Pandora Corp. To Parents: Monitor and Protect Those New PCs

By: admin - December 4th, 2011  Filed under: Toys For Holiday Add Comment


Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) November 28, 2011

There is no denying that today?s youth have grown up digitally and are living their lives online. With the holiday season now in full swing, and this year?s wishlists topped with dreams of netbooks, laptops, and cell phones, a lot of high-tech toys are sure to be unwrapped this December.

Throughout the last decade, many experts warned against giving a child their own computer, but times have changed. A teenager having their own PC is an unavoidable reality in 2011, due to the amount of school work requiring a computer and the increased pressure from peers to be socially active online.

?What parents tend to forget is that these high tech toys are a doorway between your child and the rest of the world,? explains James Leasure, co-founder of Pandora Corp. ?Remember, that door swings both ways. It is absolutely imperative that parents have a tool in place to monitor who their child is talking to online, how they are interacting with others and how they are representing themselves on the Internet.?

Pandora Corporation, the maker of PC Pandora computer monitoring software, is reminding parents to be smart when giving teens and tweens their own PC this holiday season. Leasure says parents must adopt and enforce a new set of rules, such as leaving the bedroom door open and a ?no Internet after __? time. Parents should also ask frequent questions about what websites their kids are visiting and who their online friends are. Social networking accounts should be heavily monitored and passwords should be shared with parents.

?As you get ready to give them the ?big gift? this year, make sure it is outfitted with proper parental control and monitoring software,? says Leasure. ?Tools like our PC Pandora make it easy to find that safe, happy medium between teens being able to freely use the Internet socially, and parents not being left in the dark about their child?s online activity.?

PC Pandora is computer monitoring software that records all user activity on a computer. First-rate monitoring capabilities take sequential snapshots of everything that happens on the computer, allowing parents to see first-hand everything their child does both on and offline. Details of user activity , including websites visited, social network activity, instant messenger chats, peer-2-peer files shared, keystrokes, programs accessed, Internet search queries and more, are made available in text-based files and easy-to-read charts. In less than 10 minutes, parents can verify their children are using their new toys safely or uncover a situation that needs parental attention.

?PC Pandora is essentially a DVR for your child?s computer,? says Leasure. ?If your child is talking to strangers on social networks, creating and maintaining multiple social network profiles, visiting websites you don?t approve of, downloading illegal music and movies, or falling victim to or ? even worse ? acting as a cyberbully, you will know about it if you are monitoring their internet activity.?

In addition, the built-in IRIS feature can send the text-based data files right to a parent?s email, and the PC Pandora LIVE! add-on allows parents to check screenshots and adjust parental controls though a secure web login. Both are invaluable features for working parents who can?t always be home when their kids are online.

Leasure adds: ?Conversation, education and awareness are essential, but a child with an Internet-connected device can still lead to unwanted and potentially harmful situations. That?s why it?s important to monitor what they are doing with those very powerful tools you place in their hands.?

As a special promotion for the holidays, the company is offering the software at half of the normal retail price. The sale is already on and will continue through New Year?s Day 2012. Visit http://www.pcpandora.com for more details.

About PC Pandora: Pandora Corporation was formed with one goal ? to help our customers monitor, control and protect their families and themselves online. First released in mid 2005, PC Pandora monitoring software has been constantly upgraded to industry-leading specifications and has received accolades from users, reviewers and even school districts and law enforcement agencies, who use the program to help in the day-to-day supervision of the children and citizens they are charged with protecting. The company website devotes space to helping parents by providing them with 18 Tips to Safe Surfing and Pandora?s Blog, where current news in the world of online safety is discussed regularly. In addition, the Pandora Corp. has made the PD Pandora Internet Safety Symposium available to schools and law enforcement as a free resource for spreading internet safety awareness to parents. Over the past few years, PC Pandora has vaulted into a leadership position for parental control software by boasting a combination of features that are unparalleled in the monitoring industry. In 2010, Version 6.0 was released, again widening the spectrum of coverage and protection offered by the program. Concurrently released with 6.0, the web-based PC Pandora LIVE! service affords parents the ability to keep their kids safe from anywhere at anytime. PC Pandora computer monitoring software is also now available through the Pandora Corp. store at Amazon.com and on and on Facebook!

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The ELIJA School’s Holiday Travel Tips for Parents of Children with Autism

By: admin - November 28th, 2011  Filed under: Toys For Holiday Add Comment


(PRWEB) November 20, 2011

?Tis almost the season! The time for holidays, traveling, family get-togethers and gift giving is right around the corner. Though the holidays are a hectic time for everyone, they are especially stressful for family and friends of children with Autism. The holiday season should be spent creating memories, celebrating tradition and spreading the love among family and friends. However, for families of children with Autism, these three months can be exhausting. Aside from the common stressors that the holidays may bring, parents find that traveling with children with Autism can be the biggest stress of all. The ELIJA School has recognized the need for holiday travel tips for parents, friends and families of children with Autism. With the help of the ELIJA Foundation Founder and ELIJA School Director, Debora Harris, ELIJA has provided the following holiday travel tips in the hopes of creating a more enjoyable holiday experience. Happy holidays!

1. Destination Preparation

Start preparing your child early on by showing them images of the destination you will be traveling to and the home/hotel you will be staying at. Walk through the itinerary with your child ahead of time ? where you will be going, what you will be doing and who will be in attendance. Building up the excitement for the departure date will help prepare your child ? create a countdown on the refrigerator and get your child involved by allowing him/her to mark off a number each day.

2. Pleasant Plane

If traveling by plane, think about doing a trial run first. Some airports will allow you to come in before your departure date and walk through the security line while explaining each step to your child. Contact your local airport and explain your situation to see what they can do to best accommodate you and your child. Also, notifying the flight attendants of your child?s needs could be useful. Be sure to have snacks, books, a DVD player, building blocks, etc. to help pass the time and keep your child entertained during the flight. ELIJA parent, Jennica Nill whose son Dustin attends The ELIJA School, suggests meeting with your family pediatrician or a psychiatrist before your travel date to discuss possible emergency medication options. Be sure to do a test run on the medication before the day of travel incase of any bad reactions. Jennica also suggests booking your seats toward the back of the plane to ensure easier access to the restroom.

3. Long Car Rides

For car rides that may be three hours or longer, it?s best to travel early in the morning or late at night so that your child is more likely to sleep for a majority of your travel time. Be sure to dress your child comfortably and bring along familiar items like their favorite snacks, a blanket/pillow from their room, coloring books, etc. If possible, a portable DVD player could be great entertainment and an easy way to pass the time.

4. Hotel

Baby steps are key in changing up your regular nightly routines in an unfamiliar hotel room. Start out by renting a room nearby before your actual vacation date or have them sleep in a different room in your home. Having adjoining rooms and taking along familiar items like your child?s pillow and blanket may make for a smoother transition. The more you keep to your normal routines, the easier the adjustment will be. Like most children, Jennica?s son Dustin loves to swim. When looking for hotels, she suggests making sure that there is an indoor pool or hot tub that will be open during your stay. This is a fun activity that will make your child see how fun hotels can actually be and will create a positive experience.

5. Family/Friends House

If your holiday celebrations are taking place at a family or friends house, no need to stress! There are many easy ways to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. Preparation is key. Showing your child pictures of the home, the room they will be staying in and the relatives they will be visiting is a great way to mentally prepare your child. Also, if a sit-down formal holiday dinner is going to take place, try setting your kitchen table for a nice dinner and walk your child through what they should expect. A few days ahead of time, make sure that you prepare a list of toys, games, food and snacks that your child will eat. For example, Jennica?s son Dustin loves playing on his laptop computer. If your child loves the computer, she suggests that you make sure Internet connection is accessible. If not, Jennica says to consider getting a pay-per-use Internet plan. Also, be sure to call your friends and family members ahead of time and provide them with useful tips. Most parents of children with Autism may need to sit alongside their child. For holiday dinners, many families set up a ?kids? table and an ?adults? table. You may have to let the host/hostess know in advance that you may want to sit with your child. Let the other guests know that they should not feel offended if you have to leave the table often and to put your child as close to the ?adults? table as possible.

For those not enrolled in The ELIJA School, ELIJA has launched an outreach program, which provides support, education, and training to parents, family members, caregivers and professionals. ELIJA conducts private consultations within and outside of the school?s community. ELIJA also hosts a regular workshop series at the school in the evenings. For a current schedule or to register, please visit http://www.ELIJA.org If you are interested in scheduling a private consultation, contact Jane Kaplan at JKaplan(at)elijaschool(dot)org.

To read more about ELIJA please visit http://www.ELIJA.org, or visit Facebook and Twitter.

About The ELIJA School

The ELIJA School is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with Autism, their families and the Autism community at large with science-based treatments utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Today 1 in 91 children are diagnosed with Autism making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. The school opened its doors in order to improve the quality of education for children with Autism from the Long Island and New York City areas who cannot be served in their available public school settings. The ELIJA School also provides extensive training programs, advocacy and outreach services for professionals, individuals, their families, teachers and caregivers.

The ELIJA School currently has academic openings and is accepting applications. Please visit http://www.ELIJA.com to download an application.

For media interviews, tours, and further information, please contact:

Jeanine Pepler???????????? ????????

917.797.0676???????????????? ????

Jeanine(at)aka-pr(dot)com????

Laura Nicolassy

917-417-9783

Laura(at)aka-pr(dot)com

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Hot Toys May Not Be The Best Toys; Parents’ Choice Foundation Releases 2006 Holiday Guide

By: admin - October 25th, 2011  Filed under: Toys For Holiday Add Comment

Timonium, MD (PRWEB) November 16, 2006

Parents who plan their holiday shopping using lists of “hot” toys, may find the heat wave fleeting soon after the gift wrap has been recycled. Contrary to what the multiple lists advertise, “Hot” doesn’t always mean good. What’s “Hot” is frequently what’s “Hyped.”

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice is the nation’s oldest nonprofit independent guide to children’s media and toys. “A good toy isn’t a one trick pony,” said Claire Green, President of Parents’ Choice Foundation. “Good toys are filled with promise, not performance. Good toys have staying power; they engage.”

Parents’ Choice suggests that when gift givers are considering a toy purchase they should think about the children’s interests. Do they like Art? Or Sports? Science? Or Fashion Design? And make sure the toys and games (or books or music) are age appropriate.

Those poised to spend holiday budgets may wonder how long a child will play with a toy. Parents’ Choice Foundation answers “As long as there is something new to do with it or learn from it. At Parents’ Choice, we have a steadfast Toy Credo: The best toys prompt a child to ask ‘What If?’ ” explained Green. “What happens if I move this piece over here? What if I paint the trees with stripes? If I mix more X with Y what will I get? Those are the questions that begin to define the best toys.”

The 2006 Parents’ Choice Holiday Guide, organized by ages, areas of interest and price, is filled with products (toys, books, music, software, DVDs etc.) that promote curiosity and awaken a love of learning. And yes, they’re fun.

The 2006 Parents’ Choice Holiday Guide is available online today at

http://www.parents-choice.org/holiday.

About Parents’ Choice Foundation

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice Foundation is the nation’s oldest nonprofit guide to quality children’s books, videos, toys, audios, computer software, television, and magazines. The Foundation’s mission is to provide parents with information to participate wisely in their children’s learning.

Via the Parents’ Choice Foundation’s public service website, the foundation strives to impart solid information about the vast array of children’s media products and toys that are on the market, helping parents and caregivers make informed decisions about which new products are right for their children.

The Foundation’s purpose is to search out and recommend products that help kids grow – imaginatively, physically, morally and mentally–fairly priced products that are fun, safe and socially sound.

Parents’ Choice Foundation has no commercial ties, maintaining its 28-year tradition as an independent voice.

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EternalToy.com Lets Parents Trade Their Children’s Toys in First Online Toy Swap Meet

By: admin - October 10th, 2011  Filed under: Toys For Holiday Add Comment

Fort Smith, AR (PRWEB) August 18, 2011

EternalToy.com is a new website with a very creative idea: allow kids and parents to swap their old toys with each other, allowing for a less expensive option while keeping the “toy footprint” of the home from growing out of control. EternalToy.com does not charge anything for the toys themselves, but only for the shipping and handling necessary to get the the toy to its new owner. The process is so simple that even a child can do it, and there are several benefits for participating in the first online toy swap meet. There are also multiple incentive programs being offered to encourage people to participate and help grow the online toy trading community.

Many parents and grandparents are over run with old toys. Children grow up, find different pastimes, and sometimes just grow bored with their old toys. These toys accumulate and eventually get placed in yard sales, or just plain thrown out. These toys are usually replaced with newer and more expensive toys that better fit the child’s interest or age. And thus the cycle begins again. EternalToy.com helps break this cycle, by allowing your child to give away his toy to someone else, and in exchange, gets to pick another toy from any toy currently on the site.

The process has been simplified so that even children can understand and participate. Once the child or parent lists a toy and that toy is selected by someone else, the user is emailed a shipping label and packages the toy in a free Flat Rate Priority box. That user then gets a point. That point can be traded in for any other toy on the entire site. Once the user finds a toy that they want, they pay only the shipping and handling required to get their toy to their home.

EternalToy.com is currently offering several incentive programs to help grow the online toy trade community. For a limited time, every toy listed gets the user an entry into a drawing for a $ 50 Toys R Us gift card. There will be one gift card awarded for every 500 entries. Also, EternalToy.com is giving a $ 1 bonus credit each time a listed toy is selected by another user. Finally, EternalToy.com’s referral program is designed to help grow the online toy trade community, while rewarding the users that make it possible. Every referred friend will receive a $ 2 bonus credit when their first listed toy is chosen. The friend that referred them then gets $ 1 too. EternalToy.com will also be announcing an affiliate program soon, that will offer rewards for websites that send users to the site. Those interested in the affiliate program can use the Contact Us form on the website.

EternalToy.com was created by Jeremy Schreckhise, Michael DeSanto, and Chris Dungan of Fort Smith, Arkansas. They are all Information Technology Professionals with over 25 combined years of website design and IT security experience. Jeremy and Michael are also proud parents, who appreciate the benefits trading toys instead of having their homes overrun with unused toys.

Those that would like more information, or would like to begin trading toys can visit http://www.eternaltoy.com

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