WebWiseKids Blog : judi westberg warren

Five Technology Skills Every Student Should Learn

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:11:00 GMT

eSchoolNews recently wrote an article about the top five technology skills every student should learn, and we couldnвЂ™t agree more with what they said!

In the article, eSchoolNews talks about crucial technology skills kids should know: Online literacy, critical thinking, the science behind technology, adaptability and courage.

Web Wise Kids' games embodies all of these themes-- we strive to educate kids about technology so that they can be smart about their decisions every day. Technology is an ever growing force in in today's society, and we can't stop it, but what we can do is teach our kids how to properly harness technology in ways that are more productive and beneficial to their lives.

We're so happy that eSchoolNews recognizes these skills that every student should learn, because we agree that they are crucial in the development of our children in this day and age. We hope to continue to create games and programs that will serve the next generation as tools for growth and success.

Get Involved with Web Wise Kids!

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:22:00 GMT

Games are one of the number ways to get education across in the classroom, and Web Wise Kids is proud to produce programs and games that help teach and educate kids who to be safe online in this ever-evolving technological world. To continue making games, we rely heavily on the support of the community and of companies who believe in our mission.

Watch our president, Judi Westberg-Warren, talk more about how companies and supporters can get involved with Web Wise Kids.

Thank You To Our Sponsors!!

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Mon, 28 May 2012 20:40:00 GMT

With our BeSeen app gaining a lot of attention during the last several weeks-- especially since we launched an ad in USA Today-- we'd like to take a moment to thank our sponsors--CTIA Wireless Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University, Verizon Foundation-- without whom BeSeen would have never been possible.

If you are new to Web Wise Kids or BeSeen, hereвЂ™s more about the game:

BeSeen was created by Carnegie Mellon University and Web Wise Kids to teach youth how to be responsible in social networks by securing their private and personal information, protecting their online reputation and defending their peers.

This online safety mobile application is a single-player game that simulates a social networking website. The player creates a profile and starts earning вЂњfriendвЂќ characters and interacting with them. They learn about others through their posts and help them through challenges in order to win awards and make new friends.

In BeSeen, the ultimate quest is to make friends. At first, that is a matter of getting involved in school activities, but as more friends join a social circle, they bring their problems with them. To keep friends and make more, itвЂ™s important not only to be involved but also to be a good friend.

You can learn more about BeSeen or download the free lesson materials on the Web Wise Kids website. Watch our video thanking our sponsors here!

BeSeen FAQs

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:18:00 GMT

BeSeen is our mobile phone app we created in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. The game is designed to be played on a mobile phone and simulates a social network. It was designed to teach kids how to be responsible on social networks like Facebook, by securing their private and personal information, protecting their online reputation, and defending their peers.

BeSeen was made possible by support from Trend Micro, CTIA The Wireless Foundation, and The Verizon Foundation.

Why Was BeSeen Created?

As many as 7.5 million Facebook users in the U.S. are under age 13 - a violation of Facebook's user policies - according to a new study by Consumer Reports, as reported by Ad Age.

BeSeen was created to combat some alarming statistics about kidsвЂ™ behavior on social networks:

55% of teens have given out personal info to someone they donвЂ™t know, including photos and physical descriptions.

29% of teens have posted mean info, embarrassing photos or spread rumors about someone.

29% have been stalked or contacted by someone they donвЂ™t know.

24% have had private or embarrassing info made public without their permission

22% have been cyberpranked

56% of teens say they have been the target of some type of online harassment

15% percent of the young people surveyed say they have sent nude photos or videos of themselves

21% say they've received nude photos or videos from others. About half of those involved say they felt pressured to do so BeSeen teaches kids to behave responsibly on social networks, and to guard their personal information and images.

You can find more statistics about kidsвЂ™ behavior on cell phones and online here.

What is the Game About?

This online safety mobile application is a single-player game that simulates a social networking website. The player creates a profile and starts earning "friend" characters and interacting with them. They learn about others through their posts and help them through challenges in order to win awards and make new friends.

In BeSeen, the ultimate quest is to make friends. At first, that is a matter of getting involved in school activities, but as more friends join a social circle, they bring their problems with them. To keep friends and make more, itвЂ™s important not only to be involved but also to be a good friend.

Where Can I Find BeSeen?

BeSeen is a free mobile app, available for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play (formerly the Android Marketplace). You can find more information about the game, including support documents and instructional materials here.

How much Does the App Cost?

BeSeen is available for free. It's easily downloaded in both the Apple App Store and Google Play (formerly the Android Marketplace). We also offer free handouts, instructional videos and companion materials to be used in classrooms or at home.

What Platforms Can I Play BeSeen On?

BeSeen is available for both the iPhone, and Android smartphones. It is not yet available for laptops or tablets.

I'm a Teacher; Can I Use the App in my Classroom?

Absolutely! BeSeen is a fun and engaging learning tool to teach your students about social networking. We have created an entire set of classroom resources around the BeSeen App, to help you use it effectively in your classroom. You can download the materials for free here.

Also, if you are interested in having a Web Wise Kids staff member facilitate the BeSeen Program in your classroom, we can make arrangements for the program to be led either in person, or over Skype. For information on facilitation, please email Rommel Anacan at [email protected]

I'm a Parent; Can I Use the App at Home?

Sometimes, parents are unsure about whether to allow their kids on social networks. BeSeen can be a great way to teach your kids how to navigate social networks safely, and to achieve peace of mind as a parent. Our free BeSeen classroom materials can easily be adapted for use at home, or, simply download the free app and let your kids play.

Are There Any Instructional Videos That Might Help Me Understand the App?

We have several videos available that will walk you through the BeSeen game. There are also printed materials that can help you understand what players are learning as they navigate the game. You can find all of these resources here.

Where Can I Go For More Information?

For more information on BeSeen, visit our website. You can also download our free Program Resources to learn more about the BeSeen App. If you would like to learn more about the other educational video games that we offer, you can do that here.

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on all our news, and the latest educational programs weвЂ™re rolling out.

And, to contact us, please email [email protected].

What If I have a Question That IsnвЂ™t Addressed Here?

You can always reach us by email at [email protected].

Or, call us at (866) WEB-WISE or 714-435-2885. We would love to hear from you!

Teen Bullying Suicide Pushes Newspaper to Take a Stand

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:32:00 GMT

A teen in Iowa, 14 year old Kenneth Weishuhn Jr., committed suicide because of bullying, and a newspaper is now taking a stand. Shaken by WeishuhnвЂ™s death, The Sioux City Journal dedicated its entire front page of its Sunday edition paper to an editorial rallying the city against bullying. Full front page editorials are rare, but the Sioux City Journal felt that it was the only way to address the enormity of the situation in order to garner the attention of its readers.

I certainly commend the Sioux City Journal for devoting their front page to discourage bullying. It is hard to believe that yet another young person has taken their life due to bullying. When are we going to realize as a society that bullying another person physically or emotionally causes irreparable damage? We must continue to educate the public, parents and children that bullying is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Thank you Sioux City Journal for taking this public stand.

One of the ways WWK combats bullying is through our educational games, like our free mobile app, BeSeen. Learn more about BeSeen--and how it can teach our children to combat cyberbullying--here .

Web Wise Kids is a 2012 Design, Art and Technology Awards Finalist!

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:07:00 GMT

The Pittsburg Technology Council has nominated Web Wise KidsвЂ™ BeSeen app in their upcoming awards ceremony of the year.

The annual DATA (Design, Art, and Technology Awards) ceremony, which celebrates the best design, art and technology inventions in the nation, is split into seven categories: Innovation: The Changemakers, Maker: Design & Making, Joystick: Games & Applications, i-Con: Communications and Information Sharing, Media Arts: The Intersection of Art and Technology, Community: Art + Tech for our People and Places, and Next Generation: Kids & Creative Technology. Web Wise KidsвЂ™ BeSeen app will be entered in the Next Generation: Kids & Creative Technology category.

We are so excited that BeSeen is continuing to receive recognition in our communities and helping to spread awareness to help teach our youth to be safer online. We are honored to have been selected as a finalist in the DATA Awards, and we forward to meeting all of the other finalists and learning about their innovative and creative projects.

The Design, Art and Technology Awards (DATA), known as PittsburgвЂ™s biggest creative tech party of the year, will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the Grand Hall (614 Pressley Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212).

BeSeen to Launch in USA Today

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:16:00 GMT

Watch our president, Judi Westberg Warren, talk about our upcoming BeSeen app launch in USA Today.

Click here to watch

Anti-Bullying Documentary Receives PG-13 Rating

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:26:00 GMT

вЂњBullyвЂќ, a new documentary about bullied children and teens in the US, now bears a new PG-13 rating following much controversy. The documentary, aimed to raise awareness about the pervasive bullying epidemic, was initially branded with an R rating due to expletiveusage and profanity. However, many believed the restricted rating would cause вЂњBullyвЂќ to miss its prime target audienceвЂ”youth aged 17 and under. The controversy sparked debate and protests across the nation, launching a viral petition that drew almost 500,000 signatures and garnered the attention and support of celebrities such as Johnny Depp and Ellen DeGeneres. After minor edits to the movie, the MPAA ultimately reversed the rating of вЂњBullyвЂќ and changed it to PG-13. вЂњBullyвЂќ is open in select theatres now, and will open nationwide on April 13.

Web Wise Kids Speaks on the Criminalization of School Bullies

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:17:00 GMT

вЂњWe need to treat children as children,вЂќ says Web Wise Kids' President, Judi Westberg Warren. Warren believes that bullying should not be a criminal offense, and shared her stance at the Northeastern University School of Law symposium on March 30 titled: вЂњShould School Bullies Face Criminal Punishment?вЂќ The symposium featured a full-day schedule of panels discussing the legal implications of school bullying.

Warren says that although it is understandable why the public seeks to exact harsh punishments on bullies who have caused psychological damage, harm and even death to others, school bullies are still children and have a limited capacity of understanding the repercussions of their actions. Instead, Warren believes that these children need to be rehabilitated. To watch Judi further discuss this topic, please click here

Web Wise Kids works to educate kids, parents, teachers, educators and the community on the values of making safe and wise choices in a technologically evolving world. We create specialized games that help youth actively learn about the dangers and consequences that can result from the misuse of technology and the Internet. Additionally, Web Wise Kids provides training and extra support material to help parents, teachers and educators successfully facilitate the games for their children and students.

Have you seen our latest game? BeSeen is a phone app game that simulates a social networking site for a high school where players create profiles and travel through a condensed school year, navigating through challenging social situations and puzzles along the way. The game is designed to help kids understand responsible online behavior such as securing their personal information, protecting their privacy and defending their peers against bullying. The BeSeen app is available on both iPhone and Android platforms.

Check out our program for parents and teachers to use BeSeen with their kids.

Should School Bullies Face Criminal Punishment?

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:17:00 GMT

Web Wise Kids CEO Joins March 30 Northeastern University Law School Panel

Santa Ana, CA вЂ“ Judi Westberg Warren believes that bullying should not be classified as a criminal offense. Surprising since she has spent the last 20 years fighting bullying as the President/CEO of Web Wise Kids. Warren was selected to speak on a panel of experts to be held on Friday, March 30 at Northeastern University Law School. The symposium, called вЂњPushed Too Far: The Evolving Legal Implications Of School BullyingвЂќ, features a significant number of experts in the legal profession.

вЂњThis is a great opportunity for us to share our view of this issue with such a prestigious group of legal expertsвЂќ said Web Wise Kids President and CEO Judi Westberg Warren. вЂњI look forward to a provocative and engaging discussion on this important issueвЂќ.

The panel is titled: вЂњShould School Bullies Face Criminal Punishment?вЂќ and will be part of a full day schedule on the legal implications of school bullying.

Additional panels will include topics like вЂњHazing in Higher EducationвЂќ and вЂњCyberbullying and the First AmendmentвЂќ. The day will include keynote presentations from David Sullivan, District Attorney for the Northwestern District of Massachusetts and Gary Mayerson, lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the recent case of TK v. New York City Department of Education.

вЂњThe Web Wise Kids mission is to teach kids, parents and the community the value of making safe and wise choices in a technologically evolving world,вЂќ said Warren. вЂњAnd I look forward to contributing my voice on this topic with the legal communityвЂќ.

To learn more about WarrenвЂ™s stance on the legal implications of school bullying, click this link to watch a short video: http://youtu.be/1ESfPeM9SEQ

About Web Wise Kids:

Web Wise Kids (http://webwisekids.org) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Southern California with satellite offices in the Northwest and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to empower todayвЂ™s youth to make wise choices online. Since 2000, Web Wise Kids has been a leader in preventing online child victimization by providing innovative and effective tools to assist young people to flourish in a world of media and technology. Web Wise Kids is honored to be a part of the Federal governmentвЂ™s Project Safe Childhood initiative. Trend Micro, CTIA/The Wireless Foundation and the Verizon Wireless Foundation are trusted supporters of Web Wise Kids.