Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online

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**Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online**

The Smart Social Team teaches parents, educators, and students how to stay safe on social media so they can Shine Online. We show you how to audit your Google results and use your social media accounts as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. We keep it tactical and practical with tips you can use to better understand how to navigate the digital world as a parent, student, and educator. Learn more at SmartSocial.com

Latest Episodes:

“Staying in tune to your child is the greatest safety measure parents can take” with David Reilly Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with David E. Reilly, Superintendent of Elk Grove Unified School District, about screen time, AI, student safety, and how parents can stay connected to what their children may be experiencing online. Reilly explains how social media can make adolescent mistakes feel more permanent, public, and overwhelming, and how hidden online stress can show up at home through irritability, withdrawal, or sudden changes in behavior. He also discusses why AI is unavoidable for today’s students, how it can work as a Socratic-style learning tool, and why schools must protect the productive struggle that helps students build real thinking skills. The conversation closes with practical reminders for families, including monitoring your child’s overall wellbeing, staying alert to mood and behavior changes, and using school and community resources to keep students safe and successful online.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

“Use AI to complement their learning… but not as a replacement” with Kerrie Torres Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Kerrie Torres, Deputy Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District in Orange County, California, about AI, screen time, student safety, and the guardrails families need as technology becomes part of everyday learning. Dr. Torres explains how excessive screen time and social media can affect teen mental health, focus, anxiety, and feelings of disconnection, even when students appear more connected than ever. She also shares how parents can teach kids to use AI as a learning partner, not a replacement for their thinking, so students can refine their work without losing foundational skills. The conversation covers AI privacy concerns, why students should not rely on AI for major life or mental health decisions, how schools can create safer digital ecosystems, and practical dialogue tips parents can use to better understand what their child enjoys and worries about online.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"The human interactions are really the critical pieces that can't fully be replaced" with Ruben Aurelio Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Superintendent Rubén Aurelio of Vallejo City Unified School District in California’s Bay Area about helping students rebuild connection, use AI responsibly, and develop healthier habits with technology. Aurelio shares how post-COVID screen time affected student engagement, anxiety, loneliness, and the way young people compare themselves to curated online “highlights” instead of real life. He also explains why AI can be a powerful tool for students and educators when it supports human connection, not replaces it.

They discuss what happens when AI gets things wrong, why families and schools need to teach students to verify information and gut check outputs, and how districts can protect student privacy while still preparing kids for an AI-driven future. The conversation also covers online stranger red flags, phone-free campus wins, attendance and engagement improvements, and leadership advice for districts making hard decisions to keep students safe and successful online.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"We can't be afraid to ask the questions because that's what starts dialogue" with Dr. Thomas Toohey Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Thomas Toohey, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Special Services in Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey, about helping students build safer habits with screen time, social media, and AI. Dr. Toohey shares how his career in special education shapes the way he thinks about student support, then explains how excessive screen time can affect interpersonal skills, connection, and confidence during a critical stage of development. They also discuss the future of AI for students, including why AI should enhance thinking, writing, and planning rather than replace those skills. Listen for practical guidance on social media agreements, red flags when online strangers try to move conversations to another app, AI guardrails in the classroom, and why asking hard questions is what starts the dialogue families and schools need to keep students safe and successful online.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"AI can help us increase the critical thinking and decision-making of a student" with Rory Gesch Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Rory Gesch, Deputy Superintendent of Alvin Independent School District just south of Houston (serving about 30,000 students across nearly 40 campuses), about how AI and screen time are reshaping student well-being and learning. Rory explains why the nonstop pace of online life can outpace healthy child development, what schools can do to help families build safer habits, and how AI can be used to strengthen critical thinking by teaching students to evaluate sources and spot what is credible. They also cover practical guardrails like family check-ins, community safety training, and district “playbooks” for responding to emerging threats, including swatting-style hoaxes and groups like “Kitty Mafia” targeting schools.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"Screen time does not equal learning time" with Dr. Brian Beckley Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Brian Beckley, Chief Information Officer for Everett Public Schools (just north of Seattle, serving about 20,000 students across 28 schools), about the difference between being on a screen and actually learning. Dr. Beckley explains why “screen time does not equal learning time,” and how too much device time can weaken peer interaction, conflict-resolution skills, and student well-being, especially after the heavy screen years coming out of COVID.

They also dig into AI and critical thinking, including why students need to learn the content first so they can verify accuracy, spot bias, and avoid letting AI replace their own work. The conversation closes with practical steps for families, from having regular check-ins about how kids are using AI to reinforcing privacy habits and healthier device routines at home.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"Don't just give them a test at the end of the school year" with Tom Horne, J.D. Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

On this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, Josh Ochs sits down with Tom Horne, J.D., Arizona’s State Superintendent of Schools, to talk about what school safety looks like right now and what leaders can do that actually helps. Horne explains why campuses need both trained school officers and mental health professionals working in tandem, then shifts to what teachers need most to stay in the profession, including stronger administrative backing on discipline and better pay. The conversation also covers how schools can catch learning gaps earlier with ongoing, standards-aligned check-ins, plus how career and technical education can connect students to real skills and well-paying pathways after graduation.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"AI should not replace your critical thinking skills"- with Christine Mai & Brett Stidham Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Brett Stidham (Enterprise Innovation Strategist) and Christine Mai (AI Initiatives Lead) from Houston Independent School District about what responsible AI use should look like for students, educators, and families. They explain why AI should stay a support tool, how to build real AI literacy, and what guardrails matter most, including privacy, “walled garden” tools, and helping students verify information when AI hallucinates. The episode closes with practical steps families can use right away to model critical thinking and keep AI from replacing human judgment.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

“We see a lot of stress and anxiety that's brought forth by screen time” with David Wildy Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with CTO David Wildy of Dublin Unified School District (about 12,790 students across 14 school sites) about what school leaders are seeing as screen time reshapes teen mental health and daily behavior. Wildy explains how algorithm-driven feeds can amplify anxiety, body image pressure, anger, and attention issues, especially when students are constantly shown more of whatever keeps them scrolling. They also unpack the future of AI for students, including why districts need clear expectations that keep student thinking and original work front and center, while still using AI for brainstorming, study support, and teacher time-savers with strong guardrails. The conversation closes with practical steps schools can take (and what parents can reinforce at home) to build healthier habits and reduce risk.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

"Make sure that we do not lose the human aspect when talking about AI" -Dr. Dionel Waters May 20, 2026

Show notes

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter

Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events

Episode Summary:

Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Dionel Waters, Executive Director for IDEA Public Schools Dallas–Fort Worth, about why AI conversations with students have to stay grounded in real human connection. Dr. Waters breaks down the student struggles schools are seeing right now, including mental health concerns, attendance challenges tied to late-night screen time, and the way social feeds can shape body image and self-worth, especially for young girls.

They also dig into the future of student AI use, including why districts cannot focus only on cheating, and why parents and educators need to understand how students are using AI for relational support when they feel lonely. Dr. Waters shares guardrails that prioritize privacy, transparency, and safety, while also protecting the “human aspect” students still need from trusted adults and real relationships.

Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip

District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner

Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload

Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/

View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/

The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

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