SmartSocial Teaches Rural Internet Users with Starlink
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SmartSocial Teaches Rural Internet Users with Starlink
Earn points towards a Starbucks gift card!*
Start watching/reading this page/resource to activate a form...
You will be able to take notes and tell us what you learned to earn points.
Imagine experiencing growing up or raising a young family in today’s world without the internet in your back pocket or a limitless social network without leaving your home.
Even in 2021, some families in the United States don’t have reliable internet, and their students haven’t grown up with these conveniences. Our friends at North Carolina State University have been researching and testing various internet technologies to assist families in obtaining reliable home internet service, including Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Starlink and SmartSocial
Getting access to the internet isn’t the only problem for these families with new internet access from their homes. Funded by a state research grant, the Friday Institute at NCSU has made it possible that the new internet access the families in their project receive also comes with the knowledge of how to be safe online and build a positive online footprint, especially for students.
Approximately 200 families in rural North Carolina have access to our SmartSocial VIP (Very Informed Parent) membership to help them learn how to safely navigate the most popular social media apps and websites that students want to be on.
In the news
What is the SmartSocial VIP membership?
Ray Zeisz, senior director at the NCSU Technology Infrastructure Lab running the project, wrote:
While the internet is an invaluable resource, we must continue to teach good digital citizenship and prevent cyberbullying and screen addiction.
SmartSocial VIP members have access to 30+ on-demand and ongoing live training courses that teach parents and students about the dangers of social media, online gaming, and screen time. The courses and resources walk parents and students through important settings in the most popular apps to help keep students safe.
Most importantly, SmartSocial gives parents and students tips on how to dialogue together about technology and social media. Good dialogue helps families come to agreements on acceptable technology use everyone understands.
Does your school or community need parent and student training?
Any parent, educator, school, or community organization can benefit from SmartSocial VIP membership. We offer individual monthly or annual memberships for parents and educators and packages for schools and community organizations to purchase package membership to provide free access to parents in their community.
Parents and educators: find out more about how to join the SmartSocial VIP membership here
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This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!
Sharon M.
Parent VIP Member
Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.
Director of College Advising
Educator Webinar Attendee
This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.
Irene C.
Educator Webinar Attendee
Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (And earn a $5 Starbucks gift card)*
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Understand the hidden risks behind disappearing messages and learn practical strategies to protect and guide your teen’s digital behavior.
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AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills
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Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.
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*Only for families in partner school districts or individual paid VIP members: to receive a gift card, simply attend the live event, join in the activities, and your family will be eligible to earn one gift card per year (while supplies last).
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Here are some of the latest resources at SmartSocial.com
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Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.
Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com. Protect your family by taking my 1 minute quiz
This quiz will help you understand how safe your family is
Schools & Districts: Partner with us to protect your community online
Our remote presentations (and website) teach over a million students each year how to shine online. We teach students how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.
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