Fortnite: Battle Royale is a free, multiplayer game that is incredibly popular with students. The concept of the game is simple – the last player to survive the battle wins. But this isn’t a traditional war game.
Digital Citizenship Blog at SmartSocial.com
8 Ways To Be A Present Parent & Avoid Digital Distractions
Digital distractions are now a daily struggle for many moms and dads. Read expert advice on how to be a more present parent in today’s digital world, even while working from home.
WhatsApp: Free Messaging App (Student & Parent Guide)
WhatsApp is easy to use and offers several free ways for people to connect, without using their smartphone’s data or minutes. This guide will help parents and educators understand the app and help students who use it stay safe.
The Negative Effects of Social Media on Mental Health
When parents set a positive example of online behaviors, have open discussions about the unrealistic standards social media can promote, and help students honor their accomplishments with gratitude, they can help their children avoid the negative effects of social media on mental health.
Facebook App Guide For Parents (and Students)
Students tend to stay away from the social media platform Facebook, although it can be a great tool to help students Shine Online™.
Netflix App: Safety Guide for Parents
The Netflix app allows users to stream or download popular movies and shows from a mobile device. Learn to use the app’s new parental controls here.
Finstagram: What Parents Should Know
Finstagram (Finsta) is a fake (or second) Instagram account. Students get a Finsta to post silly or inappropriate content for a smaller, selective group of friends.
Netflix Party: How Students are Watching Netflix Together
Netflix Party is a free Google Chrome extension that lets friends get together, virtually, to watch Netflix videos and chat about them.
Zoom Video Calls: A Guide for Parents, Students & Educators
The Zoom app is all over the news for kids and adults since people are using it for class time, family time, and social connections. But is it safe to use? Smart Social asked some experts for some safety tips.
Squad App: Video Chat & Screen Share (Parent Review)
Squad is a video chat app that lets users share their screens with others. Friends can have a lot of fun on the app, but strangers can connect on Squad too.
Roblox Safety Guide for Parents
Roblox, a user-generated online gaming platform, offers millions of games created by users. It’s targeted to kids ages 8+. This safety guide will help parents keep their students safe on Roblox.
How Students Can Use Screen Time At Home To Safely Connect With Friends
Many parents are more lenient, while schools are closed, when it comes to screen time and social media. SmartSocial.com has many tools to help families stay safe online when classes are canceled.
Messenger Kids: Facebook Chat App for Children
Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app, from Facebook. It’s built for kids and designed to give parents more control. Messenger Kids can be a starting point for a student’s first social media account, but parents should be aware of data and privacy concerns.
Marco Polo: App Guide for Parents and Educators
The Marco Polo app is a popular messaging app that lets friends send messages back and forth like a walkie talkie- but with video. The app’s privacy policy raises some concerns about the information collected on the app.
Houseparty App Review For Parents of Teens (Is It Safe?)
Learn how students are using this video chat app and what you can do as a parent or educator to monitor who they are talking to.
Dr. Rady Rahban and the Ripple Effect of Social Media Beauty Filters
Dr. Rady Rahban sees first hand how social media beauty filters affect how students see themselves. As a plastic surgeon, he makes sure his clients get plastic surgery for the right reasons, not just to look like their favorite celebrity.
Cyber Safety, Smartphones, and… Garfield?
The nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education teaches innovative online safety lessons. Read three tips from the organization’s Director for keeping your kids safe, no matter what apps or mobile devices they are using.
Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok Social Media Mental Health Initiatives. Are They Enough?
Several social media apps have announced plans to promote mental health initiatives, aimed at helping kids to stay mentally safe online. Some educators and mental health experts weigh in.
What is the GroupMe app and is it Safe?
GroupMe is a messaging app where users can send group or private messages from their computer or phone using WiFi. Learn how this app works and why some students are getting into trouble using it.
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Each year, Smart Social reaches more than a million parents, educators, and students around the world. Our safety tools keep families safe from online dangers and teach students how to use social media with a purpose, instead of just as a pastime.