I had always wondered how otherwise-savvy kids get duped into rendezvousing with people they meet online (sometimes to tragic end).  But I recently learned that most predators will communicate with a child for three to six months before suggesting an in-person meeting. Over such an extended period, they are able to build a rapport and a credible story about who are (but really aren’t). They know the latest music and interests of children. They listen empathetically. Only very gradually do they interject any sexually explicit chat.

I found this European site,…

If you fret about the amount of time your kids are spending with TV, an easy way to turn this to a positive (instead of lowering the “no more TV boom”) is to sit and watch with them. Yes, I know you wanted to “get something done” while your kids watched, and this tactic does defeat that purpose. But at least you get an enjoyable rest period, and you can feel good that your child is learning more.

According to David Dutwin, Ph.D., author of Unplug Your Kids (Adams Media, 2009), studies show…

If you’re like me, the thought of buying a new piece of recreational hardware (even when it’s just sanctioning a purchase by your child) is often accompanied by the thought, “How long before this becomes obsolete?” This article from Fast Company answers that question for everything from the Wii to GameStop to Halo with the inside scoop on what will be new in 2009 (and beyond) for consoles, games and distribution.

photo credit: craigmdennis

I just read a fascinating thought from Caitlin Flanagan in the Atlantic this month about why teenage girls read:

The salient fact of an adolescent girl’s existence is her need for a secret emotional life—one that she slips into during her sulks and silences, during her endless hours alone in her room, or even just when she’s gazing out the classroom window while all of Modern European History, or the niceties of the passé composé, sluice past her. This means that she is a

…

This week, a new game review site called Whattheyplay.com launched. But there’s a twist: Its editors review kids’ games for parents. For each game, the editors provide information about the “game experience” and details of its ESRB rating – neither recommending it nor panning it – to help parents know if the game is appropriate for their kids. There’s also an area for parents to submit their own reviews. And they can complete this sentence, “I think this game is OK for kids over the age of…”…