About a year ago I created a video for iVillage about kids and social networking.

While doing my research for that piece, I developed the belief that before children get into social networking… I feel it is best they are exposed to opportunites in social spaces specifically crafted for children. Of course, these sites need to be monitored and must adhere to the terms as laid out in COPPA. A “practice” space, if you will.

There are 2 reasons why I hold such convictions:

1. Someone said to me recently, “Not all people online are pedophiles, but all pedophiles are online.”
2. Even adults have a hard time navigating and understanding the unique style of communication that comes in the written form. The lack of maturity in children pumped up with blossoming hormones can create a cocktail of drama.

Re: point 1 – Children need to be taught about the dangers online… The tactics of pedophiles… In Facebook, we add “friends”, but as adults we all know there is a difference between our friends and a “Facebook friend.” The term “friend”, automatically  cracks open the door to a potentially dangerous unknown for children yet with lots of room to mature. Children allowed into social spaces too young are at increased risk. They just are.

Re: point 2 – Then there’s communication among peers. Having a moderated, secure space helps children learn the social rules for communication in the written space. It’s hard enough for adults to have successful and clear email or Facebook wall conversations. Children and pre-teens do not have maturity on their side to help balance perspective or know to step away and cool down.

My daughter’s 4th grade class has been using a site called Edmodo this year. It looks like Facebook, but it is created for classroom use. The teacher moderates the space, and students know the site is to be used for classroom/educational topics and discussion.

For information on other child-safe social sites check out Mashable’s post on 5 Safe Social Networks for Kids… The article is about a year old, but it’s a great place to start looking!

What are your thoughts? Do you have elementary kids that are using similar tools in their classroom? How do you feel about incorporating social networking into schools?

********

Never miss a thing! Get JOTS latest adventures via email or in your blog reader.

Social Networking for Elementary Students: Edmodo is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

In a world that is seemingly dominated by “the gamer”… we often associate video games and gaming to men and boys.

And basements.

But gaming isn’t just for basements and boys.

Our girls can dominate the screen time as well.

Are you shifting in your seat?

Screen time??? Screen time is bad!

Well… Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.

With everything… moderation.

Except coffee and glitter, but I digress…

I was able to attend (and host!) the Games for Girl Summit in Seattle… Sponsored by Activision. Which means I got to see many of my local peeps, but did not get enough pictures of them…

Tammy (Tammy’s Two Cents), Louise (Mom Start), Leslie (24/7 Moms)

Marie (Make and Takes)

Toys and games (Activision)

The moms who came heard from Suzanne Kantra, the Editor-in-Chief of Techlicious.com, and Nicole Armstrong, the Director of Marketing at Activision. And, might I add both extremely delightful women. Delightful.

Suzanne presented research and perspective on the world of gaming and as it affects/relates to girls. I found the research she presented interesting…

• Experiencing success
• Coordination (reference pdf here)
• How failing can be beneficial (gamers fail 80% of the time)
• Pushes the individual to do better

I see you raising your hand… “But Jenny…”

Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one to two hours for kids older than 2.

As a parent… any activity must be moderated. Too much of anything isn’t good (exception: coffee, glitter…) … Parents must be involved. Invested. We must be “in the know” especially as it relates to the new technology our children are experiencing.

And friends. There is SO much to keep up on.

Nicole Armstrong shared some of the new Activision games available just in time for the holiday season. Games specifically geared toward girls. I appreciated the opportunity to attend and see what these 6 games girl-focused games are about:

Even the little ones can’t resist Wappy Dog!

Cute little baby of Kerri (The Maven of Social Media)

Being a mom of 2 girls… girls that like video games… but also a mom of daughters who has been discouraged by the primarily Barbie/princess options… I was excited tobe shown these new games.

Knowing my girls… I’m thinking Wappy Dog and ZhuZhu Babies might be big hits for us. But I hear Moshi Monsters are quite a hit… and suspect my littlest would get a kick out of Lalaloopsy.

Not that anything is wrong with princesses, but my mama’s heart can only indulge that for so long. And Barbie? Allowed, but not a direction in which I steer my girls’ attention.

My girls (6 and 9) want tech for Christmas this year. I left the Games for Girls Summit feeling better about my “gamer girls”… and better equipped to help lead my girls as they continue in their own journey into games and using technology.

I want to encourage their use of technology. That is where We are headed. I truly believe teaching them, guiding them and allowing them to discover their passion and how it relates to technology is so important in our world these days.

Oh, and we also have a trampoline.

*boing boing*

Disclosure: I was compensated by Business to Blogger to hostess this event… and received each of the highlighted games. Now my girls can see for themselves. All opinions and excitement… and trampoline are my own. And don’t tell my girls what they are getting for Christmas. M’kay? Thanks *wink*.

 ********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Gaming and Girls… It’s O.K… For reals. [Sponsored] is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

You go to Google to search for something you misplaced in your own home…

Has anyone ever done this?

Or maybe…

Looks like I’m not the only one.

In my own defense… I only got to the point where I went to my computer and typed “goog” into my browser when I realized Google would not help me find that one book I was looking for.

Related… Google Maps cannot help you find the aisle Central Market keeps their Velveeta.

Also, don’t buy Velveeta at Central Market.

$$$

I digress. This was about me and not the price of Velveeta.

P.S. Central Market has eggnog!!! LIFE IS GOOOOOOD!

This also was not a post about Central Market, nor eggnog.

My amends.

The fact of the matter is, there comes a point where one must take a look at oneself and one’s reliance on the onlines.

When one’s knee-jerk reaction to finding something sends one to Google to find a misplaced item in one’s own home  – one must reassess.

Update: I found my book. Under a pile of papers. With no help from Goggle, thankyouverymuch.

It was… you know… exactly where I left it.

I think somebody needs a nap.

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

You know you are online a wee-bit too much when… is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

I am not trying to brag here.

Who am I kidding – YES I AM!

PEOPLE. I GET TO GO SEE DURAN DURAN!

I have a very special connection with Duran Duran. Simon LeBon and I share the same birthday.

But he’s older. Just to clarify.

Do you remember the 20th anniversary of my 16th birthday?

I shared my cake with him. And even made sure he was kind-of at the party with me:

I GET TO SEE DURAN DURAN IN CONCERT!!!

——–

In other news – about me… (Um, this IS JENNY on the spot)… The morning after the concert, I am holding another diaper drive. I am committed like that. Did I tell you that we received 984 diapers and $260 last week?

I am so excited to see what comes in this Saturday! I am so excited for our local babies!!! Operation Day of Hope – here come diapers!!!

I had already planned the diaper drive WEEEEEEEKS ago, then my friend Lisa was all, “DURAN DURAN!” And I was all, “But… diaper drive… next day… tired… busy… irresponsible…” Lisa was all, “DURAN DURAN!” And I was all, “You are totally right.”

——–

The morning after the diaper drive (SUNDAY, ya’ll!) I have to get up with the burglars and head on over to the airport so I can catch a flight to Dallas where I will be doing my Ignite Your Inner Sparkle presentation again.

YES!

You can find my first presentation on this topic: here. This time it will be for Southwest Airlines. I am not actually clear on the exact event (they said something about a microphone, and getting to choose my own theme music (Blow, Ke$ha) and NO NEED FOR QUESTIONS! I am there!)  I tweaked my original presentation a little for this event because I hear it’s more of a male audience. Despite this fact – I have made more body glitter to pass out and hope I will see lots of sparkly beards, like my friends here from Evo:

My heroes!!! Scott and Ben! GoooooooOOOOO SPARKLE BEARDS!!! Such “tough” guys…

I get back late Monday night… just in time to help 4th graders with their multiplication facts Tuesday morning. Good thing the teacher puts the answers on the back of those flashcards.

Whoa boy.

——–

Do you want me to tell you about the auction I am emcee’ing on October 8th? Well, if you want to come – you can get ticket’s here and if you choose to come you will be helping a worthy cause – children’s musical theatre!!! FTW!!!

——–

Looking further into the future… In November – watch out LA! BlogWorld LA!!! I’m comin’!

Join me at the BlogWorld & New Media Expo in Los Angeles, Nov 3-5, 2011! Use code SPOT20 for your 20% discount!

This year, the Type-A Parent Conference is partnering with BlogWorld & New Media Expo to offer a BlogWorld parent blogger track! I will be joining my friend Clay (who I met at Type-A Parent 2010… for he was the dynamic moderator of a panel I hid behind the mic on)…

That’s Clay of DadLabs, yo!

Our session is titled, Breaking Into Parent Vlogging.

You don’t even know.

And neither do Clay and I at this point. We’ll be ready when the time comes. We promise. November is practically a year away. But only really a month, or 6 weeks.

I am not mathy.

You can see the entire Type-A track at Blog World Expo here.

——–

I know this is a lot, and if you made it all the way down to here… OH MY GOSH HOW MUCH DO I LOVE YOU??? YOU, are so good at persevering! I think you deserve a cookie. Do you have a cookie nearby? Go get yourself a cookie.

That’s right.

Eat that cookie, you persevere-er you!

********

Get Jenny On the Spot’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Keep up on JOtS giveaways – get new giveaway updates via email by clicking here!

Follow: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Duran Duran, Diaper Drive, Dallas and BlogWorld Expo BABY! is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

I am so tired of getting friend requests from businesses on Facbeook (AND BLOGS). I am irritated… INCENSED even. Hitherhencetofore, a video PSA in which I explain why. I also use the word “stupid”. I may seem harsh, but I am will to stand by my own side if fire comes from this. And I do have an alter-ego, so standing by my own side is entirely possible…

One time recently, when had a local business try to “friend” me on Facebook, I took a bit of time from my day to compose a helpful (I never used the word “stupid”) message… encouraging them and outlining the reasons why it would be better for them to set-up a fan page. I added I’d “friend” the business owner (an acquaintance), but not the business. I’d “like” the business, but not “friend” it.

Friends… I really want my local business people to do well in this space… and I wanted to “like” them. I am a huge fan of supporting local business…

You wanna know what?

I never. Heard. Back.

Currently, that business is married… to a very lovely woman (which I already knew). But the strange thing is, I didn’t know that kinda stuff was legal is Washington state… for people to marry businesses and such.

You see, there are a lot of ways for a business to not look smart. But with my very helpful information here, this is one area businesses can rest-assured they will look savvy. It’s very easy —-> Business + Facebook = Fan Page

#BOOM

In the words of Megan McGlover, “I love you long… I love you strong… Just don’t be stupid.”

********

Win Crocs here. Win $100 Visa card here. Both at my review site. I am not directing you to a crazy place. Or maybe I am…

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

My Own PSA on Businesses that Make Profile Pages is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

Do you have thoughts on this topic?

I do. I wrote about it here not long ago, and today my video piece is live at iVillage! [Click here or on image below to view]

If you have a few minutes, please check it out. I was privileged to have several willing victims friends share their thoughts on kids and teens and parents and…. social networks. The concensus undoubtedly circled around the need for intentional and strong parental involvement.

Since I am never one of few words… here are a few resources to add to your back pocket as you think about this topic:

• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
• SAFE social networks for kids!
• Your Sphere – a GREAT parent resource. Don’t know how to set privacy settings across networks? This site walks you through!
• And an interesting article that speaks to online addiction in kids. Would you pay your teen to stay off Facebook? Story here.
• Are you a blogger who writes about your family? I just found this post today, and found it to be very helpful and thought-provoking.

So. Folks… What are your thoughts? What has been YOUR experience?

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

Kids and Social Networks is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

Did you just flinch?

I do when I think about young kids on the FB.

At the risk of taking an unpopular stand… I say if a person is under 14, they should not be on Facebook… or MySpace… or Twitter… or… *insert your choice social network here*

COPPA says so too… fyi…

My reasoning:

1. Safety. It’s too risky. Period.
2. Predators.
3. Safety.
4. If many adults are not mature enough to behave online… then odds are kids are EVEN LESS MATURE.
5. I want my own space.
6. I WANT MY OWN SPACE.
7. My 11 year-old son doesn’t want his 11 year-old not-friends having access to his mom… hitherhencetofore – HIM.
8. I don’t want to worry about the kids he doesn’t want to share our pictures with.
9. I WANT MY OWN SPACE, YO.
10. It’s not legal. COPPA much?
11. While some (the operative word here) parents do it right (allow their children access to these spaces with limits and guidance), many do not. MANY.
12. Um… SAFETY. *ahem* and see above.

For example:

• I am not friends with my son’s friends/not-friends on Facebook. I am not Facebook friends with anyone under 14 (OK, 1… so sue me… we all have holes in our ideals, and this is that “exception” situation). However… some of MY friends are friends with my son’s friends/not-friends… and any privacy setting I have as “friends of friends” can be viewed by those kids. KIDS.

It is frustrating for me to not have a space I feel I can be an adult. Not that I want to post “adult” content, but… I know I am being watched… by children.

Dudes. What if some 9 year-old still believes in Santa and I blow it???!!!

I could completely block my information from everyone but friends… but people… this should not be my concern. My own kids, yes. Not others. I am not the parent of these young people. The parents of these children – THEY should be concerned… about what is appropriate and what is safe. Yet, I censor myself for the sake of someone else’s child.

Just think – I am mindful… but of all the friends of friends of these 7, 8, 9 and 10 year-olds… I wonder if all of THOSE friends of friends give a flying sh*t leap or have even thought about the fact that an 8 year old might be looking at their pictures or conversations. Not to mention the people who have no privacy settings set at all.

And should they really have to worry about that?

• Just today, I saw a 9/10 year old boy (the mother is a friend of a friend) write on his own wall — in an answer to a question from another young girl (it was clear she was young). He shared the school he attended. His entire profile is open. Videos. Pictures. Conversations… His given birth date would suggest he is 19… *lying much? that’s a great quality in a kid* His picture suggests otherwise AND suggests he could possibly be the next post-office rampager… aaaaaand apparently he is interested in women. He is 10. Or 9. I don’t know for sure.

That boy may very well be interested in girls. My first crush was in 1st grade… However, I was never asked to check a box to recognize whether I was interested in men or women. Adult. Adult. Adult.

OH. AND WHY WAS I SCOURING THE PAGE OF A 9/10 YEAR OLD BOY I HAVE NEVER MET???

BECAUSE I COULD.

His parents let me. His parents are essentially letting anyone scroll through their son’s videos and pictures… eventually finding the name of his school.

Does that creep you out? It creeps me out.

These spaces were created for adults. I believe there are a handful of parents helping kids safely navigate these spaces, but I think they are the exception and not the rule.

I’ll admit it. I am a bit of an alarmist. In a spectrum of paranoia, my needle points to the “high” side of the range.

In this space, what you don’t know can very well hurt… your child.

If something goes wrong here… it’s big wrong. From predators, to cyber-bullying to damaging families (kids say the darndest things…)…

As the old saying goes — Better safe than sorry.

Life has built-in risks. I question allowing high-cost risks to people who can’t even drive themselves to get french fries or a pop. Education helps.

Instead of me just throwing out stop signs and negativity… here are some things to wade through as you think about where you stand on this. Options for your kids, and information for you…

• My friend Kadi Prescott posted a great link on one of my Facebook groups today. It’s a post from Mashable – 5 Fun and Safe Social Networks for Children. Let’s face it… social networking isn’t going away. It would be foolish to forbid a child from any access and then set them free on their 14th birthday… I love the idea of a “social networking training ground”.
• My friend Cammie Moise founded Cyber Safe Family… it is a site robust with helpful information. Knowledge is power!
• Safety Web walks through setting Facebook privacy settings, and offers articles about online reputation, cyberbullying and more.
• I do not have any experience with Social Shield, but… it’s a resource I have come across. If your child is on Facebook, and you have concern or simply feel you need the added involvement, perhaps it’s worth looking into.
• The forum-type site, BitMoms outlines topics to talk to your kids about. If your children are online, at least start opening up conversations about things like cyber-bullying, grooming, pornography, Malware, internet addiction…

I just think there is too much at risk… from innocence to reputation to… … … … My concerns outlined here don’t even touch on cell phones or iPod Touches or YouTube. Parents. There is so much to think about. Literally. We cannot afford to be too tired or too old or too “adult” to bother with this stuff. Our kids are too valuable and simply, still kids.

********

What is your favorite meal in a bowl. Answer here. Your answer could be worth $100!

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

Soapbox Alert: Kids on Facebook is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

It has been awhile since I checked out the keyword phrases that are sending searchers over to Jenny On the Spot.

Searchers.

I am always a little surprised. Always a little disturbed. And always entertained by the creative long string searches that land folks on the doorstep of Jenny On the Spot.

It makes me think about the words I use. What sort of people am I driving to my site when they find JOtS via searches like — feels like little balls in my butt… Makes a girl think twice. And maybe gag a little.

People looking for tampon crafts have stopped by. In keeping with the theme there have also been visitors looking for advice on how to not get embarrassed buying tampons or how to make a tampon flute or wanting to know… do old people buy tampons?

Clearly, I have become a resource. A valuable resource. They have come looking for: youtube.funny.com, “cute jenny” braces, blogger person, cues of diarrhea, a list of words that make people uncomfortable, how to make sure i don’t miss my baby growing up, and wonder — is it hard to be a blogger.

To answer that last question… it depends. If you look at your keyword searches, you may need a strong stomach. Believe me when I tell you, I am very selective in what searches I share here.

My searchers are as diverse as me. From looking for info on “ninja painter” to if it is bad to hold in vomit to sausage and pop tarts to “hands attached to my shoulders” to jenny poo poo in pants … I am speechless.

Some make perfect sense! Like, cooking video series – just started that! And i want to bling it – of course! I do too! Especially my alter-ego!

And then there are keyword searches that inspire. This one — because of you facebook has inspired me to write a poem.

Because of YOU… Facebook

Because of you, Facebook…

Because of you!

I have connected with friends of old,

and also friends of new.

Oh You, My Facebook profile…

You are my heart, my home.

My  precious Facebook news feed

Real-time proof I am not alone.

Facebook, oh Facebook!

You fun, fun place to be!

Facebook, oh Facebook!

*OHM*

********

Get your WIN on – via JOtS Reviews!

Share a funny story for a chance to win $150 here! One more day for chance at $100 here – just share a favorite breakfast cereal! And 2 more days to enter to win sanity for the back-to-school crowd!

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

Make We Laugh Monday: How Did They Get To Here? is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

For the Project Mom Casting folks… here is my one-line unique point of view: So many stories so little time.

For my friends and readers… I am at it again! (no voting, but you can get more info or chant “Jenny On The Spot” here…) I came across a new project that might be a good fit for me if the fitters of the project think I fit. Do you smell what I’m steppin’ in?

Project Mom Casting is a developing project looking to building a TV series around the reality of online moms. I was all… “I’m a mom! I’m online!” But then they asked for “your story”…

Oh. MY story.

I recently wrote a post evocatively titled *ahem*, The Stuff of Life. I know. Groundbreaking.

In it I broke down my story of now… which I don’t feel is all that different than many moms. We have messes and funny kid stories. We have goals for ourselves and goals for our families. We are women who run, bike, swim, walk or yoga… we laugh out loud, we cry, we volunteer too much, we eat more chocolate than we should, and *gasp* we yell at our kids. We fail. We win. We take naps. We pay the bills. We sing lullabies. We struggle with working or not working. Organic… Not organic… We like to dance. Well, I do. And I also love glitter, for the record.

The thing is… I don’t feel my particular story is so unique. Yet it is. Like a snowflake or a finger print, or dried outline of spilled chocolate milk. None is the same.

My story is about the camaraderie. It’s about encouragement. It’s about permission… to dance and wear glitter, even if you are a mom ESPECIALLY if you are a mom. And it’s a bit about perspective. When one woman dares tell her story, the stories of others emerge. I have set free my own stories of victory and defeat as a woman and mother… my own stories of risk, courage and plunder. I have not been throwing stories out into a void. As I dare to open wide, I discover. I learn. Emails, Facebook posts & messages, @ replies & DM’s on Twitter… all tell me WE are the story. It’s just that when I hit “publish”, it cracks the book open.

People in the public eye have easy access to share their stories… but I see stories happening EVERYWHERE. I hear them at school pick-up. I hear them at the coffee shop. I see the posts on Facebook… I read them in the local paper. Stories. Stories. Stories. Spectacular. Desperate. Meaningful… But they are not on the front page of the New York Times. The most incredible stories are found right here – our own friends, our own neighbors… Stories of hope. Stories of struggle. Stories of compassion. From block parties to back-to-school picnics.

This is why I am putting it all out there again. For an opportunity to help crack open another book. Ya know… so many stories, so little time.

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

Project Mom Casting – I Submit! is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...

I was at the mall the other day. No. Not that day… the OTHER day.

Yes. That day.

It was at the mall I saw this sign hanging near the bathrooms:

I was all, “Cool! Twitter! I KNOW HER!’ Then I was all, “OK. I’ll follow you. What’s your handle? What your ID. Who you is?”

Who? @who? I took a closer look:

*crickets chirping*

Common sense whispered in my ear, “Search Twitter for KitsapMall…”

*searching Twitter*

Yup. @kitsapmall

But I must ask… What the what?! Twadvertiser!!!! Help your Tweeple out. Your Twublic. Your twommunity… your twustomers… your twop keepers… your twustodians… Some of your window twoppers may not be as savvy as ‘ol Jenny on the Spot here…

P.S. The 16th is the last day to enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card… in a post I share a fun idea for a play date snack.

P.P.S. The Ultimate Blog Party is happening RIGHT. NOW. Click here to join in on the fun in my party post…

********

Keep up on the ridiculous, the insightful, the always digressive…

Get Jenny On The Spot by RSS or EMAIL or newsletter!

Follow JOTS on Twitter, join the Facebook Fan Page and/or Networked Blogs!

What The What?! Wednesday is a post from: Jenny On the Spot * This is what I do...