High-Tech Cheating

Cheating is a serious problem that strikes at the core of a child's academic success and character development. According to a recent study by our friends at Common Sense Media, kids today are using a new tool to cheat: cell phones.

The study finds that more than a third of teens with cell phones admit to storing information on them to use during a test or texting friends about answers. This is a big deal considering the pervasiveness of cell phones: More than two-thirds of teenagers in this country own a cell phone, according to US Cellular, and most 8- to 12-year-olds will own a cell phone in the next three years, says a report by the Yankee Group.

That kids cheat is not news. The real eye opener is two points made in the Common Sense study:

1. Parents don’t think their kids are cheating. While most parents are well aware of cell phone cheating (76% say that it happens at school), they don't believe their kids are doing it (only 3% say their child has ever cheated with a cell phone).
2. Children don’t think cheating is wrong. Nearly one in four kids thinks accessing notes on a cell phone or texting friends with answers during a test is acceptable.

So not only are parents in la-la land about whether their children are cheating, but also kids are failing to distinguish right from wrong. Yikes.

Is this the latest manifestation of the so-called Napster generation, which assumes that everything should be free and fully accessible? Or is it simply an example of teaching a young pup new tricks?

The answers to these questions matter less than how parents and teachers respond to this disturbing trend. As James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, stated, “The call to action is clear: Parents and educators have to be aware of how kids are using technology to cheat and then help our kids understand that the consequences for online cheating are just as serious as offline cheating.”

We couldn't agree more. Parents play a vital role in showing children right from wrong and teaching them character traits that will last a lifetime.

Buying your child a cell phone provides a teachable moment, an opportunity to stress the wrongness of cheating and the value of learning. We encourage you to look at Common Sense Media's recommendations for parents.

How are you talking to your kids about cheating? We want to know.

On Facebook

Hello there, involved parents! GreatSchools is now on Facebook. Our goal is to enable parents to connect with each other wherever they are on the web. With our new Facebook page, you’ll find even more GreatSchools community, more discussions and more interactivity with quizzes and polls. 

This week we’re featuring a quiz that tests your knowledge of the state of education (go ahead, see if you can stump your friends) and a ‘voice of the parent’ poll that asks whether preschool graduation should be celebrated.

But today’s post isn’t just a shameless plug. It’s a call to all parents to understand what’s happening with social media sites — like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc. — because, let’s face it, today’s kids are growing up in a technology-rich environment that will have a profound impact on their success in school and in life.

Several months ago, the folks at SavvyDaddy got it right when they said the reasons to familiarize yourself with social media are:

1. safety — the more you understand social media, the better able you are to help protect your kids as they explore it;
2. connection — the more you understand social media, the better able you may be to connect with your kids in their world (though, don’t feel rejected if they do not accept your friend request); and,
3. academic growth — today’s classrooms must teach technology for kids to be able to compete in an ever-flattening world. The more you know, the better able you’ll be to guide your kids academically.

So before your kids get light years ahead of you in technology, go ahead and jump in the fun and connectedness of the social web.

And while you’re at it... [cue shameless plug]...become a Fan of GreatSchools on Facebook!

Web 2.0 and Parenting

Last week, several of us from Team GreatSchools went to the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco. The conference showcased the latest tools and highlighted how organizations and people are participating in the social media world.

The show echoed a central theme: Social media is …social! It’s about people -- how they connect, what they learn from each other, and what they do together.  One session reinforced this point with the title ‘It’s the people, stupid!’.

At GreatSchools, we’ve seen how social media can unlock the power of parents in guiding their kids’ education. We’ve seen it through ratings and reviews that help people find schools that are right for their kids. Through the collaborative and organic nature of social media as parents share intimate, personal stories, helping one another ensure that kids are on the right track in their education.

What is your opinion? Is Web 2.0 a boon or bust for parenting? Have social media sites like Facebook or MySpace helped you with your parenting challenges? Or do you feel that Social Media is no replacement for connecting the good ol’ fashioned way in the offline world?

What do you think?