Endorsements from around the World for Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn to Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly
“Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens is both discouraging and encouraging. It's discouraging because the book is an extraordinarily thorough exposition of the kinds of dangers that kids and teens face on the Internet. After a parent reads the book, he or she might well say, 'Wait a minute - if there's all that out there, why should I let my child go on the Internet at all?' Sex, cyberbullying, cult groups, hate, spyware, plagiarism, copyright violations, identity theft, spam, Internet addiction, computer crimes, online gaming . . .. What a list!
But the book is encouraging too, because Willard has anticipated this reaction up front. She blends the perspectives of a wise parent and a serious scholar about issues related to Internet behavior and safety. She provides clear explanations about various issues, rarely if ever seeks to impose her own values on the reader, and offers illustrative "conversation starters" that can help a parent open up a line of communication about a child's Internet activities. Pick up the book, open to any random page, and you will find on that page or nearby a wealth of helpful advice and useful commentary on the cyberreality facing our children and on how to deal with any of the issues she's identified.”
Dick Thornburgh, J.D.
Former U.S. Attorney General
Chair, National Academy of Sciences Committee on Youth Pornography and the Internet
“Nancy Willard’s book promotes a safe and enriching online experience for young people. For years, librarians have pointed out that education is the most effective means of guiding children to the best resources and teaching the critical thinking skills that children need to make good choices online. And the process of teaching young people about these skills begins with parents. We rely on Willard’s insights to help parents understand how young people use new technologies--including social networking and e-commerce sites--and teach children how to protect themselves online. As with her earlier publications, librarians are buying this book and recommending it highly to parents and guardians.”
Nancy Kranich
Past President, American Library Association
“From her unique vantage point as former educator, lawyer, and parent, Nancy Willard’s latest contribution offers detailed, common-sense advice for parents committed to preparing their children with the knowledge, skills, and values to make safe and responsible choices on the Internet. A longtime voice of reason and advocate on behalf of children in the digital age, Willard offers a clear-eyed assessment of the range of threats and opportunities offered by the Internet and practical steps that parents can easily employ to take action. Simply put, this book is a must read for anyone – parents, educators, law enforcement, and policymakers alike – concerned with the critical issue of children’s internet safety and what to do about it.”
Douglas Levin,
Senior Director of Education Policy, Cable in the Classroom
“Nancy Willard, while presenting numerous realistic examples of the dangers kids face online, manages to avoid the “sound bite” solutions of online abstinence or 24-7 adult supervision. Instead, she focuses on teaching parents and educators what they need to know to help kids stay safe and, not incidentally, well-behaved online. Nancy’s unique background in law, education, technology, and parenting are evident in the book’s practical, sensible, and highly specific advice for teaching kids to anticipate, avoid, and deal with risky online situations. This book should be required reading for every adult responsible for both a child and a browser.”
Linda Starr
Curriculum and Technology Editor, Education World
“This is sound, much-needed parenting advice for Web 2.0 - what I'd call the kid-driven Web. Never has parental engagement (rather than control) been more important, and it's tough to be involved without being informed. Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens covers all the angles, from parenting strategies to what children do and face on the social Web. I highly recommend it.”
Anne Collier
Editor of Net Family News
Co-author of MySpace Unraveled
Co-director of BlogSafety.com
“This book gives parents and teachers an insight into the way children and young people are using the latest Internet applications and outlines a range of issues and dangers for children. The advice is balanced, positive and Nancy's greatest achievement is in helping parents see beyond the technology and think carefully about the common sense parenting issues. The book gives practical advice on how parents can get involved in their children's online world and ensure that children get the most out of the internet and stay safe."
Stephen Carrick-Davies
CEO, Childnet International, Great Britain
“Nancy Willard's book, Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens, is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and any readers who are concerned about keeping youngsters safe online. The contents are thorough and comprehensive, covering all aspects of computer use that can be problematical, from cyber-bullying to online predators to plagiarism. Approaches for working with young children, pre-adolescents, and older teens are all described. Not only are the issues presented in clear, straightforward terms, but practical tips are provided that offer ways to ward off problems or deal with situations once they occur. Because Willard clearly explains the various issues and also recognizes the value of online experiences for youngsters, this book is an excellent antidote for the fear-mongering often disseminated by popular media. Written in language approachable by the layman, this wide-ranging book is an essential title anyone who cares about today's digitally-oriented children and teens.”
Mary Ann Bell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Library Science, Sam Houston State University
Co-Author of Cybersins and Digital Good Deeds: A Book About Technology and Ethics
“Nancy Willard combines her considerable expertise in law, technology and parenting to create this important and accessible guide. For many parents, myself included, the Internet can be a foreign sea and helping children navigate it safely can be confusing and frightening. Nancy uses a common sense approach in teaching both children and young adults to avoid a comprehensive range of potential Internet hazards - from social networking to cyberbullying to accessing adult materials. For any adult who wants to help students learn safe and ethical online behaviors, this book is a must
read.”
Doug Johnson,
Director of Media and Technology, Mankato Schools, Minnesota
Author of Learning Right from Wrong in the Digital Age
“As an international leader in the field of Internet safety, Nancy has produced a book that every parent and educator must read. The straight forward approach used gives readers a clear sense of the risks our children face online and what we can do to keep them safe. I encourage you take note of the many positive strategies Nancy describes and to share her Internet safety message with others. This book will undoubtedly become a valuable resource for parents who care about the safety of their children in the digital world.”
Lara A MacDonell
General Manager, NetAlert Limited, Australia.
“Nancy Willard approaches this subject with sensitivity and insight. The book is both thorough and lucid with plenty of practical advice.”
Larry Magid
Founder SafeKids.com
Co-author of MySpace Unraveled
Co-director BlogSafety.com
Technology analyst, CBS News
“Nancy Willard has written a terrific book. I found it to be well researched, thoughtful, and filled with sound, practical advice. Written in a clear, down-to-earth style, it will be an indispensable tool for parents who are struggling to raise their children in the midst of this pervasive new digital media culture.”
Kathryn C. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication, American University
Author, Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet.
“Although we might think of them as two distinct worlds - our children move between the offline and online spaces without consciously registering the transition. This means that they apply the same skills, experience, and knowledge when navigating hazards in either environment. This book will help parents put aside their fear of the technology and terminology. Instead, I hope they will feel confident in the knowledge that they can still provide relevant guidance to their children.”
Martin Cocker
Executive Director, NetSafe - The Internet Safety Group of New Zealand
“Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens is a comprehensive and practical book for parents on how to monitor, guide, and effectively communicate with their children regarding the Internet. Such guidance is critical in order to effectively parent today.”
Patti Agatston, Ph.D
Prevention Specialist, Cobb County School District, Georgia
"Willard has written a very comprehensive and, above all, practical guide to teens' online activities. Teachers, parents and others involved in the welfare of children and young people will find this an invaluable reference book."
Terry Freedman
Educational Consultant, ICT in Education, UK