Vacationing With Technology

Summer and vacationing seem to go together. Did you ever stop to think that vacationing and technology also seem to go hand in hand? Finding the perfect family destination starts early. Hours of suggestions, checking prices online, finding the right dates to match your itinerary, and whether or not to take the family pet all matter in the process. Vacationing is a time of anticipation and it also involves a great deal of planning. Technology has become so mainstream that we never stop to think how difficult it would be to make those summer plans without the apps, devices, and online ticketing we take for granted. Vacationing with technology has become part of our culture.

You probably never stop to consider how much information you access for trip planning using technology. Our phones,computers, and digital devices have become virtual travel agents. We compare destinations, read reviews, look for hotels online, and schedule our entertainment for arrival at our destination well in advance. We can accomplish all of this without speaking to anyone waiting to take our information. We are in control of all our reservations with the touch of a finger and a credit card number.

What Are We Doing With Tech?

Vacationing with technology has changed forever the way we approach travel. Over 50% of us now check our flight status online. We no longer rely on the ticket agent to do it for us. Almost 75% of us use social media while we are on vacation. We complain that it takes over our lives yet we can’t seem to go without it. And what do we do when our trip is over? 3/4′s of us post our photos online to share with others on our social platforms. Photo albums are a relic of the past.

So what are your summer plans? I bet you have it all planned on your digital device.

Vacationing the Social Media Way infographic by MDGadvertising.

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Socially Speaking: Microphilanthropy

Social School 101 is increasing digital literacy by providing information on current social media terms that you may have recently heard in the news. Today’s word is microphilanthropy and it shows one of the positive ways technology can benefit society.

Many time we hear about the frightening side of technology. Here is an example of how technology has benefited people all around the globe. Technology has enabled us to connect to the far corners of the world and offer assistance. It has taken donating from general to specific. When many people give in a small way, collectively their gifts have a bigger impact.

The way we choose to contribute has changed. You could donate in a general way by giving money for a food drive. With microphilanthropy, you can find a network that is providing aid to an orphanage in Thailand with children under the age of seven that is in need of food and medicine. You specifically know who receives the aid and how the funds will benefit them. This targeted way of donating makes the experience more gratifying to the donor. They know where their funds are going. Many times donations can be made using a cellphone. This unites the donor and receiver more efficiently.

Microphilanthropy2

MICROPHILANTHROPY noun Microphilanthropy is the name for donating to a specific need or charity. It can be a gift of time, money, or work. It is the direct interaction between the donor and the recipient many times using technology to conduct the transaction. Collectively, small donations contribute to a large impact since more people share in the giving.

Example:

The organization, Donor’s Choose, relies on microphilanthropy to assist children and teachers in classrooms across America. Today, I am donating to a third grade class in Dallas in need of thirty Charlotte’s Web books to increase literacy. After my donation, they just need four more people to reach their goal.

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Ask Ms. Social: Starting A Teen Business?

Dear Ms. Social,

I was wondering if you could give me some advice about whether or not my daughter should open an Etsy account and start a teen business online. She started making custom paperweights at the beginning of the year. They are so popular that she spends her entire weekend filling orders. Our dining room has turned into a workshop! Every corner is filled with supplies.

I would think starting a business has many challenges but we are wondering if teens encounter different obstacles? We would just like to know what we should consider before we dive head first into starting something that we know nothing about. Would my daughter be taking on more than she can handle?

My daughter thinks that she could reach more customers and make more sales if she had a way for people to discover what she is making. She did get one mention in a local paper and the sales zoomed. One of her friends suggested Etsy.

I am not familiar with what is involved with selling items online. Do you have to have a special business license? What should we know about setting up a business? Are teens allowed to participate in Etsy?

Mom of entrepreneur

One Response to “Ask Ms. Social: Starting A Teen Business?”

Ms. Social June 13, 2013 at 6:09 am Permalink

Dear Mom of an Enterprising Teen,

I think your daughter has given you a pretty good indication of her dedication to her business idea. Since her item is handmade, it would be perfect for the Etsy marketplace. I think the more time you spend in the planning process with your daughter the more informed decision she will make. I will give you some talking points. Then you can spend time on the Etsy site before you make your decision.

There are several things to consider:

• Is this a product that your daughter wants to continue producing or is it just a passing interest? Commitment is a key ingredient to success in any endeavor.
• She will require an adult to open an Etsy account and secure a credit card number for receivables. Are you willing to open the store in your name if she is under the age of 18?
• There is quite a bit of responsibility to assume. Once the item is made, the shop needs to be maintained. Photos taken, categorizing, listing items using strong keywords, and answering questions from customers are just a few areas to think about. All these require time and attention.
• Think about how you will handle shipping and returns ahead of time.
• Will you be able to fill orders during the busy holiday season?

Opening a business is a great way to learn about the many different areas of inventory control, marketing, accounting, taxes, and distribution. You have to be able to multitask and really love what you are doing. I suppose the biggest question your daughter must answer is she willing to devote that amount of energy and time to running a successful online store?

Some of the very best ideas never got off the ground because people did not put their ideas into action. Maybe with your help, your daughter would be able to balance the time commitment and start her entrepreneurial career all at the same time. I say, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained!”

When you get a chance, send me a photo. I could probably use a paperweight for my desk.

Socially yours,

Ms. Social

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Kid Tech: How Children Are Targeted

Kid technology has become a big business. Whether parents realize it or not, children are being targeted by technology companies. It makes perfect sense. Children represent the next generation of consumers to use digital devices. By tapping into their customers early, technology companies can nurture future consumers. With that in mind, kid tech and products represent huge dollars for future market growth.

Smaller Devices For Smaller Users

Devices have become smaller and smaller. Keyboards and screens that were once limited to a desktop have grown smaller in size as devices have become more mobile. Cellphones and digital tablets are examples of this transformation. It may not have been intended, however, the smaller devices are perfect for smaller fingers and hands to use. Children have embraced digital tablets. This has prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to make recommendations to parents about when children should start using kid tech.

If there had been a master plan to win customers over at an early age, tech companies have certainly accomplished their goal. From apps that read bedtime stories to children, music that fits in a pocket, to textbooks becoming digital, technology spans all age groups from crib to college. I do not know of any other industry that has appealed to so many different age categories.

What are your children doing with digital tools? Can you identify with the results in this infographic? One thing is for certain, your child would not want to forfeit any of the amazing kid tech they use everyday.

Kid Tech According To Apple infographic by MDGadvertising.

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Summer Reading List For Families

Social School 101 has collected even more books to add to the summer reading list for families. Our latest selections are filled with fabulous ideas on how to turn those long summer days into exciting moments meant to be shared. We have some wonderful solutions to that age old statement you have heard many times before, “I am bored, I have nothing to do all day.” Now, is the time to start your list of summer activities and we have some great recommendations.

This month in our summer reading list for families we have four you can choose from. Last month we shared four of our favorites to give your summer a jumpstart. You can review them here. We just had one problem when we started our search for ideas. We could not limit our favorites to just a handful. Lucky you! We found an abundance of books written by talented parents just waiting to share their great ideas.

Summer Reading List

Fifteen Minutes Outside is filled with ideas to create quality time outside away from digital devices. It includes ideas organized by monthly chapters.

Family Reading Night allows parents to start a new tradition and instill a love of reading. Wouldn’t it be great if more families started doing this?

The Creative Family is a small little book with fun crafts and ways to incorporate creativity into your family.

Family Fun Night is the alternative to television that you have been searching for. You will find fun ideas to try, projects, and games.

We have shared our favorites for our second summer reading list. Do you have any you would like to add to the list?

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Ask Ms. Social: Flame Wars

Dear Ms. Social,

We have had a terrible situation at my daughter’s school and I cannot get any help from the school staff. Several girls in my daughter’s class have started ridiculing her online. We cannot get it to stop. These girls send emails constantly teasing, harassing, or making false allegations that she likes a certain boy in the class. The boy has sided with the girls thinking that the emails are true.

My daughter is in the 5^th grade and you can imagine how devastating this has been for her. We scheduled a conference with her teacher but we were told there is nothing the school can do. If it did not occur at school, they are not responsible.

We have told our daughter not to respond to their emails. We feel this would only make the situation worse. It is a very hurtful situation and we feel our daughter has become a victim of mean girls using the Internet to inflict cruelty. We need to find a way to stop it.

Should we go the parents of the girls since the school will not help? What are our alternatives so we can put a stop to this?

Tired of taking it

One Response to “Ask Ms. Social: Flame Wars”

Ms. Social June 7, 2013 at 6:15 am Permalink

Dear Tired of Taking It,

Many parents can identify with what your family is going through. Online bullying can be devastating. Parents should always caution their children to not become part of a “flame war.” Flame wars occur when one person tries to engage the other person in a constant online disagreement. The argument continues to escalate with back and forth allegations. This should be avoided. Here are some suggestions for you to consider.

1. Do not engage in a flame war. Many times the bullies are trying to trap and antagonize their victims into an online exchange. This only leads to more ridicule. It is best to not comment at all. Instruct your daughter to ignore their attempts to pull her into an exchange of negative comments.
2. Try giving your daughter an alternate email address for the time being.
3. Take a screenshot or print every single piece of correspondence. This is your evidence. You need to establish that there is a history of online bullying that has occurred.
4. Notify the parents.
5. Send copies to the school principal, guidance counselor, and your daughter’s teachers. They need to be aware that bullying is occurring outside of school in the event that it escalates at school. This way they will be alerted to negative behavior before it occurs.
6. Take you evidence to the authorities. Different states have different rules regarding online bullying. You need to find out what your rights are.

I realize these are serious steps but cowardly online bullying should be taken seriously. I hope you are able to use these suggestions to stop this from occurring. I think it will also help your daughter to know that she has options. Please let us know how you resolve the situation. I know other parents would be interested to know.

Socially yours,

Ms. Social