Welcome KICKgen Parents!!

This site was created with privacy and safety in mind. That is why every photo and video is approved by a KICKgen staff member prior to public viewing. In addition, members are encouraged and rewarded to report any questionable content. All are welcome at KICKgen and a top priority is that this is a space that is safe for all ages. But it safety for your kids doesn't stop with our policies.

Who are we?

KICKgen team is group of committed martial artists who want to connect martial artist internationally and promote the sport. The founders of KICKgen are parents who want a safe place for our children as well as yours. All kids born in the 90s or later are digital because they were born after the Internet was created; connecting digitally is natural to them. In addition, they don't have the same attitudes about careful boundaries that adults have and it is our goal to make this site extremely safe for kids.

Let's discuss Internet usage among children...

Ask any teenager what Facebook is or if they "text" using their cell phone. You will get a vacant look and the typical response... "duhhh." Of course, most teenagers are online, but don't think this is our business as parents. Wrong!! Safety for children is paramount today, but it is possible.

Here a few stats ...take a look

Internet Usage among children according to BBC News, May 2007

• 52% of children 11-16 log on to social networking sites such as MySpace or Bebo once per day.

• 50.4% of 2,053 children had experienced problems such as bullying, being threatened or sexually harassed while online.

• 60% of children used the websites to help combat loneliness, while 53% used them to share their problems.

There's more...

Teen Checkup reports on teenage activities online, September 2008

• 73% of teens own their own computer; 63% own a cell phone; 41% a web cam; 86% an MP3 player. vOn the Internet, the top five daily activities - and they are done in almost equal amounts - are: e-mail, instant messaging, music, social networking sites and work On average, kids spend close to three hours a day on the Internet. 80% of them use social networking sites and share a lot of personal information but they still feel safe; 37 percent of them have 200 or more friends on their social networking site.

• Go online and check out each site before your child joins
• Contact site management or admin and find out their policies regarding children. If they ignore you - don't allow your child to use the site! Block it so that your children can't access it. (By way, we welcome your emails: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
• Make sure your children know to NEVER give any personal information including...usernames, passwords, and cell phone number
• Make any photos and videos that show your child's face private
• Keep a copy of your child's user name and password - log-into their account frequently. They won't be crazy about that but you need to know what is going on. (by the way, there are numerous, smart parents who do that on KICKgen)
• Even better - create an account for yourself and become an active member of the community that your child is a part of
• Set parental controls on all computers in your house
• Set controls for texting on your child's phone that give you're the approval rights for all numbers that are allowed to text your child. Usually this is done online on your cellular phone provider's website
• Emphasize online courtesy, respect, and honor at all times from your child

What are issues today on the Internet?

Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying and Sexual harassment, and those horrifying child pornography rings.Here is a great description of Cyberbullyin from Stopcyberbullying.org

"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying.


Sexual harassment on the other hand is...

"When adult are trying to lure children into offline meetings, that is called sexual exploitation or luring by a sexual predator. But sometimes when a minor starts a cyberbullying campaign it involves sexual predators who are intrigued by the sexual harassment or even ads posted by the cyberbullying offering up the victim for sex."


There is good news though. Children are becoming much more aware of the dangers and are learning how to protect themselves especially on social networking sites. Predators are learning that social networking sites are one of the hardest ways to manipulate victims. That doesn't mean you should lower your guard or allow your child to run free through social networks. In fact here are some tips to implement safety for your child.

Okay so what else can you do?

First, check out KICKgen thoroughly and join with your child. If you would like some parent references, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We're more than happy to help you. Next, it isn't easy, but encourage your child to get off social networking sites that you can't monitor. Lastly, join our group for parents. It is called KICKgen parent's corner. This is group for parents to share with each other and ask KICKgen questions. And guess what - it is private for parents only. Seach groups > find KICKgen parents corner and apply to join.

Some of our favorite child safety sites:

Cyber Angels
http://www.cyberangels.org/

I-Safe, the leader in e-safety education
http://www.isafe.org/

GetNetWise
http://www.getnetwise.org/

Webwise Kids
http://www.webwisekids.org/

Stop Cyber Bullying
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

The Family Online Safety Institute
http://www.icra.org/parents/

Wired Safety
http://www.wiredsafety.org/index.html

Cyberbullying Research
http://www.cyberbullying.us/

Cyberbullying - Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying

The Internet Watch Foundation
http://www.iwf.org.uk/

 

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
1-866-660-4707

Written by :

kgadmin