This post is sponsored by our friends at Google in partnership with the Google Family Partner Program. All opinions expressed here are always my own. 

Introducing The Google Family Partner Program

I’ve been keeping a secret for a few weeks now. I recently mentioned on Instagram that I had some fun news to share soon. I’m super excited to announce that I’m joining the Google Family Partner Program! What does that mean?! For the next six months I’ll be sharing some useful Google for Families products & programs that I know we all need. Next month, I’ll even be headed to meet with Google to dive into the details of these products and programs and learn the ins and outs to be able to provide you with in depth knowledge and perspective. 

Things in the digital space are rapidly changing, so it’s important for us to create a safer online environment for our kids, and for us as parents to be aware of how our children are spending their time online. As a blogger, and someone who spends a lot of time on social media, I never thought I would feel behind on what the kids are doing these days but as my sons head into their teenage years, sometimes I’m not as aware as I want to be. Even Miss Menaal — whom most of you know as BabyCake (she’s getting older and wants to be addressed by her name) is spending time online and I can’t always be there to check every single thing that’s happening. I am not a helicopter mom, and I feel like being that way jeopardizes the trust that I’ve built with my children. This is where Google’s new programs for families come into play. There are online tools that Google has developed to help keep kids informed and safer online. 

​Be Internet Awesome​

Google has created an internet code of awesome to teach kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so that they can explore the online world with confidence. My children and I just went over these principles, and they are so helpful when it’s easy today to fall into online traps or to become a victim online just through regular use of the internet. 

SMART – Where we learn to share with care

ALERT – Where we learn not to fall for fake

STRONG – Where we learn how to secure Our digital stuff 

KIND – Where we learn that itʼs cool to be kind 

BRAVE – Where we learn that, when in doubt, we talk it out 

SMART – Being Smart online means sharing with care. One of the things I really like about this principle is that it involves talking to people online as you would talk to them in a face to face conversation. If you wouldn’t say what you’re typing out to someone’s face, then you shouldn’t be saying it online. It goes without saying that kids and adults should be putting this into practice online. I’ve read some pretty hurtful things on social media because people feel like it’s easier to do since there are no real consequences. I also talked to my children about what content is appropriate to share online vs what’s not as well as keeping personal details about our family and friends private. 

ALERT – Being internet alert means not falling for what’s fake and using discernment for what’s real online. 

STRONG – Being internet strong means taking personal privacy and security online seriously. Teaching my children to safeguard their valuable information like passwords and personal family info helps them to avoid damaging their devices, reputations, and relationships. 

KIND – It’s cool to be kind online and in real life! Based on how easy it is to go viral online these days, the internet can spread both positivity and negativity pretty quickly. I’ve reminded my children of the old saying “treat people the way you want to be treated”. It’s not cool to be an online bully! 

BRAVE – Be internet brave! When there’s a doubt about what’s happening online, then let’s talk about it. I keep the lines of communication with my children open. I let them know that they can come to me with anything and we can talk about it. This includes what’s happening online. If they come across something questionable, they can bring their concerns to me or their dad so that we can discuss it. 

All of these fundamentals are so important for kids and parents to create conversations around, in order for kids to feel safer when using the internet. It also gives us as parents peace of mind so that we aren’t constantly looking over our shoulders checking for what our children are doing online. 

After our talk on internet safety, my children played the Interland Game. Interland is a way for kids to play their way to being Internet Awesome, covering each of the five fundamentals shared above. It teaches them digital safety and gives them the opportunity to put into practice being safe online. 

Family Link

The Family Link app from Google allows parents to set digital ground rules to help guide children as they learn, play and explore online. It’s a great tool to use for all age groups, from younger children to teens. You’ll be able to view activity reports on how your children are using their Android or Chromebook devices. You can also manage the apps your children use and download and the websites they go to. Don’t want your kids to play specific games? You can approve or block them from the Google Play Store!

Do you want to prevent any of your cards from being charged for in-app purchases? You can control that as well! Family Link also shows you teacher recommended apps that you can add directly to your child’s device from your phone. One of my favorite features of the Family Link app from Google is the ability to limit screen time. You can actually select a bedtime for their device and lock their device when it’s time to take a break. You guys know that my oldest son is very active with his robotics team and they travel all the time. I can use the Family Link app from Google to see his location via his device. Do you want to reward your children with some screen time after they’ve done their homework or completed other good deeds? The Family Link app from Google makes it easy! Remember that none of these tools replace having a good conversation about screen time and setting certain limits on how your children are using their devices.

All of these features that Google has developed provide me so much peace and makes things more streamlined for my busy lifestyle as a mom that does it all! Learn more on how to be Internet Awesome with your family at g.co/BeInternetAwesome and start a conversation with your kids on how to be safer and smart online everyday after reading the Be Internet Awesome Family Guide or Tips. You can encourage your kids to play Interland at g.co/Interland. Also set digital ground rules for your family with the ​Family Link​ app from Google. Download the free app on your child’s Android or Chromebook devices and your phone to get started. I’m so excited about this partnership and can’t wait to share more with you guys on how you can use Google for Families products & programs in your everyday lives! 

If you have any questions about internet safety, Be Internet Awesome and/or Family Link, please leave them below so that I can ask the Google team!