Inside NetSmartz Workshop
Educate. Engage. Empower: Creating Tween Ambassadors for Online Safety
It can be difficult to engage children of any age, but tweens can be particularly challenging. With this in mind, NetSmartz Workshop partnered with Sprint to create the NSTeens–a cast of diverse, comic-book-style characters who take on Internet and personal safety issues. Now, NetSmartz is proud to announce another exciting tween-centered collaboration with social networking site AllyKatzz.com!
AllyKatzz gives tween girls a place to share their thoughts and be heard on the issues which are important to them. On AllyKatzz, tweens have been blogging about everything from current events to fashion; now, they will be blogging about online safety as well through the AllyKatzz tween ambassador program.
The ambassadors will blog to rally their communities around issues such as social networking, cyberbullying, and revealing too much information. Beginning April 15, NSTeens' banner ads will run on AllyKatzz, directing tweens to NSTeens.org for tips and information about keeping themselves safer. So check out the NSTeens on AllyKatzz or visit NSTeens.org directly with the tweens in your life today!
Bulletin Board: Get Your Paws On This!
This metallic blue pooch lends his name to the title of the newest NetSmartzKids adventure, Router's Birthday Surprise---but how well do you really know Router the robot dog? Test your knowledge now with Router's Paw Prints Trivia! Print the PDF and then search NetSmartzKids.org for fun facts about Router. This quest will take you all over the site, into music videos, character bios, and more. Complete the PDF with your child or class and mail it in to win a free Router's Birthday Surprise DVD. This DVD, with its comprehensive Internet and real-world safety lessons, has yet to be released, so you will be among the first to watch this humorous, energy-filled NetSmartzKids cartoon!
Social Spotlight: A Robot's Words of Wisdom
What does a robot have to say about Internet safety? If we're talking about Clicky, NetSmartz Workshop's Internet safety spokes-bot, A LOT! Calling on almost 10 years of experience in the child safety arena, Clicky shares his thoughts about keeping kids safer online.
Q: What was the biggest technological advancement of your generation?
A: Well robots are already pretty technologically advanced. But I do like smart phones like Blackberrys and iPhones---all those cool apps!
Q: Who is your favorite NetSmartz character?
A: Router, he's the Internet Safety pup and my best friend in the world.
Q: What is the best advice you have for parents who want to keep their kids safer online?
A: Visit www.netsmartz.org and empower yourself to help your children make safer online choices. Take our pledge and encourage your kids to share their online world with you.
Q: What is your favorite website?
A: My favorite website is NetSmartzKids.org and I also love NSTeens.org.
Q: How did you get involved with NetSmartz Workshop?
A: I was born here.
Q: Name one technology or gadget you can't live without.
A: I can't live without my e-mail. It's the only way I can answer the questions from kids who write to me every day.
Q: What advice do you have for young people online?
A: To be serious about online safety and learn how to Use Your NetSmartz so you can make safer choices. Some choices you make today, could really affect your future, like a job or admission to college.
Q: What is your favorite online activity?
A: Listening to music or playing Scrabble®.
Q: Do you spend more time creating or consuming Web content?
A: Definitely creating, but the only way to learn is to consume as well!
Q: What do you think the Internet will look like in five years?
A: It will be beautiful as long as we know how to treat it right and the make it a fun, safe place for everyone to learn and enjoy.
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Any views or opinions presented in Social Spotlight are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent those of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.