Cyberwise Chats

Why Your Kids Should Learn Coding NOW! (Featuring Code Ninjas)

During this Cyberwise Chat, we chatted with Bill Marsland, the Director of Education at Code Ninjas, the world's largest and fastest-growing kids' coding franchise. Watch and learn about all the cognitive skills kids gain when they learn how to code.
See all of our Cyberwise Chats here: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
Check out Code Ninjas here: https://www.codeninjas.com/
 

Teachers on the Front Lines: When Social Media Problems Come To School

Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, Exclusion, Hate Speech... problems that originate online are increasingly coming to school and disrupting the learning environment. Oftentimes, parents look to already overwhelmed teachers to solve these problems. But adding one more thing the the long list of priorities teachers already have is a tall order. So how can teachers, and parents, nip social media problems in the bud and keep them from spilling into the school day? In this Chat we offer answers, and solutions, as well as the results of our teacher survey on this issue. Learn more: www.cybercivics.com

Shared & Compared: A Chat with the Author of "Growing Up in Public"

More than ever, today’s children are growing up in world where nearly every moment of their lives is captured and shared on social media and more. In this Cyberwise Chat we spoke with Dr. Devorah Heitner, the best-selling author of “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World,” about the special challenges today’s connected children face. We explored ways you can help your children set boundaries, manage their privacy and reputations, while they also figure out who they are in a world where everyone is watching. Learn more at www.cyberwise.org

Making Games Safe For Kids

Worried about your kids and online gaming? Well, worry no more! In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Diana Graber talk about all the (easy!) ways you can keep your children safe while they play. Learn more: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats

How To Protect Your Child From Cyberbullying With Special Guest Ross Ellis, Founder & CEO, STOMP Out Bullying®

Learn how to protect your children from bullying and cyberbullying from experts Diana Graber, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, and Special Guest Ross Ellis from STOMP Out Bullying! 
 
How To Protect Your Child From CyberbullyingWith Dr. Pamela Rutledge & Diana Graber+ Special Guest Ross Ellis, Founder & CEO, STOMP Out Bullying®

Back-To-School Special: 5 Lessons Kids Need NOW!

In this Cyberwise Chat, we discuss the top five lessons teachers say kids need most in order to use tech safely, wisely, and most of all, productively! From managing screen time to dealing with cyberbullies, we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you step-by-step how to teach these topics to different ages and stages. Help your children thrive this year and beyond!

Ready or Not, AI is Coming! Is Your Child Prepared?

Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are accelerating at breakneck speeds: it’s hard for busy parents to keep up! Already children are growing up with AI-powered devices in the home, like Siri and Alexa, and many are playing with AI art tools like Dall E-2 or Dreamlike, and they may be talking about people having AI girlfriends (yes, it’s a thing). Even more advanced AI is on the way and these innovations will change everything from how kids learn, how they do research, and the jobs that will be available to them in the future.
What skills should we be teaching our children today to prepare them for a future inevitably powered by AI? How can we help them understand and master AI tools in the future? And, most importantly, how can we ensure they use AI tools safely and responsibly? We discuss this and more during our Cyberwise Chat.

New Laws Ban Teens From Social Media: Will They Work?

Utah became the first state in the U.S. to ban teens from social media. Utah SB 152 requires that all residents under the age of 18 have parental consent in order to create an account. Additionally, users under the age of 18 are banned from all qualifying social media platforms between 10:30 pm and 6:30 am. Arkansas became the second state to enact a similar ban, prohibiting social media companies from allowing Arkansas residents under 18 years of age from holding accounts without parental consent. Lawmakers in other states are considering similar legislation. During this Cyberwise Chat, we’ll discuss the effectiveness of this approach at keeping kids safe from the threats many of us fear: the mental health impact of social media, powerful algorithms that keep users engaged, cyberbullying and hate speech, online predators, exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, and more.
Our special guest is Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, a program designed to help teens reset their tech habits and build relationships with technology that empower them. Ambosi designed this program at UC Berkeley due to his personal challenges with technology, which he'll share with us during this Chat.
To see all of our Cyberwise Chats, please visit: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats

Kids & Screens: Can We Help Them Strike a Balance?

Kids are spending more time with screens than ever, and worried parents are wondering if we have reached the point of no return. Can we help kids strike a balance between screen time and all the other important things in their young lives? We think so, and we explore how. We were joined for this chat by Amy Webster and Amina Mohamoud, the Youth Engagement Director and Coordinator of "LiveMore ScreenLess," a nonprofit that partners with school communities to promote and advocate for digital wellbeing, which is defined as balanced, intentional and effective use of technology. 

Should TikTok Be Banned? Or Not?

TikTok, the popular app beloved by tweens and teens, has found itself in the crosshairs lately. President Joe Biden recently signed legislation that would ban the app from phones and computers issued by federal agencies. Dozens of states have implemented similar prohibitions on devices used by their employees, and universities across the country have banned the app on university-issued phones and from campus Wi-Fi networks.
The reasons for these bans vary from concerns about algorithms that amplify misinformation to the app’s negative impact on societal discourse. The most cited concern, however, involves national security, as the app is run by ByteDance, a Chinese-owned company. This has led to widespread fears about national security risks and the protection of personal privacy. In this Cyberwise Chat when we talk about whether TikTok is safe for your child to use, or not.