Posted by admin on July 17th, 2009 in Internet Use, Parenting, Technology, Teen Age Girls

The Girls Scouts are getting with it.  Along with Microsoft, they’ve recently launched a  new initiative to help parents keep kids safe online, called LMK.  LMK is actually two separate websites: one for parents and one for teens. When parents visit they can sign up for the e-newsletter written and developed especially for them by a team of “LMK Teen Editors” who write about the ways teens use technology and attempt to help parents understand it all.  Parents will have the chance to learn need-to-know skills to keep them up to speed with what their kids are doing online too.  There’s even an area where expert advice is  offered to give guidance on tougher issues.  The teens have their own site that explores many of the subjects I write about: cyber-bullying, sexting, texting, laptop usage etc.

My daughter was a Girl Scout when she was in elementary school and even attended Scout camp in Texas (boy, was it hot!) I remember even way back then, the Girl Scouts had a computer skills class they made available to girls who did not have access to a computer at home.  The program was limited in scope( at the time ) but was right on the money in terms of emphasis and focus.

I’m glad to see this new project (good for you Microsoft) coming from a well-established organization such as the Girl Scouts.  Sometimes the same information imparted by a different source can reach a teen (or parent).  I’m also impressed they’ve recruited Parry Aftab to give advice on their site.  She  is one of the leading experts, worldwide, on cybercrime, Internet privacy and cyber-abuse issues.  She’s all over the media and much in demand for her up-to-the-minute legal perspective on the newest technologies and their uses.  She’s also a pit bull about cyber-bullying.  Gotta love that.

Other than checking out the sites, you might want to sign up for their newsletter. Even if you don’t have a daughter and have never been nor want to be a Girl Scout – this is good information.  And, if they do a good job of keeping it up to date, it could be an easy way to keep current on problems, trends and helpful hints for managing your kid’s technology use.  I’ve signed up and will keep my eye on it.  It is a full-time job keeping up with technology use by teens.  With Microsoft behind them, I’m hoping they will become a strong resource for parents.  Check it out and let me know what you think.