Club Penguin and Online Safety #ItStartsWithYou

Last week I was invited to the 1st ever Club Penguin Safety Summit. Club Penguin is the #1 Virtual World for Kids. Chris Heatherly, VP of Club Penguin, described the virtual world as "the largest playground for kids." With over 200 million penguins, in 90 countries and 6 languages, Club Penguin is the first "social media experience" for kids. 

Not only is Club Penguin a fun place for kids, it's dedicated to keeping them safe. Club Penguin goes through great lengths to keep the space bully free for kids. With over 200 moderators (in 4 locations and 6 languages) and specialized technology filters, Club Penguin has multiple layers of safety features.

At the Safety Summit, I learned how rude and inappropriate language is banned. And I was impressed by the complexity of the filters. For example, a player can say "I'm going to the beach" but cannot say "You're such a beach." Players can chat, however, they are unable to share personal information such as email or phone numbers. The moderators also know to look for signs of online predators within the space.     

As parents we worry about our kids. We want to keep them safe on the playground and online. In another effort to continue and promote online safety, Club Penguin has launched the "It Starts With You" campaign. 

"The question is no longer whether kids should be online, but how to prepare them for a social online world,’ said Heatherly. 'It Starts with You!' is about empowering kids and their parents with the information they need to play an active and educated role in online safety.”

The ‘It Starts with You!’ online safety campaign will include:

• A branded campaign on Disney Channel and Disney’s online networks featuring a safety PSA starring G Hannelius from Disney Channel’s “Dog With A Blog,” the hit comedy series for kids and families.
• An online safety resource center (http://clubpenguin.com/safety) to help kids and parents learn the latest in online safety and empower them to be good digital citizens. The resource center will offer:
• Multilingual safety tips for kids about how to protect their information online and be respectful to others
• Multilingual online safety information and news for parents
• Printable activity sheets to help kids be thoughtful digital citizens
• Online safety PSA starring G Hannelius
• Printable safety pledge for families to take together that encourages communication about online usage and rules.
• Within the world of Club Penguin, an in-game quiz to test players’ knowledge about online safety. Players that successfully complete the quiz will earn an exclusive virtual item for their penguin avatar. 

Today is Safer Internet Day, the purpose is to "to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world."

Raising a child with autism, bullying is a matter that concerns me. Kids with autism are easy targets and more likely to be bullied. However in recent years, bullying is not only a school yard/playground threat, "cyberbullying has become one of the most prevalent types of bullying that occurs between teens. About 80 percent of all high school students have encountered being bullied in some fashion online." 

I've written about the benefits of video games and kids with special needs. I have seen how it's helped my son. And I'm all for using technology to teach social skills. One day, my son may want to engage in social media. I want him to have the freedom to do so but I want to make sure he is safe. And it's reassuring to know that within Club Penguin, he will be.


Disclaimer: I was invited to the Club Penguin Safety Summit. No monetary compensation was received, all opinions are my own.

images via Disney Interactive    

#VivaNavidad & #DisneyHolidays | My 1st Visit To Disneyland

Three years ago, we visited Walt Disney World and it was an emotional trip for me. Growing up, I always wanted to go to Disney. We just couldn't afford to go. Being able to give something to The Boy that I wanted as a child filled with me pride. And I was happy that we could experience Disney together for the first time.

Last week I was honored to be one of the Babble Latina Mom Bloggers invited to visit Disneyland. (And I was beyond excited since it was my very first visit to California.)

I knew that I would fall in love with Disneyland. But I had no idea how hard I'd fall. The Disneyland Hotel is all about the fine Disney details - from the headboard, to the light fixtures to the rug. My favorite were the throw pillows.

Then there was the walk through Downtown Disney. So happy that I got my holiday shopping done for The Boy! I know he's going to be excited about his gifts.

I was walking around Disneyland with the biggest grin on my face. I got on a few rides including - It's a Small World, the Jungle Cruise and the Haunted Mansion. Disney just makes me happy. It reminds me of all the possibilities that come with a single dream.

My visit to Disney, included a premier viewing of the “World Of Color – Winter Dreams” water show at Disney California Adventure. And it was simply AMAZING - unlike anything I've ever seen in my life.

There were moments when I had to fight back tears. I wished that The Husband and The Boy were with me. Nothing made me miss them more than walking through Disneyland without them. I felt guilty about being there without my family - really, really guilty. But it gave me ideas on how to plan our trip. Because I will return with them. I don't know when but it's going to happen. Disneyland is an experience I want The Boy to have.

There aren't enough words to describe the magic of the Disney Holidays. Check out how I used Disney Story to share my first visit to Disneyland and below get a sneak peek of the Disneyland ¡Viva Navidad! and World of Color fun!

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” takes over Paradise Gardens with a daily celebration inspired by the warmth and joyous spirit of Latino culture and holiday traditions. From Nov. 15 through Jan. 6, 2014, “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” offers special activities such as live Latino music, dance lessons, crafts and face painting for children and a “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party.” The festivities also include traditional holiday foods. The grand finale of “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” will be the special celebration of Three Kings Day (Dia de lost Reyes), Jan. 3-6, 2014. 

 “World of Color - Winter Dreams” is an all-new version of “World of Color” in Disney California Adventure Park that brings the spirit of the holidays to life with music, humor and the joy of the season. Hosted by Olaf the snowman, from the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated feature “Frozen,” the show combines new animation with classic winter scenes and a funny Nutcracker scene danced by the toys from “Toy Story.”

Showing Our #DisneySide

I've loved Disney since I was a little girl. Goofy was my favorite character and The Little Mermaid and Snow White were my favorite movies. As a kid I dreamed about visiting the Disney parks but it wasn't a family vacation we could afford.

Two years ago, we ventured on our first family vacation to Disney World. And our true Disney Side came out! 

Our first trip to the Magic Kingdom was so wonderful - I cried when I left. I cried because I was fulfilling my childhood dream.  And I cried because I felt The Boy didn't understand the true magic of Disney. The Boy enjoyed some things but he was young and many of the attractions were either frightening or overwhelming for him. If we went now (and we definitely want to go back) I think it would be better for The Boy. Especially if we went to Disney Land and visited Cars Land - I just know he'd LOVE that for sure. 

When we planned our trip, we had no idea we would be there for Star Wars week. That made The Husband happy. He was definitely showing his Disney Side that day. He made us nearly 3 hours (yes, 3 hours) to get an autographed photo of Jeremy Bulloch aka Boba Fett. 

And when I saw Snow White, I was determined to have my photo taken with her. There is something about Disney World that brings out the kid in all of us. 

But you don't need to get on a plane or take a vacation to show your Disney Side. The other day while at Toys R Us The Husband went on and on about the new Disney Infinity figure sets. The Husband has been up many late nights playing.

And I was giddy with excitement when I met Jodi Benson. I went home that evening, put on The Little Mermaid and sang my heart out.

Part of what makes parenting fun is getting to relive our childhoods with our kids. I want The Boy to play video games with his dad. I want them to bond over Star Wars and Marvel comics. The Boy is named after a Marvel Super Hero. I want The Boy to see me enjoying Disney movies just as much as he does. 

I want The Boy to know that just because we grow up doesn't mean we have to stop having fun. 
  
How do YOU show your Disney Side?

The Husband's Disney Side

Disney is running a "Vine Your Disney Side" contest through October 31 and selecting one winner per day. Be sure to Vine your Disney Side and tag #DisneySideContest for a chance to win up to $10,000. See DisneySideContest.com for rules.