FOSI believes that by making teens the instructors, not only will parents learn about online experiences, but teens will look at their own behavior from a different perspective.
Some activities will even offer incentives. For example, when PfG goes live, FOSI will host a contest for teens about “What I wish my parents knew…” According to FOSI, this is a way for teens and parents to connect and teach each other about technology. The winner of the contest will be featured on the website. Additional prizes and awards will be announced as the contest promotion nears.
Parents can also experience activities, such as conversation starters, many of which will be picked directly from the news.
For instance, “whether it is the latest celebrity sexting scandal, a dad shooting the laptop and becoming a YouTube sensation, or a new research study about online behaviors, there is much for families to talk about,” said Gifford. “We want to help arm parents with the research and facts to talk about these subjects in a way that fosters communication rather than overreaction.”
PfG also will feature a blog with contributions from leaders in the online safety arena, as well as parents, teachers, and teens to “help strike the right balance,” said Gifford.
FOSI’s PfG social media pages already are showcasing the positive uses of technology, explained Gifford. For example, PfG’s social media recently featured a Seattle teenager who developed a search engine that donates all revenue to charity, and a teacher who used Twitter to enhance the classroom experience.
“We also share some really great ideas to stay busy this summer, both online and offline,” said Gifford. “From visiting a world famous museum without ever leaving your living room to planning an outdoor adventure, we have you covered!”
Really, this is about the research, concluded Gifford: “We looked at the school climate discussion being conducted around the country, and we noticed that many schools were exploring a social norms approach to addressing school climate concerns. This approach recognizes that people—youth and adults—behave in the way they think their peers behave. In the case of online safety, we noticed a large gap between the belief about what people are doing online and the research showing that the majority of youth are making good choices.”
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