How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online By BCP Staff Talking with your kids about your family's rules and expectations is key to helping them establish good online habits. Some parents use parental controls to reinforce those good habits — and create safer online spaces for their kids to learn and play. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/how-use-parental-controls-keep-your-kid-safer-online?utm_source=govdelivery

    

How to use parental controls to keep your kid safer online

Attention Parents: Check out the Interent Safety event April 3; it comes with free kid care & a meal

Vis Donna Grady:

"Franklin Community,

Most of you know me as the President of the Franklin Education Association. I'm also Chair of the Massachusetts PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.

Interent Safety event April 3

THIS coming Thursday, April 3, from 5:30 -7pm at FHS, my committee is hosting a FREE Family Safety Awareness Forum about Online Safety and CyberBullying. Our doors open at 5:30 for child care, with the adult program running from 6-7pm. We have food for the kids and adults and activities for the kids. We're giving away an IPad as well.

Please come learn how to identify online dangers and how to protect your kids and family."

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16TrhfTjkM/

You can listen to Donna & I talk about the importance of this event

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/attnetion-parents-check-out-interent.html

Attention Parents: Check out the Interent Safety event April 3; comes with free kid care & a meal (audio)

FM #1416 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1416 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Donna Grady about the internet safety event coming up April 3. We recorded this talk in the Franklin TV Studios on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 

Most folks know of Donna as the Franklin Education Association (FEA) unit president and as a kindergarten at Keller, previously Jefferson, and teaching for over 35 years.

Donna has a new role as Chair of the MASS PTA Health & Wellness Committee. Wearing this hat, she heard of the grant opportunity to bring this program to Franklin and neighboring communities.

Parents with school age children are the target for this training/awareness. It is a free night with childcare and meals provided 

The recording runs about 24 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1416-donna-grady-on-the-social-network-forum-apr-3-03-25-25/

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

Donna’s school contact info -> gradyd@franklinps.net 

MASS PTA page -> https://www.massachusettspta.org/

MASS PTA Committees page -> https://www.massachusettspta.org/massachusetts-pta-committees/ 

Link to register for April 3   https://share.hsforms.com/2226Sv7n_QoyNDp00gcpumwgbr 

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P7-y7T1nTm44l3WTh7SzD7ZWccJa4ce8/view?usp=drive_link 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know 

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

MassDOT Alerts Customers of Smishing Scam

Dear EZDriveMA Customer,

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

MassDOT urges customers to be cautious about email, text, and phone scams demanding payment of outstanding toll balances. Some attempts have been made to trick customers into sharing credit card numbers and other sensitive information by directing them to a website to pay their outstanding balances. MassDOT strongly encourages customers not to click the link contained in those messages.

Please Note: The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

        •       EZDriveMA will never send invoices by text
        •       EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
        •       All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

This smishing scam is part of a series of smishing scams that the FBI is aware of:
https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240412

The FBI recommends individuals that receive the fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the IC3, https://www.ic3.gov/, be sure to include:
        •       The phone number from where the text originated.
        •       The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

MassDOT Alerts Customers of Smishing Scam

5. If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

We encourage all customers to stay alert to these types of scams and to contact us at https://www.ezdrivema.com/ with any questions about EZDriveMA notifications.

Colorized film of Stanley Chilson, Franklin 1936 (video)

"I colorized , restored, and created sound design for this video of the town of Franklin, Massachusetts in 1936, we can clearly see what's happening in broad daylight, Street Scene Video Restoration Process: ✔ FPS boosted to 60 frames per second ✔ Image resolution boosted up to HD ✔ Improved video sharpness and brightness ✔ Colorized only for the ambiance (not historically accurate) ✔sound design added only for the ambiance ✔restoration:(stabilisation,denoise,cleand,deblur) Please, be aware that colorization colors are not real and fake, colorization was made only for the ambiance and do not represent real historical data. B&W Video Source: Internet Archive (Stanley Chilson)"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/nc64ZaQXX6s

Colorized film of Stanley Chilson, Franklin 1936 (video)

Franklin Public Schools (FPS): 2024-25 Back to School Welcome and Checklist

screenshot of phone app item

Yes, the Franklin School District has a new website and a new Mobile app (iPhone & Android only - not optimized for tablets). 

School district info is being added, adjusted, and updated as we write this. There will be growing pains, that is inevitable with any webpage. Trust me, I've been involved in more than a few and lived with this one for 18+ years.

Key item: There is a new update to be aware of:  2024-25 Back to School Welcome and Checklist

Find the update directly here ->  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IHqoHQ9eixoJUiv8yJSXPRgrDHESgPU3/view

Franklin Police share sources for Internet safety with children

The Franklin Police Dept have two detectives assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force created the SMART Tips for Parents guide to promote Internet safety.

Visit for the resources available

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/programs/internet-crimes-against-children-task-force-program

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/C3A5wZWRF_F/

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