With a recent study revealing that suicide-related hospital visits for teens and tweens have almost tripled, we think it’s important for parents to talk to their children about difficult subjects like depression and anxiety. In this post, learn how you can talk about suicide & depression with your children.
Digital Citizenship Blog at SmartSocial.com
Why Is the Tik Tok App so Popular? (Parent Guide)
The Tik Tok app is a music video social media platform. Currently the app is not available in the US, despite being the most downloaded app in 2018. Due to the global popularity of the app we want to let parents know beforehand so you can keep your children safe.
Snapchat, Instagram And Facebook App Updates (Parent University Week 5 Update)
In this Parent University member newsletter we talk about which social media network is more popular with teens than Snapchat and Instagram, where teens are seeking advice online, which social media habits are linked to depression, and more.
Telegram Messenger App Guide for Parents
Telegram is an app that offers unlimited instant messaging with encryption. The app syncs across devices so that users can access their chats on mobile, desktop or tablet. Recently, the Telegram Messenger app was temporarily removed from the App Store due to the danger it posed to children.
Snapchat, Instagram And Facebook App Updates (Parent University Week 4 Update)
In this Parent University member newsletter we talk about which social networks are the worst offenders when it comes to showing children mature content, a new study that revealed suicide-related hospital visits have nearly tripled for adolescents, how Snapchat made it easier for students to share their location, and more.
Student Guide: What to Do When Friends Tag You in Pictures
If you don’t use a healthy amount of caution when it comes to what images you put out there for the world to see online and on social media, then you can begin to develop a negative digital footprint. In this post, learn how to build positive image search results.
How Carson Magee Uses Type 1 Diabetes To Help Others (and Shine Online) – Podcast Episode 49
In this episode, Josh Ochs sat down with a high school student named Carson Magee who raises awareness for students with Type 1 diabetes. Learn how Carson uses social media and positive online content to raise awareness for his cause.
13 Reasons Why: What Parents Need to Know About This Netflix Series (Season 1 & 2)
13 Reasons Why is a Netflix series based on a 2007 novel, by the same name, that depicts suicide in a graphic manner and is incredibly popular with teens. Many educators and psychologists have raised concerns that the show may serve as a trigger for self-injury among vulnerable students.
Parent University Member Newsletter (Week 3)
In this Parent University member newsletter we talk about an app that has double the amount of daily users as Snapchat (hint: it’s not Instagram), how Snapchat is rolling back on their redesign (and how it affects families), how a 9 year old’s Instagram got her mother fired, and more.
Fortnite Battle Royale Parent App Guide
Fortnite is a very popular game that was released in 2017. There are 2 different versions of the game; Fortnite: Save the World and Fortnite: Battle Royale. Fortnite: Battle Royale is the version that is really popular with students. Learn how to keep your children safe if they play Fortnite.
Life360 Family Locator App Guide for Parents
Life360 Family Locator is a real time location-sharing app that uses GPS location data to report the location of users. Users create geofences around their home, and other frequently visited destinations. If your family uses the app, be aware that your children can start sharing their location with their friends.
Deodorant Challenge: What Parents Need to Know
The deodorant challenge is the latest teen viral trend. To participate, students spray their bare skin (or someone else’s) with aerosol deodorant for as long as they can stand it. The challenge is painful, can have a lasting impact, causes scarring, and is causing some teens to be hospitalized.
What Is Slender Man? A Guide for Parents
The Slender Man is a fictional character who originated from a viral internet meme. The character is portrayed as a tall, thin, and faceless man in a black suite who goes around traumatizing people. Although he is fictitious, the Slender Man is causing teens to act dangerously.
Parent University Member Newsletter (Week 2)
There have been a lot of digital safety updates in the news. In this Parent University member newsletter we talk about keeping students safe on Fortnite: Battle Royale, the new social media challenge that has teens snorting things up their nose, what Snapchat updated this week, and more.
What Parents Need to Know About the Condom Snorting Challenge
The condom snorting challenge is a viral trend where teens post a video of themselves snorting a condom through their nose and pulling it out of their mouth. While this may sound like a joke, teens have been doing this challenge since 2007. Learn how to keep students safe.
When Is It Ok to Get a Phone and Social Media? Students Share Their Tips (Podcast Episodes #43 & #44)
Josh sat down with high school students from Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science. In these episodes we discuss when students should get a phone, how students can work with their parents to solve their own problems, how students can use Snapchat safely, and how students can respond to bullying.
Parent University Member Newsletter (Week 1)
In this Parent University member newsletter we talk about why a teenager was charged for bullying others on Snapchat this week, what parents need to know about the new Instagram and Snapchat updates, how families can protect themselves from data breaches, the negative effects of social media, and more.
How Social Media Can Hurt Your Career (Ch 1 from Light, Bright and Polite for Teens)
Everyone has online results that create a footprint when someone searches for them online. This online footprint can shape your reputation—and your college opportunities—in ways you might not anticipate (until it’s too late). Learn how to ensure your digital footprint is Light, Bright & Polite™.
Education & Communication Tips from an Australian Digital Safety Expert (Podcast Ep. #46)
Josh sat down with a Parent University subscriber and a digital safety expert based in Sydney, Australia. In this podcast episode, learn how to keep your children safe online, how to talk about cyberbullying, the importance of education with communication, and communication tips to help start the conversation.
The Effects of Social Media and How to Build a Healthy Relationship
In order for social media to be used in a positive way it’s imperative that parents teach students about the effects of social media. So, we asked 5 experts to share some of the negative effects of social media and tips for having a healthy relationship with technology.
