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

Latest Episodes:

Triller App: A Social Video Network Similar to TikTok (Guide for Parents, Students, and Educators) Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

The Triller app, first released in 2015, is a social media network where users make and share short videos. Anyone can view videos, but users must sign up for a free account to “like” videos, follow other users, read/make comments, and send direct messages. Users can create professional-looking music videos and vlogs in minutes with the app’s auto-editing algorithm. The app has 100+ filters and videos can be personalized with text, drawings and emojis. Triller’s music library features top trending songs. Since content is user-generated on Triller, it can contain profanity, suggestive dance moves, drinking, and drug use. Accounts and videos can be set to private in the Settings menu.

Read SmartSocial.com's Triller Guide for Parents, Educators, and Students.

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
2020 Ultimate Guide To Child Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Sextortion, & Online Enticement

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Parent Compass: Navigating A Teen's Wellness & Academic Journey with Cindy Muchnick & Jenn Curtis Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Parent Compass on the SmartSocial.com Podcast Jenn and Cindy share their thoughts on tutoring (or rather the trend of "over tutoring") and how it relates to self-advocacy. They also discuss the necessity for parents to practice self-examination--to take a good, hard look at why they parent the way that they parent and how their own upbringing might affect their desires for their kids. And lastly, they offer some advice on navigating the admission process during the current global pandemic.
Be sure to pick up The Parent Compass: Navigating Your Teen's Wellness and Academic Journey in Today's Competitive World, launching on September 15, 2020 to learn more ideas that Curtis and Muchnick have to help your student be successful.

Jenn Curtis, MSW, Educational Consultant, author, and speaker, owner of FutureWise Consulting: www.futurewiseconsulting.com

Cindy Muchnick, MA, Educational Consultant, author, and speaker: https://cynthiamuchnick.com

Learn from SmartSocial.com's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
2020 Ultimate Guide To Child Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Sextortion, & Online Enticement

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

How COVID Changed Pornography Viewership In Teens (w/ guests Dr. Gail Dines & Samantha Wechsler) Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

The Culture Reframed Program for Parents of Tweens and Program for Parents of Teens build young people’s resilience and resistance to hypersexualized media and porn while promoting their healthy development. Get free step-by-step modules to help parents understand the impacts of hypersexualized culture and how to support your tween/teen here.

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

2020 Ultimate Guide To Child Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Sextortion, & Online Enticement: https://smartsocial.com/sex-trafficking/Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Virtual Learning Tips for the Remote Classroom (with guest Brittany Cufaude from Joyful Classrooms) Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

Brittany Cufaude’s tips for educators who are navigating virtual learning:

Make sure all instruction that’s occurring live with the teacher is actually interactive instead of just talking at the children for long periods of time. Use tool’s, like Pear Deck, to make your Google Slides more interactive.
Utilize split screen features. Teachers should make sure they can see their students at all times.Consider buying an inexpensive second monitor, so you will have plenty of screen space to teach your class and see your students. Just make sure to keep the monitor at your eye level so you aren’t looking away from your students.
Teachers and students should make a daily schedule at home, the same way they would if they were leaving the house for work or school. Make sure to include time for reading, hobbies, and relaxation.
Teach students online classroom etiquette, including muting themselves when others are speaking, not eating or playing with toys or scrolling through their phones, etc.
Record lessons for students, so they can watch them at their own pace and refer back to them when they need extra help while doing homework.

Brittany Cufaude is a school improvement and literacy consultant. She founded and operates Joyful Classrooms, which partners with California school districts, to design and facilitate high-quality professional learning

Learn more about Joyful Classrooms

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

3 Ways To Reduce Digital Distractions During Online Classes w/ Melissa Scatena, CEO of Scattered Solutions Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Read Melissa's tips on our blog

Melissa suggests setting up a designated homework/homeschool space in your home to prevent distractions during online classes and homework time. Things to keep in mind:

Try to choose a quiet space in a less busy part of the house, an environment that will naturally minimize distractions. It’s important to choose this area and stick with it
Choose functional furniture and stock up on supplies. We suggest avoiding couches or lap desks and instead opt for a traditional desk or a small table and chair. Consider adding a soft cushion on the chair — when kids feel uncomfortable, they’re more prone to stirring and squirming, leading to distraction and disorganization. With regard to supplies, be sure to stock up on pens, pencils, and markers. We also suggest including a timer on your supplies list, which you can use to give your child a brain break for intervals of uninterrupted work
Reserve space for a calendar and to-do list. Important, visible anchors like these will make your child’s in-house homeschool/homework space an area that encourages building on small tasks to reach larger goals

Melissa Scatena is the CEO of Scattered Solutions, an online learning platform for toddlers to teenagers.

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Pornography: Good Pictures & Bad Pictures: A simple plan to protect young minds with Kristen A. Jenson, MA Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

With easy access to the internet from any mobile device, it’s not a question of if our kids will be exposed to pornography; it’s a matter of when. That’s why one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children is an internal filter–one they can take with them wherever they go. Read Jenson's guest blog on SmartSocial.com, 5 Tips for Talking to Kids About Pornography.

Learn more about Protect Young Minds

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

3 Tips to Protect Children Online with Retired Police Lt. Joe Laramie Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

SmartSocial.com's Ultimate Guide To Child Sex Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Sextortion, & Online Enticement

Joe Laramie is a retired police Lt. with more than three decades of law enforcement experience, including serving as the Commander of the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Laramie Top 3 Tips to Protect Children Online:

Stop focusing on the tech: While it’s impossible to know every app and online game out there, it is possible to know your own child. Laramie says to start focusing on your child’s behavior, rather than what apps they are using. If children learn early on what behaviors are appropriate and what consequences they will face for breaking rules online, they are more likely to maintain safe behaviors no matter what type of app they use.
Think in terms of how to manage communication with your kids: Before parents hand over the car keys for the first time, they always give teens driving lessons, teach them the rules of the road and what consequences they will face for breaking a parent’s trust. Laramie says it should be the same scenario when it comes to technology. Parents should know what their kids are doing on their phones and computers and how long they are using their devices each day. It’s important to stay involved and keep an open dialogue.
Know who your kid hangs out with: If a friend comes over to play or hang out, parents know exactly who they are. With technology, many parents allow kids to communicate with their "friends" without ever knowing who is on the other end of the chat. Laramie says parents should regularly ask their children who they are chatting with and who their online friends are. When parents ask questions and show a genuine interest, it makes a big difference.

Learn from Smart Social's resources:

Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/

Subscribe to our podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

Omegle Homepage — **Omegle Chat Website: How Students Meet Strangers (SmartSocial.com Guide for Parents and Educators)** Aug 24, 2020
Show notes

SmartSocial.com's Omegle Guide for Parents and Educators: https://smartsocial.com/omegle/
What is Omegle chat?
Users go to Omegle.com to instantly start a text or video chat with strangers
Visitors can use keywords to find people with shared interests
College students can enter a .edu email address (which the site uses for verification) to find other students
There is also an “adult” section
The website is free to use and is available in multiple languages
A graphic on top of the website shows how many other users are online at any (it’s often 40,000+)
**Where is Omegle available?**
Omele.com is available on any web browser
The website shows users how to easily use add Omegle to the home screen of their phones to make it mobile-friendly
Omegle’s Privacy Policy
There are several apps, include Omega in Google Play and OKAY in the iOS App Store, that have similar logos and offer the same random chat features
**Why should parents care about Omegle?**
Age verification is not required to use Omegle
The website says all users must over 13
It also says anyone under 18 should ask for parental permission
**Strangers can easily ask for personal information, share explicit messages, or appear on screen nude**
Strangers often send usernames to connect on other apps, like Snapchat, Kik, and Discord
Although your student might feel like their chat is private, anyone can record their screen or take a screenshot
Omegle.com offers “moderated” chats, but says “Moderation is not perfect. You may still encounter people who misbehave. They are solely responsible for their own behavior.”
**What can parents do?**
It’s important to not only tell your children not to visit sites like Omegle, but also to explain WHY
You can use settings or a parental monitoring app to block Omegle.com, but kids can often find ways around that (For example, visiting banned websites at a friend’s house)
Teach your kids to never share personal information with strangers online
Remind them about the dangers of meeting up with someone from the internet in real life
Tell them they can always come to you (or a trusted adult) if they ever feel uncomfortable about something that happened online
**Learn from Smart Social's resources:**
Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/
Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/
Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member and unlock 30+ workshops (learn online safety and how to Shine Online™): https://learn.smartsocial.com/
Download the free Smart Social app: https://smartsocial.com/app
Learn the top 100 popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/
View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/
Learn the latest Teen Slang, Emojis & Hashtags: https://smartsocial.com/teen-slang-emojis-hashtags-list/
Get ideas for offline activities for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Get Educational Online Activity ideas for your students: https://smartsocial.com/offline-activities-reduce-screentime/
Subscribe to our podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1269872857
Google Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Ikvg45xcfqi3cz5vxy7vsryf3uq
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SafeSmartSocial/videos

The Parent Compass Book Teaches Students to Focus on Life with Intention (with guests Cindy Muchnick & Jenn Curtis) Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

Jenn Curtis and Cindy Muchnick felt like they were “punched in the gut” when they first heard about the 2019 college admissions cheating scandal.

“We want to encourage parents to accept and love the child they have, not the child they want to inauthentically create,” explained Curtis.

They believe that if you teach students to live life with their own intentions, you can help them better achieve success.

“I think it’s the pushing kids that comes from parents that really creates this dissonance and this noise that is so hard for students to get passed because they’re so fragile and worried about pleasing their parents,” Muchnick explained.

Instead, they urge parents to focus on building the “whole child” by teaching resilience, grit, and how to bounce back from mistakes.

They also believe in the importance of praising students along their journey, rather than only for the end result. Watch the video version on this podcast here.

The Parent Compass Book: https://www.parentcompassbook.com/

Learn from Smart Social's resources: