Santa Claus is Dead. Amazon is the New Santa.

Santa Claus is dead. Amazon is the New Santa. – Clean Cut Media

Sorry kids, Santa Claus is just pen name for Amazon.

This image below needs very little explanation.

We are in a brave new world folks.

What is the first word that comes to your mind when you see this image?

Children Santa Letter Amazon Internet

ps. for those who are dying to know what that gift is.. it’s a $20 remote controlled car.

pps. also it came to light that this letter was not written by a kid at all but a comedian.

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Cyber Monday Sets a New Sales Record. Mobile Soars.

Was it ever in doubt?

This year’s Cyber Monday set a new one-day online shopping record.

Cyber Monday 2013 Sales IBM

Cyber Monday Sales Statistics in 2013

Cyber Monday Online Sales increased by over 20% year over year. Sales were boosted by a strong 55% growth in mobile sales according to IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark. Mobile sales accounted for 17% of all total online sales. 11.7% of sales were from tablets. Amazing.

It seems inevitable that every year, Black Friday & Cyber Monday will hit new sales records. The continued growth is remarkable considering cyber monday spending surpassed $1 Billion back in 2010.

Cyber Monday online sales accounted for 31.5% more than Black Friday. The entire thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday period was up 16.5% year over year.

Top Five Cities for Cyber Monday Sales:

New York led the way, followed by Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta

iOS vs. Android

Fun fact. IOS users spent $120.29 per order compared to $106.70 per order for Android. iOS traffic accounted for 22.4 percent of all online traffic compared to 9.1% for Android.

Cat on Laptop Cyber Monday ShoppingCyber Monday Statistics by Industry

Department Stores: Cyber Monday online sales grew 70% versus 2012. Mobile sales grew 52%.
Health & Beauty: Cyber Monday online sales grew 65% versus 2012. Mobile sales grew a whopping 84%.
Home Goods: Cyber Monday online sales grew 27% versus 2012. Mobile sales grew 41%.
Apparel: Cyber Monday online sales grew 23% versus 2012. Mobile sales grew 58%.

  • Did you shop on Cyber Monday?
  • Did you get a good deal?
  • Did you shop on a tablet or phone?
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Sobering Cyberbulling Statistics [Infographic]

Sobering Cyber Bullying Statistics

1 in 6 teens are cyberbullied.

Teens who are cyberbullied are 3,5x more likely to attempt suicide than those who aren’t bulled.

Cyberbullying is defined as the “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell
phones, and other electronic devices.” Currently 80% of teens are on cell phones and on social media sites giving them the almost unhindered ability to communicate with one another for good or bad. The most sobering of them all is the higher likelihood of suicide from those cyberbullied than those who are not, or even bullied off-line. Check out this cyberbulling infographic below.

cyberbullying online infographic

More Cyberbullying Thoughts

Cyberbullying is a real problem that often goes unnoticed by parents. We all remember our childhood and the cruelty the young are capable of. Just imagine the same thing played out online where users can be anonymous and the stage is not just 1 or 2 kids but the entire school. In previous studies some have shown that 1 in 4 kids have been targets of cyberbullying and 2 of 3 teens have witnessed cruel behavior online. Yet only 10% of parents are aware that their own teens are on the receiving end of these cyberbullying behaviors. This cannot happen.

Cyberbullying Statistics

  • 1 in 6 (16.2%) of teens are cyber bullied [22.1% girls / 10.8% boys]
  • 18.6% of white [25.9% girls / 11.8% boys]
  • 8.9% of blacks [11% girls / 6.9% boys]
  • 13.6% of hispanics [18% girls / 9.5% boys]
  • 15.5% of 9th graders [22.6% girls / 8.9% boys]
  • 18% of 10th graders [24.2% girls / 12.6% boys]
  • 16% of 11th graders [19.8% girls / 12.4% boys]
  • 15% of 12th graders [21.5% girls / 8.8% boys]

Off-line bullying rates

  • 1 in 5 are bullied offline [22% girls / 18% boys]

Top 15 Highest Cyberbullying Rates by State

  1. New Hampshire [21.6%]
  2. Maine [19.7%]
  3. South Dakota [19.6%]
  4. Montana [19.2%]
  5. Indiana [18.7%]
  6. Wyoming [18.7%]
  7. Louisiana [18%]
  8. Michigan [18%]
  9. Kentucky [17.4%],
  10. North Dakota [17.4%]
  11.  Idaho [17%]
  12. Arkansas [16.7%]
  13. Utah [16.6%]
  14. Wisconsin [16.6%],
  15. Iowa [16.8%],

Current Cyberbullying Laws

  • 49/50 states have bullying laws (Montana does not)
  • 47/50 include electronic harassment.
  • 44/50 include school sanctions.
  • 18/50 specifically include “cyberbullying”
  • 12/50 include criminal sanctions.

cyberbullying childCyberbulling and Suicide Correlations

  • Teenagers who are cyberbullied are 3 times more likely to commit suicide.
  • Teenagers who are traditionally bullied are 2 times more likely to commit suicide.

Suicide attempts that require treatment:

  • 1.5% for youths not bullied
  • 2.3% for youths physically bullied
  • 5.4% for youths cyberbullied
  • 6% for youths physically and cyberbullied
  • Only 1/10 victims ask their parents for help.
  • Leaving 9/10 to deal with the abuse alone.

Tips for Parents against Cyberbulling

Tips for Educators against Cyberbulling

  • Teach that cyberbullying is wrong.
  • Listen and respond to all reports of bullying.
  • Have students work on projects against cyberbullying.
  • Have a system for complaints to be documented.
  • Host speakers on the topic of bullying.
  • Ensure that school is a safe place; free from cyberbullying.

Chime In: What Cyberbulling Statistic is the most Sobering to you?

  • Have you or your children ever been targets of cyberbulling?
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Apple iPad Air Pencil TV Ad Videos

Apple iPad Air Image

What Makes a Good TV Ad Commercial?

I love this this iPad Air Pencil Ad video. It’s beautiful, it artsy, it brings out emotions, it shares how the product could be useful and it’s memorable.

I’ve always thought that a good TV commercial should be able to connect the viewer with the product in several ways.

  1. Connect thru a specific emotion that the company wants to tie to the product
  2. Connect thru showing the relevance of the product to the viewer by painting a picture of how they may use the product
  3. Connect by showing off features of the product the user would get excited about
  4. Connect with either humor, art, or some form of creativity to make it memorable
  5. In the end, viewer should remember not just the commercial but the actual product!

Apple iPad Air Pencil TV Ad

Thus I’ve always been a fan of Apple Commercials. For the most part, they do a fantastic job of hitting each of these points. I can think of a more than a few commercials that simply shoot to capture an emotion while teaching you nothing about the product. These are the commercials you rave to your friends, but forget what product it was for. Others show a lot of functionality, features and specs but overload the viewer with things they aren’t all that interested in thus never answering the question of why I would want or need this product.

  • See some of their latest ads below and share your thoughts.
  • Any other examples of very good (or very bad) commercials?
  • Which company does way too much of one of the above, but not enough of another?

Apple – Pencil – iPad Air TV Commercial

Apple – Life on iPad – iPad TV Commercial

Apple Product Introduction Video

Also these “how it’s built” videos really helps build the perception that Apple products are high quality, high class, and makes me want to buy one even if I don’t need it.

Apple – Introducing iPad Air

Apple – Making the All-New Mac Pro

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Facebook Now Allows Teens to Post Publicly

Facebook Like Dislike Image

Facebook allows Teenagers to Post Publically

Facebook is now allowing teenagers of age 13 to 17 to post publicly and get followers on their profiles. Previously, teens were not allowed to post publicly. They were only able to share content with friends, friends of friends and custom groups. Now teenagers are allowed to post anything they’d like for the whole world to see.

Facebook LogoGood Idea or Bad Idea?
Like or Dislike?

On a Facebook blog post: “Teens are among the savviest people using of social media, and whether it comes to civic engagement, activism, or their thoughts on a new movie, they want to be heard… While only a small fraction of teens using Facebook might choose to post publicly, this update now gives them the choice to share more broadly, just like on other social media services.”

The change happened on Wed (10/16). It does not affect historical posts.

Can 13-17 Year Olds Discern the Dangers?

We know the dangers of Facebook especially for children. How one bad photo can haunt you for the rest of your life. One piece of information you probably shouldn’t have shared leading to destroyed reputations or even burglary of homes. Inappropriate links shared by other friends. Will 13-17 year olds have the discernment to discriminately know what is publicly appropriate to post on Facebook and what can cause trouble down the line? Do they know how best to protect their privacy?

Good Idea or Bad Idea?
Like or Dislike?

Chime in below!

Related Post:

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Christopher Columbus Sold Slaves & Fed Natives to Dogs

Christopher Columbus Day – Celebrating a Hero or Horrible, Horrible Man!

So Columbus Day has arrived. A nice national holiday to celebrate great Christopher Columbus who found the new world and proved that the earth was round. That is what he did right? Or did he?

We celebrate Christopher Columbus Day just as we do with the likes with the likes of Martin Luther King & Abraham Lincoln. An amazing group to be associated with. There must be good reasons right?

There is no way we celebrate a man who heartlessly murdered the natives for sport in search of gold, and callously allowed his men to feed them to live to the dogs? Someone who regularly led men who cut of body parts of native as a way to control them and force them to pay tribute? Someone who used young girls as sex slaves rewards for his men?

We do no such thing. Our history books, what we see on TV, what we’ve read in books, what we intake in, I’ll say it.. media, says otherwise… right?

Enjoy (be horrified by?) this Infographic.

Warning: Not for the faint of heart. Lot of cruelty.

 

Christopher Columbus Day Infographic
Bartolome de las Casas Day  Infographic

 

Infographic from is from The Oatmeal
Sources of Information
A People’s History of the United States: 1492 to Present by Howard Zin
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Lowewen.

  • Were you surprised?
  • What was the most shocking?
  • Who would you nominate to take over this national holiday?

How about William Wilberforce!

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Internet Protection & Accountability: Covenant Eyes Review

Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability

The average age of child’s first exposure to internet pornography is 11 years old

Did you know…

  • Americans spend over 20hrs a week surfing the net.
  • Teens spend over 31hrs per week online
  • The average age of a child’s first internet exposure to pornography is 11yrs old
  • The largest consumers of internet pornography are ages 12-17
  • Over 50% of teens, 30% of children surf without supervision
  • 92% of children already have an online presence

Covenant Eyes is an excellent internet accountability & filtering solution. It’s great both for monitoring your children as well as accountability for adults. It’s simple. You can pick accountability partners you trust whether that be a parent, a friend, or a mentor. If you visit a questionable site, it’ll let your friend know. Trust me, it is a really strong and helpful preventive measure that can save you or someone you love from a lot of heartache and shame whether it be with spending too much time on the internet, visiting inappropriate sites or pornography that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Parents! Protect your Children Now!

Parents! It is also a great way to regulate internet use for your kids. Whether on desktops, laptops, iphones or itouches, children and teens now have unfettered access to the internet and we all know how dangerous that could be. Did you know 55% of teens own an iPhone which gives them direct access to the internet. Many who are younger have iTouches. Covenant Eyes has a great filtering program to block bad sites as well as gives parents the ability to limit internet hours. It really is a great peace of mind for the parents as well as can save a child from the numerous dangerous and inappropriate sites on the web. Perhaps it will also get them off the computer and play some sports or actually talk to someone offline.

Covenant Eyes also allows group accounts, so open an account together as a family or with a group of friends to take advantage of the discounted prices. One person can open the account and others can add onto the first account. It’s super cheap too.

If you do not have accountability or filtering solutions, I strongly urge you to give it a go. You can always cancel if it isn’t for you, but why not protect yourself and your family. Some basic details below. Covenant eyes is both an accountability software and a filtering system.

Interested? Use this link to TRY COVENANT EYES

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software

  • Monitors and reports internet use
  • Each site is rated (T for Teen, M for Mature etc)
  • Reports are sent to a person(s) you choose: a parent, friend, mentor, etc
  • Use reports to have conversations about online dangers
  • Available for Windows/Macs, Androids, iPhones, Tablets, iPads etc

Covenant Eyes Filtering Software

  • Blocks inappropriate content
  • customizable block/allow lists
  • Decide the amount of time the web may be accessed
  • Choose the times of day the web may be accessed
  • Available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability

How Does Covenant Eyes Work?

1) Set it up

  • Create a Covenant Eyes account
  • Download the software on devices you want to protect
  • Covenant Eyes will monitor internet use and rates sites that are visited

2) Get accountability reports

  • Covenant Eyes sends reports to your accountability partner you choose (parent, friend etc)
  • Reports will show how you are using the web

3) Be Accountable

  • Any red flags and inappropriate sites will be flagged
  • An accountability partner can keep you accountable with a simple email or quick call.

4) Experience Freedom

  • Remove secrecy and experience freedom.
  • Uphold your values, and be able to resist bad sites or overloading on the web.

So give Covenant Eyes a try. It really may be the best thing you did for yourself and your family. Don’t be naive about what kind of content your children are exposed to. Most children first get exposed to online pornography at the average age of 11. That is the average, meaning many are exposed even younger. The endless inappropriate videos on youtube that go viral grow at an alarming rate. Don’t get caught off guard. It’s a great way to keep them safe as well as yourself.

Interested? Use this link to TRY COVENANT EYES. Nice. Protection & Savings.

  • Are you a Covenant Eyes user? Tell us your experience. How has it been helpful?

Update: Covenant Eyes has introduced family pricing.

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer [Video]

The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug Movie Poster

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer Video

The trailer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is out! The movie continues the story of Bilbo and the Dwarves as they seek out the Lonely Mountain to reclaim their glory past against the Dragon Smaug. There is also another familiar face – Legolas!

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” will be out Dec 13th.

  • Excited? A little?
  • Who is your favorite dwarf/character from The Hobbit?

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Google Celebrates it’s 15th Birthday with Pinata

Google Celebrates it’s 15th Birthday

15 years ago, two Stanford Grads, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, founded a little company called Google. Google Incorporated was established on September 7th, Google.com domain was registered on September 15th but the official birthday was formalized to September 27th. Don’t ask me why. With the goal of showing the best results through simplicity and speed, Google entered a fragmented market search engine lanscape. Now it owns more than 70% of the search market.

Search Engines in 1998

Quick name as many search engines you know! Are you aware that there are a lot of search engines out there? When Google first entered the market, it wasn’t just a matter of lucky timing, or being the sole engine that dominated the market. There were many Search Engine players at the time. So who were the search engine players in live and about in 1998?

Search Engines – Rest in Peace

  • Megellan (Born 1995 – RIP 2001) – Bought by Excite.
  • Infoseek (Born 1995 – RIP 2001) – Disney took over, became a portal. Still operates powered by Google.
  • Snap (Born 1997 – RIP 2001) – First launched by CNET in 1997. Became owned by NBC. Died as a portal.
  • Direct Hit (Born 1998 – RIP 2002) – Hot search engine. Purchased by Ask Jeeves, neglected and died.

Search Engines – Still Alive but Changed to Something Else

  • Lycos (Born 1994, Changed 1999) – Outsources to Alltheweb.
  • Webcrawler (Born 1994, Changed 2001) – Meta Search Engine. Gathers results from other engines. Purchased by AOL, then Excite.
  • Yahoo (Born 1994, Changed 2002) – Still one of the most popular search engines on the web.
  • Excite (Born 1995, Changed 2001) – Bought Magellan and Webcrawler.
  • HotBot (Born 1996, Changed 2002) – Owned by Inktomi, backed my Wired.
  • Ask Jeeves (Born 1998, Changed 2002) – now Ask.com.

Search Engines – Still Alive and Still a Search Engine

  • Altavista (Born 1995) – Google before Google. My personal engine of choice.
  • LookSmart (Born 1996) – Only search company that relies on humans to gather listings.
  • Overture (Born 1998) – Formerly known as Goto. Powers paid listings for MSN & Yahoo.
  • Alltheweb (Born 1999) – Popular Engine
  • Teoman (Born 2000) – Purchased by Ask Jeeves
  • Wisenut (Born 2001) – Purchased by Looksmart
  • AOL (Born 1997) – Powered by Google
  • MSN (Born 1998) – Powered by LookSmart & Inktomi)
  • Google (Born 1998) – King of Search

 

Google 15th Pinata Game

For a little fun, you can go to Google.com to see their interactive pinata game.
google 15th birthday doodle

Tried out the Pinata thing. High Score of 174. Beat that.
What was your high score?

For a little more geekier fun, type in “Google in 1998” for a little surprise easter egg.

 

Google 1998 Search Homepage

Yes, Google did not have a clean white look until 1999.

Enjoy

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Top 10 Countries with Fastest Internet. United States is #11.

Average Peak Connection Speed by Country

What are the Fastest Countries in the World?

A recent survey by Akamai of the world’s 243 countries found the United States’s Internet speeds were 11th fastest. With U.S. consumers now having access to streaming high-definition video and movies, those speeds are nothing to slouch at. Still, consumers, Internet providers and the countries themselves are always in pursuit of faster Internet speeds that expedite the sharing of information.

Internet speed is a part of national infrastructure that becomes more prominent as online activity becomes a more integral part of daily life, and there are a variety of factors that affect domestic abilities to deliver faster speeds. These speeds are increasing across all major forms of delivery, including cable, satellite internet and DSL. Here’s a quick look at the top five world leaders in Internet speed, and how they’ve managed to achieve this success.

If you are curious, US came in at No. 11 with 36.6 Mbps, double the global average.

Top 10 Fastest Average Peak Connection Speeds by Country

10. Belgium

9. Netherlands

8. Bulgaria

7. Switzerland

6. Singapore

5. Latvia

Latvia may not get many mentions as a world power, but when it comes to quality of Internet connection, it’s right there with the best. Latvia currently has the fifth best Internet speeds of any country in the world, due in large part to the country’s small geographic area. This has made Latvia much easier to cover in high-speed fiber optic cabling, which, consequently, is a roadblock for many larger nations. At a peak average of 44.2 megabits per second, Latvia’s Internet speeds run about 140 percent faster than the global average.

High Broadband Connectivity4. South Korea

Online gaming is huge in South Korea, and a seamless experience requires fast, lag-free Internet connections. The country’s economy is also heavily dependent on technology, with electronics companies Samsung and LG calling it home. While still one of the fastest countries in the world when it comes to Internet speeds, South Korea is the only top performer to actually lose speed from the last time the survey was taken. However South Korea still reigns as #1 when it comes to % of connected users who have connectivity above 10Mbps. An astounding 50% of users are above 10Mbps. Just two years ago, Clean Cut Media posted an article showing South Korea was #1 with 15% of users above 10Mbps. Now it is 50%.

3. Romania

Tiny, Eastern European Romania climbed up from number five to number three, thanks to a nine percent improvement in its Internet speeds. Like Latvia, Romania has a smaller area to cover and a smaller population to serve than some of the world’s larger countries. Its Internet speeds clocked in at 160 percent of the global average.

2. Japan

Along with South Korea, Japan is one of the leaders in Internet speed not just in Asia but around the world. The country benefits from high-speed fiber optic cabling that has been installed throughout the nation. Like South Korea, Japan’s culture is saturated with technology, and its economy is built on electronics and technology manufacturing. From a country that pioneered the bullet train, it’s no surprise speed is a top priority here, where Internet connections run 170 percent faster than the global average.

Internet Speeds1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong has all of the ingredients needed to be the worldwide leader in Internet speed. It is one of the most dense areas in the world, which makes infrastructure much more easy to install. It’s also a wealthy, tech-savvy Chinese region, and like other developed Asian nations, technology plays a large role in the culture here. At 63.6 Mbps, Hong Kong’s Internet speeds are more than three times the global average, and more than 20 percent faster than any other country.

  • How fast is YOUR internet?
  • Do you feel small and insignificant compared to these ridiculous high speeds?
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Life Before and After Mobile Phones – Illustration

Before and After Mobile Phones

I remember a time when there were no mobile phones (I am dating myself aren’t I?).
I remember I knew my friends numbers by heart. I remember having to meet up with them to play.

Times have changed. Soon after mobile phones became mainstream, so much of how we interact with others have changed. For better or worse?

Enjoy this hilarious series of Before and After Cellphone illustrations by 20px.com.

Which ones do you relate to? Tell us in the comments!

Before & After Cellphones

Before & After Cell Phone - Friends

Before & After Cellphones - Phone Numbers

Before & After Cellphones - Calling

Before & After Cellphones - Rides

Before & After Cell Phones - Waiting

[poll id=”38″]

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Amazing One World Trade Center Time-Lapse Video

One World Trade Center HDR

Amazing One World Trade Center Time-Lapse Video

In honor of 9/11, the fateful day the world trade centers were attacked. Watch this time-lapse video clip highlighting the rise of the One World Trade Center which was built on top of the World Trade Center grounds. These shots were taken from October 2004 to September 2013. The One World Trade Center stands at 1,776 feet making it the tallest building in the western hemisphere.

Enjoy this time lapse with some epic music. Be inspired.
Share us your thoughts below of what kind of feelings this video elicited for you.

SEE ALSO:

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