HTGYG Show #26: Obesity, Pluto and Books – Voicemail Show
Posted on 2009 under Shows, Special Topics | 4 Comments2 Mar
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This week, we have lots of great voicemails regarding our shows about obesity with some great snack recommendations from Mike. We also have Tim’s advice regarding teens and Facebook, and he introduces the concept of “pulling a Brady”. Then we have some great comments about the 365 Days of Astronomy cast that Amanda and I did, along with lots of great astronomy podcasts and sites. Lastly we have some book recommendations for Amanda’s age group from Rapideye.
Thanks for all the input, and keep it coming!
Don’t forget to check out the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast!
Please email me with your own comments at howtogrowyourgeek – at-gmail -dot-com, or call my voicemail number at 206-202-7309 and leave your thoughts. You can also visit our forum at the Farpoint Forums.And last but not least, you can follow me on Twitter!
Promo: Angel Between The Lines Auditions
Theme music courtesy of Jonathan Coulton
Sound effects and other music courtesy of pacdv.com
by Tabitha "Tabz" Smith, on March 4 2009 @ 9:44 pm
I’m all for safety online…
But Facebook and Myspace have a bad rap because it’s HUGE news, and I think the media overhypes the dangers because it’s chic to do so. Facebook is actually a lot safer than Livejournal or something else, because not everything you can see. You can actually have more privacy and only accept friends you want on the profile.
And, it should be good news that Facebook is booting people. That means they are moderating to keep the site safe.
And, again, you can monitor Facebook for your kids if you really want to – just be their friend. Just beware you might wind up on this site – http://myparentsjoinedfacebook.com/
by susiethegeek, on March 4 2009 @ 11:20 pm
I agree that it can be pretty safe, but I do still worry about younger folks. Older teens I would be fairly confident could use it well. Of course, they still need to be careful what they put! I learned all kinds of stuff about some folks by reading their sites!
by Tabitha "Tabz" Smith, on March 5 2009 @ 4:04 pm
Well, as I was 12 when I started online and not a parent, I might have a biased answer. But I really think if you can’t trust your 13 year old online then they shouldn’t be online at all.
Fussing over them or screening what they say or do will only lead to them getting clever and hiding more from you.
That said, you should be “around” when they’re online. If they can have you walk past without them trying to hide their screen or looking guilty, then you should be golden.
I grew up in a barrio (Mexican ghetto). And the internet is much like being in the inner city – if you look/act/behave like a scared person you attract more evil your way. This is how some parents approach online “oh my gosh it’s all evil WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON FACEBOOK?”
On the opposite site if you act like a confident person on the streets of the inner city, less evil will be attracted to you. Know what’s going on, observe the tell-tale signs, be confident in your child’s ability to rise to your level of expectations for online use and talk to them about it. Point out real examples of where people mess up and explain -why- it’s dangerous.
If you are aware of what goes online, talk it out with your kid and teach them how to be an acceptable internet usrs… and don’t act scared of it, you’ll be in a better position to guard your kids. If you wig out – you’ll only drive them farther away from your protective barrier.
by susiethegeek, on March 5 2009 @ 5:39 pm
Speaking as a parent whose elder child is only 8, my reaction would be “OMG What are you doing on FACEBOOK?” So I have no authority whatsoever to speak for parents of teens. However, I agree with Tabz, that knowing what you are getting into is important. By the time my kids are 12 or 13, I probably can trust them on FB and other places. But only because I am training them to be cautious now. The Internet is a great place, but must be used wisely, and for now, with supervision.