Childhood 2.0: The Living Experiment - A movie screening for parents Weds, July 26 at 5:30 PM

Denise Spencer (@DSpencerFSC) tweeted on Sun, Jul 23, 2023:

"THIS Wednesday night attend the viewing of a documentary on children & internet safety. 

It's certainly a heavy topic, but critically important. Professionals will offer a comforting space for viewing and guide the discussion in an inclusive and solution-focused way."

--------------------

"Parents: Join us for an important film screening of Childhood 2.0, followed by a discussion with Local Parents.

Childhood 2.0 is required viewing for anyone who wants to better understand the world their children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age. Featuring actual parents and kids as well as industry-leading experts in child safety and development, this documentary dives into the real-life issues facing kids today — including cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more." 

Childhood 2.0: The Living Experiment - A movie screening for parents Weds, July 26 at 5:30 PM

Shared from _ https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1683240361420894208

Find out if you or someone you know qualifies for discounted internet service

Eligible households can get discounted high-speed internet service.

Find out if you can get help with your internet service costs If you or someone you know needs help paying for internet service, you may qualify for a monthly discount on a new or existing internet service plan through a government program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). You may also qualify for a one-time device discount of up to $100, to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Do I Qualify? To apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.gov or call 1-877-384-2575 to request an application. Once your application is approved, you can contact a participating internet service provider to start receiving your monthly discount. Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Research suggests increased broadband Internet access is associated with improved health outcomes. Broadband makes it easier for people to take advantage of information on Medicare.gov, like comparing the quality of nursing homes and hospitals, or finding the health plan that's best for you. Sincerely, The Medicare Team This message is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was created and distributed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. You're receiving this message because you signed up for email updates from the Medicare Team.

Washington Post: On TikTok "is no more risky than Facebook. That’s not entirely a compliment"

"As calls to ban TikTok grow, should you quit the app?

For the average user, TikTok is no more risky than Facebook. That’s not entirely a compliment.

I’ve been hearing from Washington Post readers concerned that the Chinese-owned app is handing our data to the Communist Party. So I looked under the hood at what TikTok knows about us, and quizzed both the company and the senators calling on us to stop using it.

So far, the arguments to ban TikTok are more rooted in fears than actual evidence. The best thing that could ​​come of this scare is that Congress finally realizes we need privacy rules and guardrails for kids across all apps — not just the ones with Chinese owners."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/03/tiktok-delete-advice/

 

To TikTok, or not to TikTok, that is the question. (Video: Illustration by Elena Lacey/The Washington Post; iStock)

GBH Forum Network: "Meme Wars: how the internet changed politics from Occupy to the insurrection"

GBH Forum Network (@GBHForumNetwork) tweeted

Just published! 👉 https://t.co/kXqZEphvrK  or https://forum-network.org/lectures/meme-wars-how-internet-changed-politics-occupy-insurrection/ 

A talk with @ShorensteinCtr @BostonJoan and @brianfriedberg moderated by @BostonGlobe @anissagardizy8 on meme wars and their impact on American democracy. https://t.co/w7BAfa3fe3

Shared from Twitter ->   https://twitter.com/GBHForumNetwork/status/1604964817072279582

What did you consent to do? Use of social media tools getting riskier - links to 3 articles

Lensa is not a good thing, but if you submitted photos, it's too late now

"This week, millions came face to face with AI-generated versions of themselves thanks to the app Lensa, which uses machine learning to spit out illustrations based on photos you provide. People took to social media to reflect on how the portraits made them feel — and who stands to lose when AI art goes mainstream.

“I think I have a fairly decent self-image, but I looked at the images and I was like, ‘Why do I look so good?’” said James, a Twitch streamer who declined to give his last name to keep his social media presence separate from his day job. “I think it shaved off a lot of my rough edges.”

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/08/lensa-ai-portraits/

Lensa - article 2

"Sure, that drunk selfie you posted on Instagram might be personally embarrassing. Now imagine that selfie is also training fuel for an artificial intelligence system that helps put an innocent person in jail.

Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence. What you do with your face, your home security videos, your words and the photos from your friend’s art show are not just about you. Almost entirely without your true consent, information that you post online or that is posted about you is being used to coach AI software. These technologies could let a stranger identify you on sight or generate custom art at your command."

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/09/chatgpt-lensa-ai-ethics/

If you didn't know how you were being tracked, this lends some insight to the systems involved:

"Tens of thousands of websites belonging to government agencies, Fortune 500 companies and other organizations host Twitter computer code that sends visitor information to the social media giant, according to research first reported by The Cybersecurity 202. 

And virtually none of them have used a Twitter feature to put restrictions on what the company can do with that data, said digital ad analysis firm Adalytics, which conducted the study.

The presence of Twitter’s code — known as the Twitter advertising pixel — has grown more troublesome since Elon Musk purchased the platform."

Continue reading the article (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/12/08/twitter-data-tracker-inhabits-tens-thousands-websites/

So how can you protect your privacy in this new social media world? Two quick easy steps:

• Don't fall to any one of the meme's (What Game of Thrones character are you?) or tools like Lensa
• Install DuckDuckGo (https://duckduckgo.com) on your browser to prevent the tracking cookies from doing their thing

Lensa interpretations of reporter Tatum Hunter. These images were
created by AI. They were not taken by a camera.

   

The Stanley Chilson film archives are now available online

On a random visit to the Franklin Historical Museum, you could walk in, find the movie screen down and one of the many Stanley Chilson films playing. Mostly black & white, the more recent ones in color, you could step back in time for a parade or emergency response by the Fire Dept. Now those films are available online and you can watch anytime you wish.

Via Franklin Observer:  

"Lifelong resident, Stanley Grant Chilson, was a graduate of Dean Academy in Franklin and Worcester Polytechnic Institute -- and he lived for photography. Still camera images he took in profusion, capturing in detail the activities of the Franklin Fire Department -- and other departments in the region. He also assembled an annual collection of film clips for each year from 1935 to 1963.  His films, preserved, and then digitized in the early 2000s, have now been made available online -- just  few clicks away -- on the Franklin Library's Internet Archive page, by Reference Librarian Vicki Earls.

You can access the collection at any time by  selecting Local History and Genealogy from the left hand menu on the Franklin Library website. From there, click on Stanley Chilson Films of Franklin online at the Internet Archive."

Continue reading the announcement online -> 

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/132667/franklin-librarys-chilson-time-machine-now-and-running

Who was Stanley Chilson? Another posting in the Franklin Observer shares some of the background on his life in Franklin.

"The term Paparazzi was just coming into existence toward the end of Stanley Chilson’s career as a photographer chronicling Franklin, his home town, as well as other towns in the region. The credit or blame for the term goes to Federico Fellini who’s La Dolce Vita included an obsessive photographer of that surname.

And while Chilson might have objected to the pejorative associations of the term, the general idea of an ever-ready photographer continually catching life as it was being lived fits him perfectly.

And who was Stanley Grant Chilson? For a man with a definite public persona, not much is apparent about him other than his early and consistent passion for photography, a passion only rivaled by his interest in the fire service, a topic he chronicled exhaustively.... there are literally hundreds of photographs of fire and rescue activities in the town in the years he was active."

Continue reading about Stanley online ->

https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/132917/hometown-history-107-stanley-chilson-peoples-paparazzi

How to get to the film archives?

1. From the Library home page   https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library
2. To the Genealogy Club page   https://vbuchanio.wixsite.com/franklinlibgenclub/testimonials
3. To the Internet Archive page for Stanley Chilson   https://archive.org/details/@stanley_chilson_films_of_franklin

There is also a direct link from the Franklin Matters "Other Resource" section

The Stanley Chilson film archives are now available online

Washington Post: "See if you qualify for discounted internet service"

"If you or someone you know has been struggling financially or if someone in your household receive certain kinds of government benefits, you might be owed a discount on your internet bill.

Help Desk: Technology coverage that makes tech work for you

For many families, that means savings of $30/month. And for those living on tribal lands, that discount is as high as $75/month.

These price breaks come courtesy of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which launched earlier this year to try to narrow the country’s digital divide. And even if you don’t benefit from the program directly, you could be doing someone in your life a real favor by letting them know the ACP exists, so take minute with us to learn how it works."

Continue reading the Washington Post article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/10/14/how-to-sign-up-acp-internet-discount/

Washington Post: "See if you qualify for discounted internet service"

Get Internet -> Claim Your Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit

"As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden and Vice President Harris worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. ACP-eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. 

To deliver maximum cost savings to families, the Biden-Harris Administration has secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month. Eligible families who pair their ACP benefit with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at no cost."

Find out if you qualify for this program ->  https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/

 

Get Internet -> Claim Your Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry of Deeds Internet Research

Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell again reminds Norfolk County residents that you do not have to spend time and money driving to the Registry to view land records since they are available online via the Registry's internet-based document research system at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

"Providing secure, accurate and accessible land record information, coupled with our on-site customer service center, is central to our work here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds," stated Register O'Donnell.

Elaborating on the Registry's research capabilities, O'Donnell noted, "Users are able to research land record information by multiple options, including the name of the property owner and property address. Members of the public can access our internet-based document research system for many endeavors such as determining property ownership, researching land titles, reviewing land plans (only plans which are recorded at the Registry) and finally to confirm that documents affecting a person's property, such as mortgage discharges, have been recorded."

Through technology and the Registry of Deeds modernization initiatives there are a tremendous amount of documents for viewing.  For example, our website  www.norfolkdeeds.org allows people to look up and view over 13 million scanned images with some 41 million pages of land documents dating back to the Registry's beginnings in 1793.  Our Registry on-site IT Technology Department and Customer Service Center work to help anyone in need of internet research help find what they are looking for.

"A few years back, the Registry of Deeds completed a project which transcribed all our hand-written land documents that were recorded from 1793 to 1900. Prior to this effort, these hand-written documents were in many cases difficult to near impossible to read. With the transcription project completed, over 450,000 hand written documents were transcribed.  Both the handwritten and the transcribed text can be viewed from the comfort of your home or business via our website www.norfolkdeeds.org."

It should be noted that while the transcribers made a best effort to translate these hard to read documents, their accuracy is not guaranteed. "These transcribed documents," noted O'Donnell, "are not legal documents in and of itself, and are not considered binding on the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds or its employees. It is considered merely a convenient reference for Registry users. For documentation purposes, users should refer to the scanned image of the original document instead of the transcribed image."

The Registry's website also provides information on how to obtain certified copies of land documents. The Registry's certified copy charges are $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 per document for postage.

In conclusion, Register O'Donnell stated, "Our core mission here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds includes providing our users with first-class customer service each and every day. Norfolk County residents and businesses deserve a Registry of Deeds that provides them with access to land record information in an easily accessible and consumer friendly manner. The Registry website www.norfolkdeeds.org does that by bringing the Registry records into your homes and businesses."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

Register O'Donnell Promotes Registry of Deeds Internet Research

ICYMI - Recent MA News

In case you missed some recent MA news:

Annual reading of Frederick Douglass

We are excited to once again co-sponsor the annual reading of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Join us this Friday (July 9) at noon at the @MAAHMuseum & listen or participate in a community reading of this thought-provoking speech.

Hope to see you there! https://t.co/UCtvu357cL

Other resources on the Fredrick Douglas speech

https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/podcast/what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july

annual reading of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

#VaxExpress is back

The #VaxExpress is back, with stops at selected commuter rail stations July 7-11. Free food, music, a $25 grocery store gift card, and a chance for prizes. Details: https://t.co/nu6MgmCnii @MBTA @KeolisBoston @BCBSMA #TrustTheFacts #GetTheVax https://t.co/Gn3vBvsknx

Federal Internet subsidy available

Few in Massachusetts taking advantage of new federal Internet subsidy https://t.co/8MBtTBKVAI

(https://twitter.com/BostonGlobe/status/1412917397107904518?s=03) 

VaxMillions Giveaway registration is open

Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway
Win $1 million or a college scholarship
Get vaccinated today! You can't play if you aren't vaccinated.
Registration is now open
ENTER TO WIN NOW  https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-vaxmillions-giveaway

"Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway" registration is open

 

MA Consumer Affairs: COVID-19 vaccine survey alert; Emergency broadband benefit announced

"FRAUD ALERT: COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Scam"

"Distribution of the approved COVID-19 vaccines is well underway, but fraudsters are gaining access to vaccine-related data almost as fast as the rollout. According to Google’s vaccination statistics, over 7 million people in Massachusetts have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – that’s over 60% of the state’s population.

After getting the first dose of any approved iteration of the COVID-19 vaccine, some consumers may receive imposter emails or texts posing as Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson and Johnson. These messages often claim to be “post-vaccination surveys,” however none of the current vaccine providers are conducting surveys at this time. Special Agent William McNamara from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says “consumers receive the surveys via email and text message, and are told that, as a gift for filling out the survey, they can choose from various free prizes, such as an iPad Pro.” This is a scam – do not respond!"

Continue reading the article online http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/fraud-alert-covid-19-vaccine-survey-scam/

"The Federal Communications Commission Offers New Emergency Broadband Benefit"

"Staying connected has taken on a whole new meaning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders to shelter in place over the past year have created a surge in our digital landscape. This transition happened quickly and caused some to be left behind as work, school, health, and social activities moved to online platforms. To make internet service more affordable, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is providing Emergency Broadband (EBB) discounts to struggling families through a temporary program which just launched this week.

The EBB will provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $50 towards broadband service and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.  See link for EBB details: GetEmergencyBroadband.org."

Continue reading the article online  https://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/the-federal-communications-commission-offers-new-emergency-broadband-benefit/

"pandemic baby bust" and "broadband access... an equity issue"

"Signs are pointing to a sizable pandemic baby bust" 

"The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the country into an economic recession and an unprecedented restructuring of our work and social lives. Early on, some likened the public health crisis to a blizzard, imagining that people would stay home, cozy up with their romantic partners and make babies.

These playful visions have given way to a more sobering reality: The pandemic’s serious disruption of people’s lives is likely to cause “missing births” — potentially a lot of them. Add these missing births to the country’s decade-long downward trend in annual births and we can expect consequential changes to our economy and society in the years to come. Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/opinion/coronavirus-baby-bust.html

"broadband access... an equity issue"

"Newly confirmed US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Thursday the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted significant gaps in broadband Internet access across the country, and vowed to take a “bold” approach to expand that service.

In her first television interview as commerce secretary, the former Rhode Island governor said on MSNBC that her first order of business is getting Americans back to work after a year where unemployment skyrocketed because of restrictions implemented to curb the virus.

“We need to go fast and we need to go big,” Raimondo said, referring to broadband access. She called it an equity issue."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/04/metro/raimondo-we-need-go-fast-we-need-go-big-expand-broadband-us/

5 Tips for Safer WIFI via EWG (video)

"Whether working remotely, attending school online or just staying in touch with family and friends during the pandemic, you’re probably also relying more than ever on Wi-Fi and cell service. 

While these technologies can empower us to keep working and learning while staying safe, they also come with their own risks.

Learn 5 simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure to radiofrequency radiation while staying connected.

To keep up with EWG's latest research on radiofrequency radiation, head to www.ewg.org/cellphone-radiation"

Direct video link =  https://youtu.be/vPmT-TPRqZQ

Go Viral Game

"A 5-minute game that helps protect you against COVID-19 misinformation"

Fun and insightful to play. Give it a try. How well do you do?

https://www.goviralgame.com/en/share

 

 

Note: I share this cautiously. If you don't know or recognize how things do go viral, you will find out. As with any tool, this information can be used for good or not. Your choice. Please make a good one. 

 

Go Viral Game

 

 

Boston Globe: "Mass. offers Internet access help for unemployed"

 From the Boston Globe:

"Massachusetts is offering to help the unemployed find work by providing subsidies for Internet access, and in some cases doling out free equipment.

Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced a program Tuesday at the Springfield Innovation Center that will offer subsidies and tech assistance to unemployed residents, with the goal of helping them find work.

Unemployed individuals are eligible for a subsidy if they live in a Charter or Comcast service territory; residents of other communities may be eligible for a personal cellular hot spot from Verizon. The agency implementing the new service, MassHire, is also connecting individuals with a vendor that is handing out Chromebooks if they do not have a device at home."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/05/business/mass-offers-internet-access-help-unemployed/

Gov Baker tweeted Tuesday with the announcement as one of three made that day  https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1346562007781298177

"Today our Administration launched 3 programs to boost internet connectivity for residents across MA:

• Rightwards arrow New subsidy to assist job-seekers within @MassHireCenter
•  who face tech barriers
• Rightwards arrow WiFi hotspots targeted to Gateway Cities
• Rightwards arrow Expanding @MassBroadband hotspots in Western MA"

 

3 programs to boost internet connectivity for residents across MA

Boston Globe: MA "lawmakers oppose Comcast’s plan to charge home Internet users extra"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Dozens of Massachusetts lawmakers are calling on Comcast to rescind its plan to charge home Internet users extra fees for exceeding monthly “data caps.”

“We strongly urge Comcast to discontinue this plan, and to reconsider any future attempts at imposing a data cap,” 71 state senators and representatives said in a letter to Comcast this week.

Subscribers to Comcast’s Xfinity home broadband service will have to pay extra if they use more than 1.2 terabytes of data per month. While the new fees will technically take effect Jan. 1, Comcast is waiving them for several months to prepare customers."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/31/business/mass-lawmakers-warn-comcast-new-data-caps/ 

“They go where the money is”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Places such as Baltimore and Atlanta have been hit with massive cyber-attacks in recent years, but it’s not just major cities that are at risk of losing data or having their systems hacked. Smaller municipalities are also targets.

According to a 2019 report from the International City Management Association, approximately one in three local governments do not know how frequently their information system is subject to attacks, incidents and breaches. Of those that do, 60 percent report they are subject to daily cyber-attacks, often hourly or more.

Tiffany Schoenike, chief operating officer for the National Cyber Security Alliance, warns smaller municipalities are just as likely as larger cities to be the target of an attack. This could include anything from sensitive data being lost or stolen to systems being locked with the only recourse paying the hacker to regain access.

“Sometimes funding levels make things worse,” Schoenike said. “This could be from not being able to afford the right kinds of technology, or not being able to hire the best people for the job.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190723/as-new-threats-arise-is-your-local-government-safe-from-cyber-attacks

One of the keys to successful online processing is to ensure the site you are dealing with uses https. The Town of Franklin site does use this feature:  https://franklinma.viewpointcloud.com/

One of the keys to successful online processing is to ensure the site you are dealing with uses https

Internet & Social Media Safety For Students - March 27

FREE Event - Grades 6-8

Internet & Social Media Safety for Students Grades 6-8 Register for FREE Wednesday, March 27 6 PM - 7:30 PM Franklin High School Social networks involve a lot of sharing, including photos, videos, links, and personal information - and it's not always good. Many kids and teens enjoy sharing these things with their friends, but they may actually be sharing information with more people than they realize. For example, accepting friend requests from strangers. This means their 'friends' may not be people they can trust. This workshop is FREE but registration is required. https://reg.abcsignup.com/view/cal7a.aspx?ek=&ref=&aa=&sid1=&sid2=&as=79&wp=426&tz=&ms=&nav=&cc=&cat1=&cat2=&cat3=&aid=FPSLLI&rf=

Lifelong Community Learning - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Internet & Social Media Safety for Students - March 27

Lifelong Community Learning is offering a class aimed at informing middle school students about the importance of being careful when using the Internet & social media. The workshop will be conducted by community service officers from the Franklin Police Department.

Social networks involve a lot of sharing, including photos, videos, links, and personal information - and it’s not always good. Many kids and teens enjoy sharing these things with their friends, but they may actually be sharing information with more people than they realize. For example, accepting friend requests from strangers. This means their "friends" may not be people they can trust.

Internet & Social Media Safety for Students, will take place on Wednesday, March 27 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Franklin High School. Participation is open to all area middle school students. The class is FREE but registration is required.

For more information and to register, go online www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com and click on Lifelong Community Learning. You can also call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480.

Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing diverse and enriched education and experiences for all area residents and children – a resource for all ages.

Internet & Social Media Safety for Students - March 27

Internet Archive holds copies of the FHS Yearbooks

The Internet Archive is a wonderful resource. I recently found out that the Franklin High School yearbooks can be found there.

https://archive.org/details/franklinhighschool

Internet Archive holds copies of the FHS Yearbooks

Thanks for the tip via Twitter
https://twitter.com/Franklin_HS_Lib/status/1052634965433864194