Welcome to Rogers Plus - Movies, Games, Wireless, Internet, Cable TV, Home Phone and more in-store for you

Customer Service | Français

Kids Pledge to Parents

Kids on the Net

Many kids today use the Internet more often than their parents, regularly going online to research homework assignments, connect to other kids and download music and games. To keep your kids safe online, it's important to have a set of online rules that everyone understands. Go over these rules as a family, and post them near the family computer. Don't forget, nothing beats a parent's involvement.

Our Family Online Rules

I will not give out any personal information online without my parents' permission. This includes my name, phone number, address, e-mail, location of my school, my parents' work address/telephone numbers, credit card information, and my picture.

When using the Internet, I will always use a pretend name or nickname that doesn't reveal anything about me.

When creating a password, I will make one up that is hard to guess but easy for me to remember. To avoid having it stolen, I will never reveal it to anyone (except my parents) - not even my best friend.

I will not respond to any message that makes me uncomfortable. I will show an adult right away.

I will NOT arrange to meet a friend I have made on the Internet unless one of my parents has been informed and will be present.

I will not open e-mail, files, links, pictures or games from people that I don't know or trust. I will always ask an adult first.

I will practice responsible online behaviour:

		I will not post or send insulting or rude messages or threats to anyone online.

		I will not take words, pictures or sounds from someone else's Web site without their permission.

I will not disable any filtering software my parents have put on the computer.

I will not make any online purchases without my parents' permission.

10.

I will not believe everything I read on the Internet. When doing online research, I will always check the source of the information and confirm it with my teacher, parent or librarian.

Online Rules provided courtesy of the Media Awareness Network, proudly supported by Rogers@Home. Details here.

The Movie Mom's^® Guide to Family Movie Watching

"I know 'Cliffhanger' is rated R, but it's only for violence, not for sex, Dad!" The boy in the video store added that all of his friends had seen it and said it was no worse than several other gruesome titles he had already seen. His father sighed and gave in. The technology that has enabled new generations to have a range of entertainments broader than anyone could have imagined has created tough challenges for families. Too often we end up grabbing videos from the "Just Released" shelf or watching the same things, over and over. This electronic baby-sitting is like the Star Trek characters who "set their lasers on 'stun,'" a numbing cavalcade of explosions and jump-cuts. Its messages are never consciously considered, yet they somehow sink in.

That same technology makes it possible to find videos that exercise the mind and spirit, and bring families closer together. Classic movies that once were available only on scratchy prints in art-houses or shot through with commercials on the "Late Late Show" now appear in video stores, public libraries, and mail- order houses -- pristine new prints, as timeless as a Rembrandt. Films that enchant, inspire, thrill, even teach, are there for parents who know where to look. But it can be a challenge, once you have found them, to get kids to watch them. Children love the familiar. That's why they want to hear the same books over and over when they are small and see the same videos over and over (or almost-carbon-copy sequels) when they are bigger. Mental exercise, like physical exercise, is not as easy as watching a movie that is, in Frank Lloyd Wright's words, "chewing gum for the mind." Furthermore, the style of movie-making has changed, so that older movies can seem at first unfamiliar and slow-moving. Kids used to movies like "Home Alone" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" or even TV shows like "Sesame Street" are used to kaleidoscopic images and non-stop action, even a bit numbed by it all. But be patient -- and persistent. Just as important as their exposure to wonderful stories, beautifully presented, is the stretching they have had to do to adjust to quieter, subtler story-telling. While introducing these movies to today's children can be a challenge, it can be done, and it is worth the effort. These hints will help:

ENTICE THEM -- Parents need to get children interested before the movie begins. Tell them what the challenge or conflict in the movie is, and refuse to tell them how it turns out. "This is a movie about a girl who dreams of owning the fastest and most beautiful horse in the world." "This is a movie about a teacher who goes to a country far from home to teach the children of a king." Children love to watch the movies that were their parents' (and grandparents') favourites when they were the children's' ages.

ENGAGE THEM -- Movies should not be background for whatever else they happen to be doing. If they wander off, bicker, or start to play with toys, turn it off, and tell them they can see it when they are ready to watch. Stretch their attention spans. Don't let them zone out between explosions and car chases; kids (and adults) have a tendency to have the TV on more to numb their thoughts than to engage them. Kids who grow used to putting their minds on hold this way may find more dangerous ways in the future. Make sure that they learn that watching is active exercise for their minds and spirits.

CHALLENGE THEM -- Make sure that every movie they see is one that you feel is worth the two hours it takes away from other things. Be aware that older movies are more slowly paced and some children will complain that black and white movies are boring. Just reply with a slight tone of regret that you are sorry to have made a mistake in thinking they were old enough for these movies, and you will try again next year, but that they can go to their rooms and read or draw while you watch it.

Challenge them to challenge the film, as well. Don't let it be background noise; if they stop watching, turn it off until later. Make sure they are thinking about what is happening. Ask them what they would do if they were in that situation. Ask why the character is behaving that way. Ask them what the people who made the movie wanted them to think about the characters, and how they could tell. How does the movie spring its surprises? How does it make you feel the suspense? This not only teaches them about narrative and point of view, it helps to teach them critical thinking as well.

PREPARE THEM -- No matter how bright and well-educated a child is, developmentally he or she is unlikely to be able to follow and understand and truly enjoy a full-length movie's plot, especially one set in another time or place, without some kind of introduction. This is another reason children like to watch the same movie over and over; each viewing allows them to understand it better.

CONNECT TO THEM -- If the child loves baseball, try "Pride of the Yankees" or "It Happens Every Spring." Many classic children's books have been made into movies. Children who have read "The Secret Garden," "Little Women," "Anne of Green Gables," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Hatchet," "Tuck Everlasting," or "The Phantom Tollbooth," will especially enjoy the movies. A child who has learned about Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Malcolm X, Charles Lindburgh, or Helen Keller in school can see movies about their lives. Children also love movies that feature a child as a major character. Try "The Secret Garden," "Heidi," "The Canterville Ghost," "Oliver!," "Annie," "Lassie Comes Home," or "The Prince and the Pauper."

Everyone knows about "A Christmas Carol," "Miracle on 34th Street," and "It's a Wonderful Life" at Christmas, but other holidays have movies, too. For example: "1776" for the 4th of July, "The Long Walk Home" for King Day, "I Remember Mama" for Mother's Day, "Life With Father" or "To Kill a Mockingbird" for Father's Day, "The Pajama Game" for Labor Day and "The Longest Day" or "To Hell and Back" for Memorial Day. If a child likes a particular genre (westerns, detective stories, adventure), find some in the same category. Some children get attached to particular actors and will want to see all of their films. One movie can lead to a related one: "The Wizard of Oz" to "The Wiz," "West Side Story" to "Romeo and Juliet," "Rudy" to "Knute Rockne, All American." Movies can teach a child about the careers or backgrounds of family members or friends. A child dealing with challenges like courage, loss, growing up, moving, confidence, or tolerance can find them easier to talk about (or even think about) after seeing them in a movie.

WARN THEM -- Older movies do have the advantage of telling their stories without the kind of language, violence, or nudity that led to the development of the rating system in the late 1960's. But the disadvantage is that they sometimes reflect assumptions or attitudes that are inconsistent with modern views, particularly about women and minorities. This creates an important opportunity for discussions with the children about those attitudes, about the history they were a part of, and the history since, and, most important, about being able to identify prejudice and its impact, to make sure it is eradicated.

PROTECT THEM -- Examine the ratings carefully and make sure the movie is suitable for children before you bring it home. Don't just go by the information on the box, which is designed to sell, not inform. One mother brought home "Sirens" for her son, not realizing that much of the movie is three naked women discussing sex very explicitly--the box made it look like something from Masterpiece Theatre. Many parents have allowed their children to see "The Good Son" or "Ace Ventura" because they seemed like children's movies. If you are watching a movie with the children and decide it is not appropriate, turn it off. This has nothing to do with how smart or sophisticated they are for their ages; it has to do with your communicating to them your views on what is appropriate. Just because you show it to them, implies your endorsement. It is very tough, in this era, to protect children from inappropriate material, but they will appreciate every effort, if not now, later.

JOIN THEM -- Sharing a movie with them shows the children that you are not seating them in front of the TV to give yourself a JOIN THEM -- Sharing a movie with them shows the children that you are not seating them in front of the TV to give yourself a break; you are sharing something with them that you think is worthwhile. It gives you the chance to answer their questions, and to tell them what you think of characters or issues. Even an objectionable movie has some value if it prompts a discussion about the objectionable behavior. It gives you a chance to point out aspects of your past ("I used to dress like that!" "You see, all the airplanes had propellers!") or places you have been. It gives you a chance to talk about values without sounding as though you are preaching to them. And it gives you a chance to win the Grand National with Velvet, save King Richard with Robin Hood, learn to communicate with Helen Keller, and climb the Alps with Heidi. You'll fall in love with the movies along with your children, and the movies will be a part of your shared experience and frame of reference that you will always treasure.

Pledge to Parents | Movie Ratings | Game Ratings | Parents' Guide | Articles