For Parents
Table of Contents:
A. Introduction
B. Statistics
C. Must watch documentary
D. Important Resources for Parents
E. Great Instagram Accounts
F. Boundaries and Tips for Electronics
G. Parents' Guide to Kids and Media
H. How to place parental controls on Android
I. How to place parental controls on Iphone/Apple
J. Gryphon's Digital Parenting Guide
K. Sample Parent/Child Technology Contracts
L. Risks of Social Media
M. Podcast Episodes
Parents, with social media access at our fingertips and kids having access to the world wide web at the push of a button, it is extremely important you are educated on the dangers of social media for our children, not only for sexual predators but for the damage it causes to a developing brain as well as to the mental health of the child. We all want to protect our children while at the same time wanting them to be aware of the world around them. My goal is to equip you with knowledge on what is going on so you can make the best informed decision for your children.
Popular phrases parents say: "that could never happen to my child" or "that would never happen to my child" or "my child knows better" or "my child would never lie to me" or "I trust my child completely". We don't give our kids the keys to the car until they are ready to drive, it's the same concept for technology. Let's prepare and equip them.
THIS DOCUMENTARY IS A MUST WATCH!!
IMPORTANT Resources for Parents:
Young Eyes - YouTube (video)
40+ Frightening Social Media and Mental Health Statistics — Etactics
The Best Cell Phones For Kids To Help Them Stay Safe in 2021 (scarymommy.com)
How to Use Parental Controls on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat - WSJ
How Much Screen Time Is Too Much, for Children and Adults (insider.com)
Why kids and teens may face far more anxiety these days - The Washington Post
Parents, Please Be Aware Of The Dangers Of TikTok (scarymommy.com) (article)
Wait Until 8th (phenomenal website)
Why wait? — Wait Until 8th (article)
How much screen time is too much? (article)
Too Much Screen time damages the brain (research article)
Why Gabb™ - Gabb Wireless (SAFE Cell phone for kids, they also have a Watch)
Best Parental Control Router to Manage Your Child & Screen time (gryphonconnect.com)
Great Resources
Instagram Accounts:
@waituntil8th
@exoduscry
@barktechnologies
@doc_amen
@healthyscreenhabits
@protectyoungeyes
@gabbwireless
@techwiselittles
@yamipence
BOUNDARIES and Tips for Electronics:
No cell phones or electronics in bedroom EVER
Laptops/Tablets/IPADs in common areas (like the living room or kitchen)
Parental controls on ALL devices (Also known as "screen time" on i-phones)
Set screen time (App limits, Communication limits, Content and privacy restrictions)
How To put restrictions on your child's tablet or iphone: (see video below)
On your child's iOS device, open Settings.
Select Screen time --> Content & Privacy Restrictions --> Content Restrictions-->Web Content --> Limit Adult Websites or you can choose Allowed Websites only (and you can manually enter the only websites they can go on) --->Then go to Movies/TV shows/Apps for each section--> Choose the rating you want for your child
and
Select Screen time --> App Limits
and
Select Screen time --> Communication Limits --> During Downtime
-->Specific Contacts ---> During Screentime ---> Contacts only
Deactivate internet browser (age appropriate)
How To Disable Safari on iPhone or iPad?
On your child's iOS device, open Settings.
Select Screen time --> Content & Privacy Restrictions --> Allowed Apps.
Enter your Screen Time Passcode. Depending on your iOS version, you may be required to enter your passcode in the previous step.
-->Switch Safari to OFF.
No cell phones/tablets at bedtime (set a time where you collect all devices)
Access to passwords (Remember you own the phone and you pay for the phone. It is your phone)
Set up a contract with the child . Go over everything in detail about what a cell phone is for. (Age appropriate).
If your child is 9 and up, or they use electronics or have friends who use electronics-PLEASE talk to your children about sexually explicit images/videos they may encounter and coming up with an action plan. If you need guidance, I highly recommend the book "Good Pictures Bad Pictures" by Kristen A Jenson
Digital Parenting Guide by gryphon.pdfSamples of contracts:
Risks of Social Media Regarding Suicide ideation (Source: https://www.nova.edu/publications/florida-school-toolkit-educators-to-prevent-suicide/80/)
• About 60 percent of individuals ages 14 to 24 are exposed to suicide-related content through Internet sources (Dunlop, More, and Romer, 2011).
• Unfortunately, digital media, such as the news, television, and movies, may encourage suicide when the suicide of the victim is glamorized and details of the suicide are provided.
• Social media gives voice to pro-suicide groups that portray suicide as a solution and an acceptable option, which may normalize and encourage suicide for a troubled individual.
• Social media can encourage a variety of behaviors such as cyberbullying, and 14.9 percent of students reported that they had been electronically bullied through texting or social media sites (CDC, 2018).
• Emotional negativity can be spread much more quickly and to more recipients on social media than through interactions in person. Other negative effects may include:
- Access to suicidal images or methods that may normalize suicidal behavior and increase contagion.
- The propensity for inaccurate information about suicide to circulate and be viewed (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019). Social media platforms commonly used by teens involve the sharing of content that is created by the users (in this case, adolescents) rather than media professionals. This highlights the need to expand safe messaging guidelines to incorporate creators of content (adolescents) on social media. It is important for school personnel to not only model responsible social media usage, but to educate our youth on how to communicate about suicide appropriately on social media. This means emphasizing that suicide is preventable and that the intervention of one young person knowing the importance of seeking adult help can make all the difference to save a life.
Podcast Episodes I recommend on this topic:
--> "Not My Kid." The Harsh Truth About the Impact of Social Media & Technology Lisa Paige Made Me Do It
--> Saving Our Kids & Ourselves from Screens & Social Media with Collin Kartchner Find The Magic
Middle school Important Info- June 2 Dojo Post.pdf