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Keeping Kids SAFE online - GetNetWise.org!

Online safety is a growing concern as our kids slowly turn from toddlers to teenagers. What to do as parents is always a concern a frequent question by many clients. What do I do about Chatting? What is MySpace.com? What is my kid downloading now?? What are our risks?

What is MySpace & What are the risks?-

I have a lot of families under my Angel belt - and a frequent topic are the kinds of things that kids get into. Once middle school/high school hits the household, suddenly kids are interested in the social aspects of internet life. According to Wikipedia (my favorite online encyclopedia) " MySpace.com (or MySpace) is a free service that uses the Internet for online communication through an interactive network of photos, weblogs, user profiles, e-mail, web forums, and groups, as well as other media formats. This all-inclusive service is sometimes called a social networking interface. MySpace is a very active site, and additions and new features are being added constantly. MySpace is also home to various independent musicians, who post songs directly on their profile. These songs can also be uploaded onto other profiles. Because of the high popularity, mainstream musicians have entered this trend as well. CDs of independent music are sold in various establishments."

CBS recently put up an article about the serious risks of MySpace online and use by teenagers. The article is found at http://www.cbsnews.com. As of last week, however, MySpace has begun making efforts to better educate its users and assure better safety. News release on MySpace & Safety.

What should your teenager consider to protect not only their privacy but also their investment in the future?

• My first concern is that future colleges and employers can easily surf MySpace to see what kind of reputation an individual has built for him/herself. How one represents him/herself can really hurt future opportunities. Be attentive to what your child posts
• Lack of current verification of identity: the site has an age limit of 14 and up - but no way for moderators to verify, so kids younger than 14 have full access to material.
• There IS SEXUALLY EXPLICIT content on MySpace posted by other users and the profile questions that users create is geared towards adults.
• Be aware of what your child posts - especially identifying information. Some kids believe nothing can happen to them, and believe their friends are more savvy that you! Make the rule that if they are to use the computer they must share ALL usernames/passwords with you so that you can have access and ensure they are keeping safe.
• Remember that even PICTURES can house identifying information - like a school name/logo, signs, stickers found in the background of the image. Be aware!

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Make Page Setup Changes Permanent
taken from http://www.worldstart.com/tips

Do you find that you're constantly making changes to the Page Setup information in MS Word? Are these changes the same each time? Maybe you don't agree with the default margins or maybe you're always making adjustments to the header / footer settings.

You can easily make those changes permanent! The key to making this wish come true has been right there before our eyes the whole time.

Take a look in the bottom left hand corner of the Page Setup window:

• Go to FILE --> PAGE SETUP
• Adjust your settings the way you like them then click DEFAULT on the left-bottom side of the window.
• You can do the same thing with FONTS - go to FORMAT --> FONT
• Select your favorite font and click DEFAULT on the lower left.

Can I make my screensaver show all the pictures I have in a folder?
In the digital era, we end up with endless folders of family photos and events. Why not use them for your screensaver?

• Right click on an empty spot on your desktop
• Choose Properties
• Choose the Screensaver TAB
• Browse the list of screensaver items and find My Pictures Slideshow
• Click SETTINGS and you can point directly to one folder or use the default My Pictures folder
• Set the timer settings (when it starts, how fast they flow, how they change)
• Click OK - APPLY

You can also adjust those ICONS that you need like MY COMPUTER and Internet Explorer -

• On the same display window that you started for your desktop picture & screensaver, you can also click the DESKTOP button
• This will allow you to put check boxes in the essentials, AND change your icons for My Computer, Recycle, Etc. I have great icons that I use, and people always ask how I got such cute icons!.

Evelyn Dufner
407-312-0901
(the computer angel)