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    

#DonateAPhoto & Help Protect a Child from Bullying | #JnJ

Earlier this month I attended the LATISM conference in New York City. While there, I stopped by the Johnson & Johnson's suite. Aside from their products that I love, I admire that J&J uses social media for social good and encourages YOU to do the same. 

With their new Donate a Photo app, you can help make a difference.

For every photo you share, Johnson & Johnson donates $1 to a cause you want to help - which does things like fix up a public park, get medicine for an infant, or help kids play sports safely. You choose the cause you want to help, Johnson & Johnson makes it happen.

You can donate one photo a day, every day. With a photo a day, you’ll make a difference by raising money and awareness for causes you care about. Share with your friends and you’ll help your causes meet their goals faster.

October is Bully Awareness Month and I am donating my photos to help prevent a child from bullying. What cause do you want to help?   

Find out more about the Donate A Photo app - HERE. The app is available for iOS and Android. 

Will 'Autistic' Replace the R-Word? Not On My Watch It Won't.

Just incase you didn't know...

As a writer, I don’t want to censor anyone’s artistic license. But as a  mother raising a son with autism – I want these insults to stop. In every single form. Read my 7/24/13 post on Parents.com/ToTheMax - Is 'Autistic' the New R-Word?

It's Not Okay To Laugh At Him

I am not the kind of mother who can take their kid to the park and relax on a bench, reading a book or chatting with other parents, watching from a distance.

No, I'm right on the front lines. Dodging screaming sweaty kids, while watching out for The Boy. And occasionally, pushing another kid on the swing or helping them navigate the playground equipment and sometimes even cheering them on because they look so proud when they do something cool and look so bummed that their parents aren't paying attention.

Sometimes, I watch other kids staring at The Boy. The older he is getting, the more frequent it's become. I am working up the courage to address the starers.

But today was a playground first. Two little girls (sisters) laughed at The Boy.  

They were between seven and nine years old. The first time it happened, I approached one of the girls who I overheard talking about The Boy. She said something about not wanting to play near him because he was making funny noises. I tried to explain that Norrin has trouble talking and makes noises when he gets excited. But since had no interest in playing with the girls, I did not bother to make introductions.

Moments later, the sisters were playing on the merry-go-round when The Boy ran and joined them. The girls were having trouble making it go around and I was willing to help since The Boy was there.  (The girls parents were sitting on a nearby bench.) As I walked over, I heard the girls giggling and the girl I had spoken to was repeating what I was saying and laughing. When she saw me, she covered her mouth but she was still laughing at The Boy.  So was her sister. 

I gave the merry-go-round a push. But the girls kept laughing, staring at The Boy. Not really caring that I was there or that The Boy could see them.

And The Boy?

Blissfully unaware and unbothered that these girls were blatantly laughing at him.

But I was aware. And I was bothered. 

Because The Boy is barely seven. These girls slightly older than him. And they are laughing. What will happen when The Boy is twelve, fifteen, nineteen? Will he be pushed around, cursed out or beat up? Will it bother him then?

I was bothered because The Boy had not bothered them in any possible way. He did not taunt them or push them out of the way. He did not deserve to be laughed at.   

I stopped the ride, grabbed The Boy by the hand and told him we were going to another playground.

I wanted to scream at those girls for laughing.  I wanted to ask them how they would feel if I started laughing at them because of something they did. I wanted to yell at their parents, who had not bothered to look up a single time.

I've been angry ever since. 

It is not okay to laugh at The Boy.  

It is not okay to laugh at anyone for being different. That's how bullying begins.

I should have never left the playground. I should have stayed and stood up for The Boy. I should have reminded the girls that it's never nice to laugh at someone who is different. I should have gone up to the parents and explained the situation.

Why should I have to accept except it as kids just being kids? 

Why is bullying, the kind of "typical" behavior that's acceptable and The Boy's "atypical" behaviors not?

"Let's Talk About Autism" Radio Capicu Blog Talk Radio Recap

Last month while at Hispanicize, I met George "Urban Jibaro" Torres, founder of Sofrito Media Group.  Both Boricuas from New York, we immediately clicked - we even knew some of the same people.  So when George asked me if I was interested in participating on his Blog Talk Radio Show - Radio Capicu, "Let's Talk About Autism" - I didn't even hesitate.


Even if that meant taking a break from the Top Blogueras Retreat.  Connecting with the Latino community about autism was the very purpose of this blog.  


Today I had the chance to listen to the show.  And it was incredibly moving for me.  Listening to the other parents share their stories.  Also on the show was Veronica Vasquez-Jackson and Stuart Chaifetz. 


The show really made me think.  It sparked some topics for blog posts.  It made me realize that Latinos want to talk about autism - they just need the opportunity to do so.   


You can listen to the show by clicking the link below and/or it can be downloaded to your iTunes for Free.  That's how I listened to it.

 

Listen to internet radio with Radio Capicu on Blog Talk Radio

Here are some links that I talked about while on the show: 

Part 200 (Student with Disabilities) and Part 201 (Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities Subject to Discipline) -- This has been extremely helpful; it is a PDF of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. (I found the link here.)  The document is long (about 200 pgs) but it's important to look through.  It goes through Due Process Procedures and the Board of Education Responsibilities and Definitions. I've noted sections in letters to CPSE administrators.  Let them know that you know the law. Please note there is a  disclaimer: These Rules of the Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education ("regulations") are unofficial, and are presented for general informational purposes as a public service. 

Queens Parent Support Group - http://www.qcpac.org/

For more local resources please visit my NYC Resources page. But please keep checking back - I have LOTS of updating to do.  

April may have been Autism Awareness Month, but for us it's Autism Awareness every day.  Thank you Radio Capicu for helping spread awareness and for allowing your listeners to share their stories.

What Do You Do When Your Child's Special Education Teacher/Aide is The Bully?

This is going to be a short post because I want you to go right to the video - it's about 15 minutes long.

NO PARENT should have to experience this.  And NO child - certainly NO SPECIAL NEEDS child should have to endure such humiliation and torment by a teacher or aide.  These are the people we trust will take care of our children. 

  

What kind of special education teacher/aide calls a 10 year old autistic boy a bastard? 

What kind of special education teacher/aide openly discusses drinking, parents and complaining about their husbands?

This New Jersey father, Stu Chaifetz, - so desperate to know what was going on with his son, Akian, sent him to school with a wire.  And what Stu discovered...was appalling and disgraceful.     

Watch the video.  Share it on Facebook and/or twitter.  Email it to friends and family.  And then - sign this petition --> http://www.hnva.net/teacherbully/

As a mother to an autistic child - Norrin cannot tell me about his day.  He cannot tell me when someone hurts him.  He does not have the capacity to speak up when he is wronged.  I am his voice.

And Stu, is Akian's voice.  Please listen.