRACKLEARNINGPROGRESS

Web-SmartHere are

some

interesting

key findings

• Is developed by educational experts and tested with children. Serving up rich learning experiences is a labour of love, done in collaboration with learning experts and children in the targeted age range. Great learning games take time to develop and have gone through many, many rounds of testing with children.

Technology continues to offer new ways to bring

learning and laughter to younger and younger

children. It’s our job as parents and caregivers to

ensure that children’s experiences with technology

are not just safe, but actually making a meaningful

difference in their lives. By setting boundaries

around the what, how, where, and when of

technology, and then choosing the best

educational and entertaining content for your

child, you are harnessing the power of technology

as a fun learning tool that you can share and play

with together.

By Dr. Jody LeVos (Manager of the LeapFrog Learning Team)

Technology can be tremendously helpful in young children’s education and development, particularly when you’ve selected the right content (games, apps, videos, eBooks, etc.). Keep in mind, of course, that technology should be just one component of your child’s “diet” of activities, and that a balanced diet includes unstructured play, social interactions with other children, physical activities, and more.

What games, apps, websites, etc. are appropriate for your child? Communicate approved content and establish rules for who has final say in assessing the appropriateness of new content.

How should children engage with technology? Although many games are designed to be used by children independently, consider allocating at least some of your child’s media time as co-play or co-viewing experiences. Sit with your child, ask him questions about what he’s doing or seeing, and prompt him to relate the lessons to his real life.

Where in the home is engagement with technology ok? For some families, technology use only occurs in shared spaces, such as a kitchen or family room, where children are less likely to access inappropriate content.

When is it ok to use technology and how much is appropriate? Consider setting limits to technology, such as 2 hours per day, as well as times that are off-limits, such as the one or two-hour window before bedtime. There is some evidence to suggest that light from the screen, nature of the content, or both, may impact the quality of sleep.

MAKING THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY TO AID

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Jody LeVos

For help establishing WHAT technology, it’s important to keep in mind that not all games are created equally, even those that claim to be “educational.” Look for content that:

As a parent, you should consider:• Is developmentally appropriate

for your child in terms of both curriculum and play patterns. Some games ask the right types of questions, but the game mechanics are too simple to keep your child engaged. Other games might have sophisticated game mechanics but the curriculum is below or above your child’s level.

What

How

Where

When

• Offers a personalised learning

experience for your child, such

as games that automatically

level up or down according to

your child’s unique learning

needs.

• Teaches

new concepts,

rather than

games that

simply quiz

your

child.

Include your kids in the conversation

Set passwords for any device that can access the

internet

Social networking and what to share

Contact your

broadband provider

Any device you own should have a password and only you should know it.

KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE WITH TECHNOLOGY

By Stuart Miles (Tech Expert and Editor of Pocket-Lint, the largest independent gadget news and reviews site in the UK).

There are lots of ways you can minimise the dangers - both online and offline - your children can face when using technology in your home or out and about. Most of the advice you can do today with minimal fuss. Whether that’s setting up parental controls on your device or buying them a dedicated tablet or laptop rather than giving them access to your own. Here are 12 tips to help you get the most of our technology with your kids:

For more details on LeapFrog’s award-

winning LeapPad learning tablet range

featuring kid safe web visit:

leapfrog.co.uk/leappad

You talk to your children about not talking to strangers, so talk to them about doing the same online, and using the internet or technology safely. Making them a part of the conversation will also help them understand what you are trying to do rather than just telling them they can’t have your phone today.

Protecting your children isn’t just about you not letting them go on

the tablet all the time, it is about how you act as well. Be aware of the

information you are sharing online and who you are sharing it with.

A good routine to get into is to do quarterly checks on what your

settings are on social networks, what apps have access, and

who you are friends with. You’ll be amazed the first time you do

it just how far your information is being shared. Does your old

uni friend you’ve not spoken to in 10 years really need to see

pictures of your kids?

If you are worried about them looking at content they

shouldn’t on the internet at home, look at whether your

broadband provider offers protection; many offer a

protection feature that you can turn on, that automatically

blacklists a number of sites without you having to worry.

You can then also whitelist certain sites you deem okay.

Set allocated times for using technology and

keep it communal Remember, technology is just a tool for creativity, not the creativity itself. Setting allocated times to use gadgets will help them to understand there are other things in life as well. Also, make sure all technology time is communal for both you and them. If you use your computer/phone/tablet secretively it will only encourage them to do so as well.

Video games aren’t just for kids, nor are movies, nor are all apps.

Make sure you are aware of the age rating of the content your kids are

playing and that it is appropriate for them. If you are worried, you can

block certain age-rated content showing up in the relevant app store,

and in most cases block it from showing on the device altogether,

even though you’ve bought it previously.

You pass your kid your brand new tablet only for them to drop it

and smash the screen! Tablets aren’t cheap, nor are they easy to

fix. If you do use a state of the art device and then keen to give it

to a youngster, make sure you get a decent case to protect it from

bumps and knocks.

If you can’t stretch to a

separate machine look at

guest login features. Most

of the major operating

systems have them (aside

from iOS), and it silos

your data and lets them

use apps you’ve set aside

just for them.

There are a number of dedicated kids’ tablets

on the market. Some are cheap Android tablets with a child-friendly interface, while others are designed with kids in mind, like those from LeapFrog.

Disable in-app purchases or turn on Family SharingThe app might be free, but you’ll soon find after 10 minutes of playing there are way too

many ways in which you are encouraged to buy more gems, or coins, or building materials

for real cash. To make sure you aren’t hit with a big bill either turn off in-app purchases

altogether, or if you are using the iPad or iPhone, turn on Family Sharing so you are alerted

that your child is about to buy something. With the latter you can then approve it after

you’ve negotiated they do their homework!

Age limit your

content

Buy a big bumper case

Look at setting up a guest account

Buy a dedicated

kids’ tablet