Keeping your kids safe!

 

Technology....

How many likes/views/responses/followers did you get today?  How many human connections did you make today that were not online? I am not here to judge, but do you ever find yourself just sitting and checking your likes, your views, or just looking for responses?  What did we do before all of this?  I know you remember, but do our kids?  I know for a fact that people may only read this first paragraph, (or sentence) and then decide if this is even worth continuing.  Remember when your English teacher told you that your "hook" or your first sentence needs to grab your reader in order for them to continue?  Well, today, we need to hook everyone!  Most importantly we need to hook our kiddos!

Let's talk about some social media that is "hooking" your kids, and the potential pitfalls.  Watch this video and make sure you are understanding three of the biggest social media platforms there are right now.

Social Media Safety  

Did you know that social media has one main way to make money?  It is selling your information, your likes, your keywords, etc... If you have Netflix, go ahead and watch: The Social Dilemma  You may have second thoughts about letting your children of any age use social media (even Google, which stinks because that is what we use for our online learning).  Very interesting stuff. 

My parting words today are: taking social risks are par for the course in Middle school and High school student's lives.  It is the ability for families to TALK about risks and consequences that create the difference between making a big mistake, and taking a worthy risk.  Check your kid's cell phones DAILY when they go to bed.  Make it a priority for them to leave them on the counter, don't let them fall into the trap of cell phone and social media addiction. (You have no idea how many kids tell us on a daily basis that they were up late playing on their phones or playing a video game).  As a person who has been working with kids for almost 20 years, the biggest issue I see nowadays is that kids feel that anything goes on social media.  Have those uncomfortable conversations that you may have avoided so far.  You can blame it on me, tell them Mrs. Garber sent you.

Have a great day!

Jessica Garber

Here is some more information from our fantastic Student Services Coordinator:

(Click the Link)  Tips for talking to kids about sexting.