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SmartSocial Teaches Rural Internet Users with Starlink

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October 6, 2021

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SmartSocial Teaches Rural Internet Users with Starlink

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SmartSocial Teaches Rural Internet Users with Starlink

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

The Fayettevill Observer headline: Elon Musk's Starlink service helps school kids with high-speed internet at home. Some of the first users of Elon Musk's new satellite internet service are rural North Carolina children
The Fayetteville Observer

EdNC

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

Schools and organizations: contact us to schedule a short call to discuss your community’s needs and how SmartSocial can help educate your parents to help keep students safer online

School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

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.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Learn more

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Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (And earn a $5 Starbucks gift card)*

Nov
19
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Disappearing Messages: Hidden Dangers Parents Need to Know

Understand the hidden risks behind disappearing messages and learn practical strategies to protect and guide your teen’s digital behavior.

Nov
21
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AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

This virtual parent night event will explore the fascinating world of AI and the role it can have in every student's educational journey and future career paths.

Dec
03
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Optimize Parental Controls: Balancing Safety & Privacy for Families

Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.

Dec
05
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Sneaky Ways Video Apps Keep Teens Watching

Join this live parent night event and find out what tricks video apps are using to keep your kids watching

Dec
10
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Optimize Parental Controls: Balancing Safety & Privacy for Families

Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.

Dec
12
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Protecting Your Family With A Social Media Agreement

Learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

*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).

Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.

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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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With over 240 episodes, Josh Ochs interviews psychologists, therapists, counselors, teachers, and parents while showing you how to navigate social media to someday shine online.

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