Be Tech Aware, Mindful, & Safe

While one might say, we are in the business of education, in truth, we are in the business of people - more specifically students. Our number one priority being the health and safety of the children entrusted to us because we know that when students (as is the case with most people) feel welcomed, safe, and secure, they learn better. Still, we do not want to forget this particular business is a special one, as it is a partnership between us, the educators, and you, the parents and guardians. We hope this resource will help all of us keep the young members of our community safe and healthy, particularly as our world grows ever bigger with technology and social media.

Our goal is to have three installments over each month:

• "Be Aware" where we focus on an app or technology and some of the things we should know before our children begin using them.
• "Be Mindful" where we focus on technology or other mediums that can assist us and our children with social emotional wellbeing.
• "Be Safe" where we focus on ways to minimize our digital footprint and protect our children from social media and general practices that could lead to unsafe situation and circumstances.

In 2017, a study showed that of all the social networks kids are on, at 31 percent, Snapchat is the third most likely medium where cyberbullying occurs. Imagine how different that statistic might be now when in just the past two years, from 2020 to 2022, screen time for kids has increased 51.9% and from 2014-2015 to 2022 the number of kids using Snapchat has increased from 41% to 59%. (Sources)

So what should you “Be Tech Aware” about with Snapchat?

• Age restriction is 13+; this equates to starting between 7th and 8th grade

• Snapchats disappearing is a myth:

• individuals tend to be more inclined to say or share something they shouldn’t when they think it will disappear, but the truth is individuals can take screenshots or photos with another device

• the reply feature increases the potential for sharing and resharing

• Screenshots can be helpful when addressing bullying, but don’t always show the full picture

• Mental Health concern: Filters and lenses can create unrealistic body image expectations, negatively affecting self-images and confidence

• Snapmaps show location in real-time; the question is do kids really know all the people they are “friends” with?

What can parents do to counteract some of this?

• Review privacy settings with your child

• Have open discussions about what is being shared

• Ask about the people they are “friends” with

• Talk about when to report and block content and/or a person

• Check out the new parent feature in Family Center that Snapchat is launching

Resources:

• Snapchat Guide (Spanish)

• Parent Controls

• Family Center

Anxiety in children ages 3-17 is becoming more and more common with approximately 9.2% of children being diagnosed - “diagnosed” being the key word. For individuals 18-54, anxiety disorders affect approximately 18%. Given these statistics, it is important to note, when it is hard to see something, it can be hard to understand and believe. So, it is crucial that anxiety is not dismissed, downplayed, or minimized. Anxiety is also not something to be shamed, as children - like most adults, will internalize this as something wrong with them. Feelings and emotions are not right or wrong, but how we deal with them is key. (Sources)

So what should you “Be Tech Mindful” about with Mindshift CBT?

• FREE
• CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Designed specifically for anxiety (tackling worry, panic, perfectionism, social anxiety, and phobias)
• Works to adjust thinking and behavior
• Features include:
• Short meditation
• Thought journal
• Coping cards to readjust thinking

Resources:

• 9 Tools for Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety
• MindShift CBT App Information
• 13 of the Best Mental Health Apps to Use in 2022

In 2007, one in four teens (25%) met new friends online. Considering that in 2015 that number increased to 57%, what would this look like today? It is important to note, the majority of these new, unmet, friends have some connection through a known in-person friend or relation. While at the same time realizing that teens are more likely to be contacted by a complete stranger (32% in 2007) and a report from 2020, shows a spike of more than 97% in online predators according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This does not mean that all new, unmet, friends are bad; in fact online friendships can be healthy. The key is to be informed about how to really “know” a new online unmet friend. (Sources)

So how can you “Be Tech Safe” when it comes to online friends?

• Engage in conversations about safety

• What to share and what not to share

• How do we know they are who they say they are - fake profiles and catfishing

• Ask questions about who their friends are both in “real-life” and online

• Make sure they know if someone or something makes them uncomfortable they need to speak up; whether to you or another trusted adult

• Know what apps they are using and educate yourself on those apps (or have them educate you)

• Monitor online access - phones, computers, gaming consoles - review safety settings and learn how to block/report concerns

Resources:

• Are online friendships good for teens? Researchers say “Yes!”

• Making “Friends” Online Safely

• R.E.A.L. Friends Don’t

• 8 dangers of social media to discuss with kids and teens

• Internet safety for kids making friends online

• Social Media Friends vs Real-Life Friends: Is There a Difference?

• Are your friends online who they say they are?