The message to inject truth and integrity into our digital footprint is a simple one. Yet,  the pressure to increase traffic, go viral, or acquire more “followers” is more often the motivation that drives our online presence.

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, wrote an inspiring letter for the 45th World Communications Day, impelling the young to use the “unprecedented opportunities (of the digital age) for establishing relationships and building fellowship.” This relevant and timely message emphasizes that the new communications technologies can be used to serve the good of the individual and all of humanity.

Recognizing the challenges that young people face online, the pope asks them to “not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile of oneself.” And, reminds us to build an online presence that derives its worth through integrity, not popularity. To build a cyber space that offers nourishment, rather than a “fleeting attraction.” With the barrage of messages promoting the contrary, this is harder than it sounds.

Certainly, the need to grow popularity is a necessary component of successful online strategies. To ignore this fundamental fact of online business would mean certain failure. However, within this structure there are still plenty of opportunities to share authentic experiences that will build a kinder, more supportive cyber-environment.

In other words, we need to teach our kids a moral code in the “virtual” world that reflects  our “real” world expectations. Can we teach our kids to hold the door open in cyberspace? Hm. Yeah, I think we can. It’s time to start.

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If you have nothing nice to post, don’t post anything at all

Encourage Responsibility behind, and in front, of the camera

A review of e-readers in the January edition of Wired Magazine ranked Chapters-Indigo’s own Kobo Touch as number one. Beating out some of the world’s top-selling competitors, it came out ahead of the Amazon Kindle, Nook Simple Touch, and Sony Reader PRS-T1.

Admittedly surprised by their choice, the editors found the Kobo Touch to offer the “most natural e-ink reader we’ve ever used. Its touchscreen is the fastest and most responsive yet.”

As a fervent reader and long-time fan of Canada’s largest and most stocked chain of bookstores, I admit a sense of pride that Chapters-Indigo is offering tough competition in the e-reader market.  While the company’s bricks and mortar stores are leaning ever more toward non-book merchandise (think tangerine-scented candles, cozy blankets, miniature LEGO), this is a good sign for Canadian readers that the iconic bookstore is maintaining its strong foothold in the sometimes struggling book business.

The young readers in my house are not, yet, ardent fans of the e-reading experience. That’s not to say they’re not comfortable with a pint-sized screen attached to their hands, they’d simply prefer to stare at bouncing animations or burping cats on it than make out sentences. When the day comes, as it inevitably will, the Kobo Touch will be the one they get. It is an easy pick for Canadian readers who are already big fans of the Chapters-Indigo stores and online offerings. Until January 25th, Kobo Touch is on sale for $119.

Imagine how different our eating habits would be if the billions of dollars and bursts of creative genius used to market junk food were employed to encourage us to enjoy healthy food. If a brilliantly funny commercial about salads that had you rushing to your fridge to chop carrots, much the way a goofy representative for Dairy Queen has us dreaming of ice cream Blizzards.

While the idea borders on the ridiculous, that’s exactly what is happening with UK-based food company, Arla Foods. I love that they are making their milk brand,  Cravendale, cool as a result of some very hip, very YouTube friendly viral videos and TV commercials. Check out the funny ad below, warning the human populace of what will happen when cats develop opposable thumbs. And, just see if it doesn’t give you a bit more respect for one of the oldest, most nutrient-rich, drinks on the planet. If more marketing efforts were directed toward getting our picky sugar-loving kids to forgo skittles for a pack of peas, I’m all for it. In fact, plenty of parents would encourage their kids to watch their commercials, in the same way they tell their kids to eat the vegetables.

Get all the handy tips and tidbits right in one spot! The next 26 to 50 tips will start in 2012.

#1 – Show You Care (About Video Games)

#2 – Filter What Your Kids Can See

#3 – No TV in the Bedroom

#4 – If You Have Nothing Nice to Post, Don’t Post Anything At All

#5 – Tell Your Kids the Cost of that Cell Phone

#6 – Get the Kids a Timer

#7 – Take the Kids to the Library

#8 – Get to Know the Video Game Consoles Before Buying

# 9 – Set Rules That Both Parents Can Support

# 10 – Review Before You Go to the Movies

#11 – Get to Know Facebook

#12 – Match Kids’ Screen Time with Active Time

#13 – Parents: Mind Your Own Screen Time

#14 – Interrupt Sitting Time with Movement

#15 – Prepare Your Kids for Gladvertising

# 16 – Update Kids’ Facebook Privacy Settings Regularly

#17 – Encourage Responsibility In Front of Camera and Behind Camera

#18 – Expose Your Kids to Khan Academy

#19 – Offer Guidance and Independence When Kids Research Online

#20 – No TV in the Mornings

#21 – Have the Talk, No Not THAT One, the Money Talk

#22 – Get Comfortable with Saying No

#23 – Talk Reality about the Effects of Reality TV

#24 – Beware of Too Much Free Time for Kids in Screen Time Culture

#25 – Teach Daughters AND Sons to be Critical of Female Portrayals in Media

We all sit on our butts too much these days. Between our office job, Googling, Facebooking, playing video games, and watching TV, few of us can complain that we don’t get enough opportunity to just sit and relax. This habit of parking our rears is apparent through all generations – from young to old. In fact, one of the biggest dangers of the internet and digital technology may be it’s negative effect on our health.

Here are some interesting statistics about the state of our health due to sedentary living, as compiled by U.S.-based organization Medical Billing and Coding:

• The average North American sits 9.3 hours per day (versus 7.7 hours of sleep);
• A person who sits more than six hours per day is up to 40% more likely to die within 15 years than someone who sits less than three hours;
• Those who sit three hours or more per day watching TV are 64% more likely to die from heart disease, and;
• Of those who watch three hours per day, those who exercise are no slimmer than those who don’t.

The solution to our life-shortening habits is, actually, quite simple. We need to turn off the TV, or whatever screen engages us most, and get off the couch. The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend kids include at least one hour of physical activity per day, and adults at least 2.5 hours per week. These may be helpful for some, but how many parents are actually keeping track of their kids’ activity? Probably very few. Rather than wringing hands over the amount of time kids are getting vigorous exercise, parents might be better off keeping track of how many hours their kids are sitting watching TV, YouTube videos, or playing video games. Less time in front of a screen will likely translate to more time on their feet.

TED is a non-profit organization devoted to “ideas worth spreading” and features innovators from the fields of Technology, Education, and Design. Below is an enlightening video featuring TED speaker, Ken Robinson, that challenges the current education model in an exceedingly entertaining and surprisingly clear way. It describes the need for a revolutionary change in how today’s kids are taught, expounding the merits of new technologies and the ability to exploit kids’ digital literacy. I highly recommend you read the entire video (unfortunately, the sound cuts off in last 20 seconds.) TED is a stellar example of how technology enables thought leaders to share innovative ideas that inspire and educate across the globe.

There is a growing army of female warriors determined to battle the media’s assault on female empowerment and self-confidence. The likes of Miss Representation and Spark are two such inspiring grassroots organizations that campaign to stop the proliferation of degrading portrayals of women in movies, TV shows, ads, and more. I wholly applaud them because their words to North American females echo those I share with my own family. With one exception: I have sons.

As my oldest son leans toward his tween years, I feel a particular urgency to open his eyes to the inaccurate representations of women of which he is increasingly exposed.

The days of 24/7 Treehouse TV are long gone and YouTube viewing is slowly migrating into music video territory with movie preferences getting dicy.

While I understand that the campaign to fight negative female stereotypes is by-and-large a female issue, more emphasis needs to shift toward educating our boys to think critically about this issue. After all, some of the most offensive displays of women (think: helpless, “stupid”, barely dressed) are emblazoned in magazines and movies marketed directly to men. If we, as parents, are not teaching our boys that these images do not truthfully reflect the value of women, then I don’t believe the battle will as hard fought as it could be.

A couple of weeks ago, my 11-year-old son’s friend blurted that he was going to see the movie Jack and Jill. I’d just seen the commercial and had been struck by the degrading treatment of the “ugly” sister. (I know it’s supposed to be funny that she is played by Adam Sandler but the message isn’t: treat pretty girls well and ugly girls like garbage.)

My knee jerk response was to exclaim how awful the movie looked and to point out that is completely degrading to women. My son, used to this kind of talk, didn’t bat an eye but his friend looked at me like I’d just grown a horn out of the top of my head.

“I don’t like Adam Sandler movies,” I’d muttered as I cleared the dinner dishes. My son would not be thrilled if I’d stepped onto my soap box and lectured on the importance of critical thinking in front of his friend, so I left it at that. However, the experience helped me to realize that this issue of misrepresentation of women is relying almost completely on the shoulders of mothers and daughters, when it truly should be a battle shared by all. I, for one, am doing my part and I hope others join me.