It's with some sadness that I'm writing this final post. I launched the Totally Wired blog to support the book, which was published this past March. After over nine months of actively promoting the book, I have decided to put this blog to bed, and focus full time on building Ypulse as a sustainable and hopefully profitable business. I'll definitely continue to post links and information relevant to parents and educators, but it will be in more of a Ypulse context and tone than the posts I've written here. I will leave this blog up as a permanent resource and archival history.

I will continue to work with the media as an expert on all things teen and tech (reporters, feel free to email) and to speak on the topics discussed in the book and on this blog through my lecture agent (Ken Eisenstein @ The American Program Bureau).

A special thanks to the folks at P&G's Beinggirl.com for supporting the Totally Wired Parent/Educator tour, which is officially ending this week.

Thanks to everyone who bought the book, told a friend, posted a link and invited me to their library or school.

Posted by anastasia at 9:21 PM | Permalink

Check out the video interview on CNN.com as well as the accompanying news article!

Posted by anastasia at 7:40 PM | Permalink

I will be on CNN Newsroom tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. EST. So set your Tivos! I'll also be interviewed for CNN's Live Video online Monday at some point between 3 and 3:30 p.m. If someone can snag that video for me, let me know.

Posted by anastasia at 5:30 PM | Permalink

I'm giving my "Totally Wired" talk in Boston at the Brighton branch of the Boston Public Library and need help getting the word out. If you live in Boston, please let folks in your network (especially parents of tweens/teens and educators) know about the appearance. It's free and open to the public...

Tuesday, October 9th, 6:30 p.m.
Faneuil Branch in Brighton
419 Faneuil Street, Boston, MA 02135
Tel: 617-782-6705

Hope to see you there!

The Totally Wired Parent/Educator Tour is being sponsored by Beinggirl.com. Media sponsors are Divine Caroline and ParentingTeensOnline.

Posted by anastasia at 5:54 PM | Permalink

Just wanted to update Ypulse readers interested in what's happening with "the book." P&G's Beinggirl.com is sponsoring my fall book tour, which kicks off next week here in San Mateo. I will also be a guest columnist or "techspert" answering questions and responding to dilemmas where technology plays a role (cyberbullying, should mom and dad get to look at your blog or profile, discovering your BFF said something not so nice about you on her blog...you get the idea) over at Beinggirl.com beginning later this month.

We have two amazing media sponsors for the tour: DivineCaroline.com and ParentingTeensOnline.com.

We are busy scheduling dates around the dates we already have confirmed (see below). I will be speaking to parents and educators at a combination of schools, libraries, bookstores and conferences. Stay tuned to the Totally Wired blog for updates, photos, reflections from the road and more. If you are interested in having me come to a school or library during this time frame (October - November), please contact Nancy Eisenstein at American Program Bureau, who is helping us coordinate. We're hoping to fill in some dates in New England October 8, 9 and 11th as well as more dates in and around the Tri-State Area or Virginia/D.C. October 22-24th.

The Totally Wired Parent/Educator Tour

All bookstore and library events are open to the public. Check back for updates!

Tuesday, September 11 San Mateo High School, San Mateo, CA

Thursday, September 13 Loyola Academy High School in Wilmette, Il.

Wednesday, September 26th, 1 p.m. The Syosset Public Library, Long Island, NY

Wednesday September 26th, 8 p.m. The Book Revue, Long Island, NY

Saturday, September 29th, 2 p.m. Moderating a session about internet safety at Digital Life, New York, NY

Wednesday, October 10th Chickering Elementary School & Dover Schools, Dover, MA

Tuesday, October 16 University School of Nashville, Nashville, TN (my alma matter!)

Wednesday October 17 National School Board Technology + Learning Conference, Nashville, TN

Thursday, October 18 Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School, Memphis, TN

Thursday, October 25 Fredricksburg Academy, Fredricksburg, VA

Tuesday, October 30 Girls For A Change Girls Leadership Summit, San Jose, CA

Saturday, November 10, 3 p.m. The Morgan Hill Library

Thursday, November 29th Prospect Sierra School, El Cerito, CA

Posted by anastasia at 6:34 PM | Permalink

This makes me happy -- it's a very articulate and insightful article for parents about engaging with teens and tweens online called "Fight online world by joining it." Ok, the headline is a little adversarial, but the spirit and content are right on. I especially love this line at the end, "The inspiration for this article came from a book called "Totally Wired: What Teen and Tweens Are Really Doing Online" By Anastasia Goodstein."

I'm so happy the book and its message are having an impact. I was told that it has become required reading for all new teachers at a New Jersey high school and received a note on MySpace that a community in Indiana was using it in a book study. I've even heard of a professor using my Cody's book talk (where I say "um" like a thousand times) in a class. Don't forget there is a discussion guide you can use with the book for study groups, book clubs or parent/teacher groups.

Posted by anastasia at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Check out this article about the upcoming Totally Wired PTA Tour on Divine Caroline. The Totally Wired PTA Tour (sponsored by Beinggirl.com and Real Girls Media) is kicking off in fall 2007 and will most likely be coming to Florida, Virginia, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Boston. If you are a member of a local PTA or other parents group in any of these areas and are interested in having me speak, please contact Greg Tirrell at greg@the-reason.com.

Posted by anastasia at 6:30 AM | Permalink

I will make an official announcement soon that will include the sponsor(s) making this a reality, but I received great news this morning that the funding has been earmarked! This means I will be on the road sporadically speaking about Totally Wired at regional PTA events and school parent events September through early December. I'm excited to have an opportunity to bring a positive message about what teens and tweens are doing online to parents across the country...and hopefully inspire them to engage with their kids about their digital lives. If you are a middle or high school teacher or librarian or PTA member in Michigan, Virginia, Florida, New England or the Tri-State Area, and are interested in having me come to your school this fall, please email Greg Tirell.

Posted by anastasia at 8:21 PM | Permalink

I was in Boston this past week, and had the opportunity to tape an interview about "Totally Wired" for NPR's Here & Now. You can listen to it with Real Audio here.

Plus check out this very nice review from School Library Journal:

School Library Journal - Matthew L. MoffettCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. Adult/High School
Goodstein offers a thoughtful and practical guide to the rich variety of popular tools currently available online. From blogs to instant messaging to social-networking sites and cell phones, she discusses this broad topic in a straightforward yet comprehensive style. Each section opens with basic definitions of the technologies and then quickly demonstrates through interviews how teens make use of them. Later sections address more conceptual issues like bullying online, parental control, and tips for teachers. While the book is geared primarily to parents with little or no knowledge of online tools, Goodstein covers many key issues for teens as well: illegal downloading of music and video, plagiarism, what to do when strangers approach in an online environment, and more. Her conversational writing is accessible and non-condescending. Fortunately, this is not just a gloom-and-doom text highlighting the fears and dangers of online life. Goodstein includes great detail about how tools like blogs, social-networking sites, and podcasts have many positive uses that can enhance a teen's education, creativity, and social life. Her tips and strategies will allow readers to make the most of these technologies in ways that are useful, fun, and, most importantly, safe.

Posted by anastasia at 8:37 PM | Permalink

Listen to today's interview with me and Mary Madden, senior research specialist from The Pew Internet & American Life Project on Minnesota Public Radio, chatting about teens and social networking sites.

Posted by anastasia at 6:16 PM | Permalink

If you're on the east coast, tune in tonight to CN8, The Comcast Network, at 9 p.m. EST for "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle." Here's what we'll be chatting about:

Lynn kicks off our summer series, IYC Breaks It Down, live on location in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This week, she takes a look at MySpace & Facebook to find out the pros and cons of using these online social networks. Why do teens and tweens love these websites? And, what are the dangers associated with it? Tune in and tell us what you think by calling 1-877-CN8-LIVE or by clicking here. If you have something to say about the show before it airs, call our viewer hotline: 1-877-862-9374, press "5" for It's Your Call. Find out about our guests by clicking here.

Posted by anastasia at 8:58 PM | Permalink

This week Jackie Burrell wrote a great piece in the Contra Costa Times attempting to calm parents' fears around the internet and present a realistic look at what tweens and teens are doing online. It was funny because a radio reporter called me shortly afterwards for an interview and basically said, "So you think the internet is safe for kids..."

Do I think the internet is benign at that there are no risks to kids and teens online? Of course not! It's a virtual public created from technology and driven by humans and all the good and bad that goes with human nature. So yes, there are people with bad intentions towards tweens and teens online, just as there are tweens and teens with bad intentions towards each other online. Do I think that risk of kids and teens being abducted by a total stranger based on personal information they posted on their MySpace profile has been exaggerated by the media? Yes.

My message is not to ignore the risks or pull the plug, but for parents to continue to engage and be involved in their children's digital lives. That means warning them about talking to strangers online and being aware that some (though it's a relatively small percentage) might pose as teens. It also means talking about how much personal information you are comfortable having your teen post. Phone number and physical address not ok. Slideshow with their friends hanging out ok on a private profile and with permission from everyone in the photos.

I will be a guest expert on this topic over at PBS Parents in June. You can submit your questions now over on the PBS Parents website.

Finally, it was nice to see Totally Wired recommended in Dr. Dellasega's advice column on Philly Women and to discover this review on Boston Mamas!

Posted by anastasia at 8:27 PM | Permalink

Check out Totally Wired on Guy Kawasaki's How to Change the World blog and Amy Jussel's Shaping Youth. You can also listen to another interview (mp3 file) on KOIT's Positive Parenting with "Mr. Dad." Update: Amy just posted part two of my Totally Wired interview.

Don't forget to download the Totally Wired discussion guide!

Posted by anastasia at 12:32 AM | Permalink

It's always nice to get positive feedback about the book from parents, but it's even cooler when a teen steals his mom's book and gives it the thumbs up. From Margalit, who blogs at What was I THINKING?:

I really liked this book. Oddly, so did my son, who grabbed it out of my hands and read it before I ever got a chance to start reading it. His comment was that Goodstein clearly knew what kids were doing, and was aware that kids haven't changed, only the methods of communications between kids have changed.

Posted by anastasia at 12:30 AM | Permalink

I will be a guest on KQED's Forum for the whole hour. If you're in San Francisco, it's 88.5 FM, or you can stream it at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST here.

Posted by anastasia at 12:26 AM | Permalink

Net Family News, my favorite resource for "totally wired" parents has reviewed the book in their latest newsletter. Check it out. Also, don't forget to check out the "Get Totally Wired" campaign, which encourages readers to buy my book and "MySpace Unraveled," to download the "Totally Wired" discussion guide, chat about these issues at Net Family News's Blog Safety Forum and to put a button on your blog.

Posted by anastasia at 1:48 AM | Permalink

This makes me feel great - especially since it's from such a respected source.

Posted by anastasia at 5:41 PM | Permalink

Now you can virtually attend one of my book talks (this was last week at Cody's in Berkeley) with Fora.tv.

Posted by anastasia at 12:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Check out this audio interview I did about the book (the interviewer is none other than my brother-in-law Marc!). Remember, you can also listen to:

Tips for becoming a totally wired parent
Tips for becoming a totally wired educator

Also, if you are a parent or educator with your own blog, grab the code from this page and post a button to help spread the word.

Finally, just a reminder that I will be doing the following book events in the Bay Area this week:

Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Cover to Cover Booksellers
1307 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 282-8080

Monday, April 16, 7 p.m.
Books Inc.
1375 Burlingame Avenue
Burlingame, CA
(650) 685-4911

Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m.
Pleasanton Library
400 Old Bernal Avenue
Pleasanton, CA
(925) 931-3400

Posted by anastasia at 8:18 PM | Permalink

This past Friday I appeared on ABC's View From The Bay to talk about "What your teenager is really doing online and what you need to know." You can watch the clip online. And don't forget, I have the following Bay Area book talks/signings coming up:

Monday, April 9, 7 p.m.
Cody's Books
1730 Fourth St.
Berkeley, CA
(510) 559-9500

Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.
Borders Books & Music
588 Francisco Blvd, West
San Rafael, CA
(415) 454-1400

Saturday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Cover to Cover Booksellers
1307 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 282-8080

Monday, April 16, 7 p.m.
Books Inc.
1375 Burlingame Avenue
Burlingame, CA
(650) 685-4911

Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m.
Pleasanton Library
400 Old Bernal Avenue
Pleasanton, CA
(925) 931-3400

P.S. I just came across a great new network of educators and others interested in stopping cyberbullying. Check it out! (I'm adding it to my resource links as well).

Posted by anastasia at 6:51 PM | Permalink

Last night was the San Francisco book launch party for Totally Wired. It was a blast -- a very different vibe from NYC, much more of a party since the space was a bar/restaurant vs. a bookstore. I loved both events in different ways. A big thanks to everyone who came out to help celebrate (and buy books!), and especially to Bebo, who sponsored the event - feeding the crowd who stayed until well after 10:30. It was also great to meet Ypulse readers in person like:

Alice from Photobucket
Randi from Facebook
Hunter from YouTube/Google
Tony and Tammy from Slide

There were also folks from Ask.com, Wired, Meebo, Viz and more who got their food and drink on.

And my old crew from Current TV showed up big time. All I can say is that I felt the love. No matter what happens with the book, the fact that so many friends, family and Ypulse fans came out to party made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Check out the party pics below.

The Bebo crew

Robin (from Current TV) and Lisa getting "Totally Wired"

The crowd...

Also, Totally Wired is beginning to spread throughout the blogosphere -- check out Richard's interview with me on SiliconValleyWatcher and Courtney's interview/promotion for the Burlingame Books Inc. appearance I'm doing with Girls For A Change.

Check out all of my upcoming Bay Area appearances here and don't forget to download the discussion guide!

Posted by anastasia at 6:38 PM | Permalink

YALSA (or the Young Adult Library Services Association) just posted a podcast interview with me about the book where I talk about:

* What librarians can learn from Totally Wired.
* What Anastasia found most surprising when working on her book
* Teen safety when it comes to social networking
* Son of DOPA/DOPA Jr. legislation
* What's next after MySpace

I definitely need a new headset/mic. This proves it.

Posted by anastasia at 12:32 AM | Permalink

Week one of the book launch was really fun (the pic to the left is of my in-laws, including my brother-in-law and my mom to my right). I got to celebrate in New York City at the Used Book Cafe with some of my oldest friends (including my best friend from high school -- we joked about how "totally unwired" we were back then) and I did my second book reading/speaking event at the Monroe Township Public Library in New Jersey. I also got to speak to a crowd of mostly women technology executives at the Blogher Business conference about how teens are using social media. What I'm loving the most about actually getting to talk to people about the book is the personal stories they share with me as well as the Q&A.

I was really impressed with how involved a couple from Monroe Township was in setting limits for their 16-year-old daughter. They allow her to be on MySpace, but her profile has to be private. They also have a set amount of time she can spend online, and they have encouraged her to get involved in softball and other offline activities to ensure balance. They are not afraid of her getting mad at them for doing this. She chafes at the limits, but respects them and can live with it.

Another parent told me about how her teacher gave all of the students "tablets," which they are supposed to take home and do all their work on. She was struggling with the school imposing technology use on her home turf and how to set limits when the computer was "for school." Sometimes I think schools purchase technology, distribute it, but maybe don't take the time (or have the time) to engage with parents about how it is meant to be used at home. I think it's really positive for schools to give students laptops who might not have computers at home, but they can't do this without really involving parents in the process.

Along the same lines as setting limits, I think that we are in a time of serious information overload and media saturation. The big question everyone is trying to figure out is whether growing up with all of this technology is a good thing for this generation. What will the effects be? I believe overall it is "good" and exciting, but I also think that it can be too much if teens don't have knowledgeable adults to both set limits and act as guides. This means helping kids and teens to process the media and marketing they consume and to become media literate. Parents can't do this without talking to teens about what sites they visit and spending time online yourself. Once you are online, you can help teens figure out the best college site to search on or help them find a credible internet source to use for their homework. Check out the sidebar on page 144 in chapter six for how to determine the credibility of a website. You can also talk to them about images or marketing they see in all of the media (television, movies, games, etc.) to make sure they aren't just drinking it all in blindly. I think Common Sense Media provides an excellent source to empower parents to be more involved in their children's media consumption.

This week I will be speaking and signing books at The Youth Marketing Mega Event in Huntington Beach as well as at The Spring Institute, a youth librarians' conference in Michigan. Upcoming Bay Area bookstore appearances include:

Wednesday, April 4 SF book launch party sponsored by Bebo at The Public in San Francisco, CA, at 7 p.m.

Monday, April 9 Cody's Books in Berkeley, CA, at 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 12 Borders Books & Music in San Rafael, CA, at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 14 Cover to Cover Booksellers in Noe Valley/San Francisco, CA, at 7 p.m.

Monday, April 16 Books Inc. in Burlingame, CA, at 7 p.m.

If you have already bought the book, thank you! Please consider reviewing it on Amazon, and don't forget to download the discussion guide.

More pics from week one of the book launch:

At the book launch party...

My brother-in-law Marc, looking "totally engrossed"...

Talking to parents at the Monroe Township Public Library...

Posted by anastasia at 7:18 PM | Permalink

I did a Skype interview with DK over at MediaSnackers about Totally Wired yesterday -- I guess my headset isn't too good because it sounds like I'm inside a tin can.

Posted by anastasia at 9:31 PM | Permalink

Largehearted boy, a blog that does something really interesting by asking authors to create soundtracks for their books, asked me to come up with my soundtrack for Totally Wired. I had a blast doing it -- check it out!

Posted by anastasia at 9:57 PM | Permalink

Just a reminder post that the madness has begun. Today at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST, I will be speaking on a virtual panel as a part of YALSA's (Young Adult Library Services Association) Teen Tech Week events at the outdoor auditorium at Info Island I in Second Life. To register for this free event, send an email to yalsa@ala.org and put "TTW virtual event" in the subject line.

This coming Saturday I will be speaking on the panel Under 18: Blogs, Wikis and Online Social Networks for Youth late Saturday morning. I will also be signing books on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the South By Bookstore. So stop by and say hello. And, if you're in Austin, but are not attending SXSW, you can come see me Monday evening (7 p.m.) at BookWoman. The event is sponsored by GenAustin but is open to the public.

Posted by anastasia at 6:23 PM | Permalink

I just wanted to post my March book promotion schedule so you'll know where I'll be. I will be opening up book launch party RSVPs in the next week or so, but any other bookstore or public library event is open to the general public:

Saturday, March 10th - Speaking on a panel at SXSW, book signing at 4:30 p.m. at the Day Stage Cafe in the Austin Convention Center

Monday, March 12th - Evening event at BookWoman in Austin with GENaustin

Tuesday, March 20th - NYC book launch party sponsored by MyYearbook at The Used Book Cafe, SoHo

Wednesday, March 21 - Speaking at the Monroe Township Library in Monroe Township, NJ

Friday March 23 Speaking on a panel at Blogher Business

Monday, March 26 Speaking at the Youth Marketing Mega Event

Thursday, March 29 Speaking at the Michigan Youth Librarians Spring Institute in Frankenmuth, MI

Wednesday, April 4 SF book launch party sponsored by Bebo at LJ's upstairs in the Sony Metreon

Wednesday, April 25 Evening event at Borders Books & Music in LaGrange, IL

Thursday, April 26 Evening event at Borders Books & Music in Evanston, IL

Friday, April 27 Giving two workshops at the Prairie Area Library System [PALS] Day outside of Chicago

If you would like me to do an event at your library or local bookstore, please contact Courtney Fischer at St. Martin's Press.

Posted by anastasia at 9:52 PM | Permalink