Social Media Resources

Thank you for attending the January 31st, 2024, Presentation on Socal Media. We hope that you found this session informative and helpful. Below, please find resources that compliment this presentation.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Michelle Lutz, the Diretor of Support Services at michelle_lutz@sdst.org.

Maintaining children's safety online requires a holistic approach that encompasses various strategies and practices. Here are key components of such an approach:

• Education and Awareness: Educate children about the potential risks and dangers online. This includes understanding cyberbullying, online predators, privacy concerns, and the permanence of online actions. Encourage open dialogue about their online experiences and the content they encounter.

• Digital Literacy: Teach children how to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. This includes understanding how to evaluate online information for credibility, understanding digital footprints, and recognizing safe websites.

• Parental Controls and Monitoring: Utilize parental controls to restrict access to inappropriate content. Monitor their online activity, but also respect their privacy and independence as they grow older. Balance is key here.

• Setting Boundaries: Establish rules and guidelines for internet use, such as time limits, permissible websites, and online behavior expectations. Discuss why these rules are important for their safety.

• Privacy and Security Education: Teach children about the importance of privacy settings on social media and other platforms. Encourage them to keep personal information private and to be cautious about sharing details online.

• Role Modeling: Parents and guardians should model good online behavior. Your actions online can teach children about respectful communication, privacy practices, and healthy internet habits.

• Building Trust and Communication: Foster an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, whether good or bad. Let them know that they can come to you with any concerns or questions.

• Awareness of Current Trends and Challenges: Stay informed about the latest online trends and potential risks. This includes understanding the social media platforms and online games your children are using.

• Professional Resources and Support: Know when to seek professional help. If you suspect your child is a victim of cyberbullying or other online dangers, do not hesitate to contact educators, counselors, or law enforcement.

Implementing a holistic approach to online safety is a continuous process that adapts as technology evolves and as children grow. It's about creating a safe, supportive, and educational environment both online and offline.

A technical approach to keeping children safe online involves using specific tools, settings, and methods to manage and monitor their digital interactions. Here's a detailed breakdown of such approaches:

• Parental Control Software: Use software that allows you to control and monitor your children's online activities. These tools can filter out inappropriate content, limit screen time, and track online behavior.

• Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is secure. Use strong passwords and consider setting up a separate network for your kids to limit access to household devices.

• Browser Safety Settings: Utilize the safety settings in web browsers. Most browsers offer options to block certain types of content, manage privacy settings, and control data tracking.

• Safe Search Engines: Use search engines designed for kids, which filter out inappropriate content. Examples include Kiddle or KidRex.

• Content Filters: Employ content filters that block websites not suitable for children. These can be part of your parental control software or can be standalone applications.

• Age-Appropriate Profiles: Set up profiles on devices and streaming services that are age-appropriate for your child. Many platforms offer a child or youth profile with restricted access to content.

• Social Media Monitoring: Keep an eye on your children’s social media use. Teach them about the importance of privacy settings and the risks of oversharing personal information.

• Educational Software and Apps: Encourage the use of educational and age-appropriate apps. These can be both entertaining and instructive, and they often come with built-in safety features.

• Regular Software Updates: Keep all devices used by children updated with the latest software and security patches. This reduces vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malware and hackers.

• Cybersecurity Education: Teach children basic cybersecurity practices, like not clicking on unknown links, not downloading files from untrusted sources, and the importance of not sharing passwords.

• Device Usage Management: Tools like Google Family Link or Apple's Screen Time can help manage and monitor the use of smartphones and tablets, setting limits on usage and available applications.

• Safe Communication Platforms: Use communication platforms designed for children, which offer more robust safety features and monitoring options.

• Emergency Protocols: Establish protocols for what your child should do if they encounter something disturbing or inappropriate online.

Using these technical measures, along with ongoing dialogue and education, can greatly enhance the safety of children online. Remember, technology is a tool that needs to be paired with informed guidance and supervision.

The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade. Let’s protect the elementary and middle school years from the distractions and the dangers of a smartphone. Banding together helps decrease the pressure to have a phone at an early age. Ten years old is the average age children get their first smartphone. You can change this!

For more information, visit the Wait Until 8th Website.

Of checkout the Why Wait Reasons? A handy list of research-based reasons for why to wait to introduce smart phones into your child's life.

Have a tip? Contact the Safe2Say Hotline. Students and parents can anonymously report threats and concerns through call, text or through the app.

Call 1-844-SAF2SAY

Download the app by searching SAFE2SAYPA

Report online at SAFE2SAYPA.org