MOMO Challenge - I'm sure by now you have heard of the MOMO challenge or simply known as MOMO. There are other reports now that are suggesting the momo challenge is a hoax, similar to the tide pod challenge that made it across the net.
I know from various news articles many children did come across momo videos, maybe not the exact way as reported, but yes kids have come across them. The video themselves are real and they are disturbing, and they suggest the children do self-harm and other things.
One thing that struck me in several of the news videos and articles I came across is how many parents were announcing the household rules regarding how and when the child can access the internet is changing. One news video had a child about 6-9 years old, who came across momo videos and had to start going to counseling (because of the videos), new house rule is no more youtube unless mom or dad is watching with me.
All I could do is think: Why wasn't the parent watching with a child that young anyways? Sure I have been on various social media, forums for the last 20 years, and blogging since 2008. My kids now nearly 17/18 have had tablets since they were about 10 -- but I can tell you it wasn't free range or not monitored.
We have always had some kind of filtering on our computer. Open DNS and when the kids were younger we paired it with various other filters but settled on K9. Our kids' tablets are wifi only tablets. Where they require wifi to access the internet, which means they were on our network only and thus the internet was being filtered by Open DNS.
My kids didn't even have smartphones until 6 months ago. They still have tracfones, but were upgraded to smartphones 6 months ago, this is the first time they have been given access to the internet without any kind of filtering -- seeing they can access via the cell phone network, but they do not use it much because they have a very limited data. Both only use it to really access emails on the go. And that upgrade only came about because one child's phone broke and I could not replace it with what they had. The replacment would have been a bit of a downgrade and I didn't want to do that.
Even though we have always used filters of some short, I have never given my kids free range. When they were younger the computer was always in the kitchen or living room. They mostly got on to access a certain game (we had loaded on the machine) or certain online game and I or my husband went the website and login them in etc.
I could never imagine just handing a toddler, preschooler, early elementary age child and allowing them to just surf the web for various videos or just scroll YouTube, even with what should be "kid safe" search engine.
Even when the kids got the tablets they were able to surf and search more, but I was monitoring what they were doing if not by looking at their device, by logging into the Google account we set up for those tablets via the computer and looking at the search history, what apps they were downloading, etc. Although all apps downloaded had to be approved by us first -- so if I got on and saw an app I didn't approve they got their device taken away! The kids knew we were checking in and often checked in so we rarely had to do discipline. They asked us when they wanted a new app, they came and told us when they saw something weird or uncomfortable.
The only time I can think of when I had to discipline one, harshly, and take away all devices and internet access was when my son got on my computer and saw I had left my facebook account open. He decided to PM my mom with some gifs. The gifs he was picking were harmless, but here I am in the living room and my phone goes off with a notification I can see quickly my account has been "hacked" or something it glitching. Long story short I was getting flustered and vocal, telling my husband my account is hacked, something is wrong, messaging FB to say something is broken, and my daughter notices that my son is laughing --so she looks and sees that it has been him all this time. I immediately took all of my son's devices and told him 1 week without. I also explained to him how that is not good, etc. Sure it's partly my fault for leaving my account open on my computer, but just because my account was open doesn't mean he had that right. And if it was just one or two gifs or messages to my mom I may have laughed it off, but he kept sending it and must have sent it at least 100 times.
Anyway, I just don't understand why parents are giving their kids free range on the internet and allowing them to freely search for videos or another medium with no regards to their safety. Even so-called filters nothing is fooled prove. All filters, paid and free, require parents to be still pro-active and present and fully aware of their kids' activities.
I often tell people that filters are like screens with a hole in it. Having the screen is better than no screen, but because of the hole things still, get in. For at least a decade now law officials, doctors, counselors, and others have been telling parents to monitor their children's internet activities. They publish guidelines like:
1. use the device in the public place of the house
2. teach them not to chat with strangers
3. monitor what they are doing
4. use filters
I don't know what has changed? I don't know if people, in general, feel that filters have gotten better? Or if the kid is accessing youtube via youtube kids they don't have to monitor? Or is it because kids younger are getting devices of their own and with apps targeted for younger and younger groups we just think it's okay? After all, there is now "kid safe" tablets or other kids tablets which 10 years ago when my kids got their first tablets there wasn't really any of that. Well there was but the selection was limited and the prices were crazy expensive, but not there are more options and the prices are dropping. Now you can get tablets marketed as kids tablets with kid-friendly cases starting at $60 where when my kids were younger those tablets where easily $200 or more.
I read one article that said that part of the problem is the kids, today, are growing up in it, and parents have not -- so parents are behind the curve on it. Well, I guess I would feel that is true for my folks and grandparents generation, but these parents are my peers so I have a hard time believing that.
Sure internet, especially as we know it now, wasn't really happening until I was in high school, but still, that is old enough to understand the "dangers" out there -- after all if anything you were accessing the internet in the "wild west days". Therefore I feel like that's not a good reason for it either. I would think that would make parents even more concern and cautious, not the opposite.
Bottom Line: No filter is going to protect your children. Filters help, kids safe searches help, other tools help, but at the end of the day, you still have to parent and be proactive. You still have to monitor what your child is doing. You are still going to have to talk to them. Check in with them. Have open communications. Discipline when necessary. Set up new rules and adjust filters when necessary. Oh, and when disciplining: discipline when it comes to deliberate things, like my son did, not when they accidentally come across something....
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Where is the Church heading?
In my dioceses 5 local Catholic Schools are consolidating. This means starting the 2019-2020 school year all 5 schools are technically closing. One of the schools will "re-open" as a new school, new name, new staff, and the parishes that supported the 5 old schools plus 2 or 3 other parishes that never had a school will support the new school. This mainly has to do with a decline in enrollment in all the schools over the years. When a school as only 5-10 students per class they can't stay open. -- not with the cost salaries, maintenance, and other fees associated with running a school. It really is not feasible. -- talking with others this is happening in other dioceses too. It's not just mine.
There are a few things that come to mind; why this is the case:
1) Curriculum. I have been saying for years now, at least 11 years, that the curriculum is not Catholic! When the books are the exact same books used in public schools and the only thing Catholic about the school week is the religion class that is done 2-3 times a week, daily Mass once a week, and the artwork on the walls it's not enough! Artwork, Religion class a couple hours a week and 1 - 45 minute Mass is not enough of a Catholic identity. I think parents even became more aware of this when Come Core Standards came on to the scene and they realized the schools were using the same materials!
2) Push for more traditional. I have found more and more of my peers, who are active and consider themselves devoted Catholics are wanting more and more traditional. They are adhering to traditions such as meatless Fridays ALL Fridays of the year, they are wearing mantillas to Mass (even at a Novus Ordo Mass), family altars in their homes, family devotions, regular prayer times, etc. They more than anyone recognize the schools are often only "catholic" by name and that's not enough for them. Even my non-Catholic friends can see it and say things like "if they would make the school's distinctively Catholic with curriculum and go back to using nuns and priest as teachers" enrollment would blossom and bloom. -- that's just it people if they are going to shell out thousands of dollars what a distinctive Catholic school -- being Catholic in name is no good! These friends are either homeschooling so they know their kids are getting a Catholic Education or they are sending their kids to public school because they can not justify the cost of a private school that is using the same materials, teaching the same things, etc
3) I'm not naive I also know the church is in upheaval because of the abuse cases and stories of decades of cover-up. I know this has caused many to walk away. I'm sure some of the recent declines in schools has to do with that too. I know Mass attendance being light is a result of those things; so it would not surprise me that some of the school's decline is because of the scandals as well.
Where does the Church and schools go from here?
I think the Church needs to do some cleaning up! Many Bishops recognized this and have been vocal about that, and for that I'm thankful. I think the Church needs to embrace strong older Catholic roots and go back to the basics. I think going back to basics is good! With all of this and with many striving for more traditional Catholicism, it's beginning to see how poorly catechized many older Catholics are -- and with that there is a draw to more family-style catechizes which I think is great. The church needs that!
I'm just afraid that while parishes try that they are going to have a low turn out, at first, and may not make it through the transition period or feel like it's a failure before it is even given a fair shot at working. My parish has decided to come next school year the Religious Education program will be more of a family-style program. As a volunteer for the program I'm excited about the possibilities, but also know that as much as I talked about devoted Catholics wanting this and that -- the devoted Catholics just like with the schools are not utilizing the Religious Education program. Most of the parents that do the religious education program are nominal Catholics, that do not go to Mass and just send their kids to Religious Education classes because that's what you do!
Seeing that is the dominant make up our religious education program, even though numbers are low now, I foresee them getting lower with the family style program. Family style means the parent has to have a vested interest and attend too; it's not as simple as dropping your kid off for 45 minutes and coming back to pick them up. So there will be this transition period where nominal Catholics are going to realize just dropping off it's not enough and families wanting more family learning and family devotions are going to have realized that's being offered. So there will be this transition period and I'm afraid that the Church isn't going to make it or declare the family style catechizes a failure before it had a fighting chance. Also, the curriculum is going to matter. I have not heard or seen what the Church plans on using next year for curriculum, but I know if it's not authentic enough, deep enough (not too deep because many are clueless) and Catholic enough it won't work.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
There are a few things that come to mind; why this is the case:
1) Curriculum. I have been saying for years now, at least 11 years, that the curriculum is not Catholic! When the books are the exact same books used in public schools and the only thing Catholic about the school week is the religion class that is done 2-3 times a week, daily Mass once a week, and the artwork on the walls it's not enough! Artwork, Religion class a couple hours a week and 1 - 45 minute Mass is not enough of a Catholic identity. I think parents even became more aware of this when Come Core Standards came on to the scene and they realized the schools were using the same materials!
2) Push for more traditional. I have found more and more of my peers, who are active and consider themselves devoted Catholics are wanting more and more traditional. They are adhering to traditions such as meatless Fridays ALL Fridays of the year, they are wearing mantillas to Mass (even at a Novus Ordo Mass), family altars in their homes, family devotions, regular prayer times, etc. They more than anyone recognize the schools are often only "catholic" by name and that's not enough for them. Even my non-Catholic friends can see it and say things like "if they would make the school's distinctively Catholic with curriculum and go back to using nuns and priest as teachers" enrollment would blossom and bloom. -- that's just it people if they are going to shell out thousands of dollars what a distinctive Catholic school -- being Catholic in name is no good! These friends are either homeschooling so they know their kids are getting a Catholic Education or they are sending their kids to public school because they can not justify the cost of a private school that is using the same materials, teaching the same things, etc
3) I'm not naive I also know the church is in upheaval because of the abuse cases and stories of decades of cover-up. I know this has caused many to walk away. I'm sure some of the recent declines in schools has to do with that too. I know Mass attendance being light is a result of those things; so it would not surprise me that some of the school's decline is because of the scandals as well.
Where does the Church and schools go from here?
I think the Church needs to do some cleaning up! Many Bishops recognized this and have been vocal about that, and for that I'm thankful. I think the Church needs to embrace strong older Catholic roots and go back to the basics. I think going back to basics is good! With all of this and with many striving for more traditional Catholicism, it's beginning to see how poorly catechized many older Catholics are -- and with that there is a draw to more family-style catechizes which I think is great. The church needs that!
I'm just afraid that while parishes try that they are going to have a low turn out, at first, and may not make it through the transition period or feel like it's a failure before it is even given a fair shot at working. My parish has decided to come next school year the Religious Education program will be more of a family-style program. As a volunteer for the program I'm excited about the possibilities, but also know that as much as I talked about devoted Catholics wanting this and that -- the devoted Catholics just like with the schools are not utilizing the Religious Education program. Most of the parents that do the religious education program are nominal Catholics, that do not go to Mass and just send their kids to Religious Education classes because that's what you do!
Seeing that is the dominant make up our religious education program, even though numbers are low now, I foresee them getting lower with the family style program. Family style means the parent has to have a vested interest and attend too; it's not as simple as dropping your kid off for 45 minutes and coming back to pick them up. So there will be this transition period where nominal Catholics are going to realize just dropping off it's not enough and families wanting more family learning and family devotions are going to have realized that's being offered. So there will be this transition period and I'm afraid that the Church isn't going to make it or declare the family style catechizes a failure before it had a fighting chance. Also, the curriculum is going to matter. I have not heard or seen what the Church plans on using next year for curriculum, but I know if it's not authentic enough, deep enough (not too deep because many are clueless) and Catholic enough it won't work.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Illinois HB 3560
I know this post is "late to the game" so to speak and that current word is to just wait and see and hopefully we will know early this coming week if the sponsor is true to her word and will table the bill.
I have not had time to formulate a blog post until now so this will be more of a recap in case you haven't been out of the loop. Late last night I did get word about bill HB 3560 and did make a quick post on my facebook page:
I woke up this morning to a whirlwind of posts and notifications. I spent several hours going over them and updating myself and spreading the word on what was going on -- plus you know those normal mom duties: house cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.
As of now, the time of this post, the bill sponsor has promised to table the bill when she goes back to work later this coming week.
This will most likely come Tuesday, perhaps as late as Wednesday seeing it's the holiday weekend: Presidents' Day. So we have to wait and see if she will be true to her words.
So what is HB 3560? What is the cause for concern?
The synopsis as written on the Illinois General Assembly page:
It was unclear if registration would become mandatory with this bill, but it was very clear once registered homeschoolers would have to submit to home inspections carried out by DCFS/CPS and have to to have some kind of portfolio academic review with the school board. -- which would make record keeping mandatory too.
I keep records for MYSELF and I have no issue with keeping records in general, I think I should not have to submit those records to the state. It's not the state's business. My records for elementary/middle school is light -- I don't have anything official for those grades, but I have always blogged in some fashion for the years, mostly, so I have blog posts, pictures, and other some other things I have kept. So I always felt if needed, in a court of law, I would be okay. Now with high school, because I'm looking to do transcripts I have more complete records. However, that is all for myself and the transcripts would be given to those that need it based on my child's post-secondary education plans.
Putting the whole registration and record keeping to the side, the fact that a legislator thought to circumvent people's 4th amendment rights was a good thing is alarming! The 4th amendment is to protect you from searches without just cause. Homeschooling in and of itself is not reason enough to subject a family to home inspections and searches. As my friend Tina, Homeschool Resource Roadmap, said on my personal facebook profile subjecting families to CPS investigations and home inspections just because they homeschool is like saying we found a meth lab at this house and they own a white Toyota truck so everyone who owns a white Toyota trucks will have their homes searched for drugs.
If HB 3560 is tabled it will be tabled very early on in the process. Which is a good thing, the sooner the bill is squashed, especially when you don't support it, the better. Historically it seems bills are easier to squash when they are in the early process and within Illinois' First House vs when they make it to the Second House. This diagram shows how bills are passed in Illinois.
While the call from the advocacy groups is to keep a watchful eye, hang tight, and no need to contact your representative. I just want to end by saying if you feel convicted to contact your representatives about this OR any issue you should. You should contact your representative anytime there is any measure you oppose or support is being introduced. You should fill out witness slips when they become available if you state has witness slips for a way for you to officially record your position.
When you contact your representative be polite!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
I have not had time to formulate a blog post until now so this will be more of a recap in case you haven't been out of the loop. Late last night I did get word about bill HB 3560 and did make a quick post on my facebook page:
As of now, the time of this post, the bill sponsor has promised to table the bill when she goes back to work later this coming week.
So what is HB 3560? What is the cause for concern?
The synopsis as written on the Illinois General Assembly page:
Currently, Illinois has no mandatory registration, no letter of intent, no standardized testing. Homeschoolers submit absolutely nothing to the state or local school boards. Bill HB 3560 if passed and allow to proceed would radically change the homeschool landscape and turn Illinois from a low regulated state to a highly regulated state overnight! Just like that!Amends the School Code. Provides that, after a home-schooling registration form is submitted, the State Board of Education must request a Child Protective Service Unit of the Department of Children and Family Services to investigate the home in which the home schooling will occur to ensure there is no suspected child abuse or neglect in the home. Provides that after the investigation by the Child Protective Service Unit is complete, the State Board must notify the school district in which the home is located that the child is being home-schooled. Provides that once every 2 school years, the State Board must inspect the academic records of a registered home-school student. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to require a Child Protective Service Unit to investigate the home of a child upon a request from the State Board. Effective immediately.
It was unclear if registration would become mandatory with this bill, but it was very clear once registered homeschoolers would have to submit to home inspections carried out by DCFS/CPS and have to to have some kind of portfolio academic review with the school board. -- which would make record keeping mandatory too.
Putting the whole registration and record keeping to the side, the fact that a legislator thought to circumvent people's 4th amendment rights was a good thing is alarming! The 4th amendment is to protect you from searches without just cause. Homeschooling in and of itself is not reason enough to subject a family to home inspections and searches. As my friend Tina, Homeschool Resource Roadmap, said on my personal facebook profile subjecting families to CPS investigations and home inspections just because they homeschool is like saying we found a meth lab at this house and they own a white Toyota truck so everyone who owns a white Toyota trucks will have their homes searched for drugs.
If HB 3560 is tabled it will be tabled very early on in the process. Which is a good thing, the sooner the bill is squashed, especially when you don't support it, the better. Historically it seems bills are easier to squash when they are in the early process and within Illinois' First House vs when they make it to the Second House. This diagram shows how bills are passed in Illinois.
The "we are here" written on this diagram shows where Illinois HB 3560 shows where in the process the bill was/is at:
While the call from the advocacy groups is to keep a watchful eye, hang tight, and no need to contact your representative. I just want to end by saying if you feel convicted to contact your representatives about this OR any issue you should. You should contact your representative anytime there is any measure you oppose or support is being introduced. You should fill out witness slips when they become available if you state has witness slips for a way for you to officially record your position.
When you contact your representative be polite!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase something. See our full disclosure policy for more details.
Monday, December 31, 2018
The Flu!
Being sick these days doesn't mean much other than I'm sick and things, like my rubber spatula, might end up being melted?
 |
| Hubby was making grill cheese! |
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Art Pieces To Study
Many homeschoolers like to do art studies and with means perhaps acquiring prints to use for those studies. Many copyright conscious homeschoolers will not just go to google to print out images. They don't do that because they want to honor copyrights. Plus many are also bloggers and look for ways to acquire images for their blogs.
Well, today I learned that the Art Institute of Chicago has released over 50,000 images of many artworks and pieces to the public domain and have assigned them the CC0 public domain designation. This designation means those images can be used for commercial and non-commercial reasons for free with no additional permission from the museum. They do have some rules to follow, but if you are familiar with creative commons it seems to be the typical rules.
Images such as these:
Well, today I learned that the Art Institute of Chicago has released over 50,000 images of many artworks and pieces to the public domain and have assigned them the CC0 public domain designation. This designation means those images can be used for commercial and non-commercial reasons for free with no additional permission from the museum. They do have some rules to follow, but if you are familiar with creative commons it seems to be the typical rules.
Images such as these:
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Weddings, License, Officiant
So about a week ago on Facebook, I made a post about the low numbers of weddings at my church over the last year.
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