1/15/21 Upcoming teen seminar
Attn families with children ages 11 and up (or younger families who are interested in learning how to keep your children safe from dangerous situations they may encounter someday!) Better Screen Time, a trusted and EXTREMELY informative group is hosting a FREE family seminar next Tuesday, 1/19/21, at 8:00 pm. TECH TRUTHS FROM A TEEN…
3/7/20 Child on Child Sexual Abuse
I know it seems like it could never be your child…but why take that risk? Even the best filters in the world can’t protect kids at all times, so your best bet is to educate yourself AND your kids. With screens in their lives, the risk of being exposed to pornography is too great to…
2/13/20 Parents, Stop Teenage Privacy NOW
This one is a MUST READ!!! Don’t give them this privacy!!! Make your home a safehaven for your children- give them space to escape from the world! The “privacy” of their phone is DEFINITLEY not the privacy they need! “Now, when teenagers walk into that (bed)room and close the door, they are no longer alone…
SCREENAGERS- less than 2 weeks away!!!
When: Tuesday 2/11/20 Doors open 6:00pm, movie begins at 6:30 PM Where: St. Paul the Apostle Denning Hall 916 E Rusholme, Davenport Presented by Navigating Technology Together Are you watching kids scroll through life with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? The award-winning film, SCREENAGERS, probes into the vulnerable corners of…
1/20/20 Waiting is loving
“The grace period for parental ignorance is over. It’s time to stop the madness. It’s time to parent differently. It’s time to say “no” more often. Your kid won’t die or become a social outcast without a smartphone. It’s time to get together with other parents and collectively decide that kids don’t need a screen to…
1/15/20 Give them a chance to talk and something magical happens..
50 Chats to Grow the Internal Filter- this might be THE MOST important thing when it comes to raising kids with tech at a young age! https://familytechuniversity.com/request50chats/
1/14/20 27%
What is 27%? The percentage of explicit video material on the internet. Imagine the coffee table in your house where you grew up. What if there were four magazines on it every morning? Three of these magazines are family friendly. One of them had explicit content. Every single morning you woke up and picked up…
1/9/20 10 Ways Porn Culture Will Target Your Kids in 2020 (be prepared, not scared!)
First- what is “porn culture?” It’s the sexualization of nearly every aspect of life. It’s a sex-obsessed society. It’s in every movie, song, ad, website, app, and the list goes on. It’s something parents today need to be highly aware of, as media has it’s grip on your children as much as you allow it…
12/17/19 Three articles that pack a punch
Everywhere we go, people are talking about these articles that were shared within the last two weeks. If you didn’t read them yet, here they are. https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2019/12/12/when-6th-graders-can-access-rape-porn-on-their-smartphones-school-becomes-toxic/?fbclid=IwAR2-b0iit57Qb9hkFU2NZMyFcopYQ2Fd0jGuX1qW0I-2ACLdlkSgJjFG014/
12/14/19 Another important article- I’m a 37 year old mom and I spent seven days online as an 11 year old girl. Here’s what I learned
Very disturbing…hard to read…so important
12/13/19 This one is hard to read—When 6th graders can access rape porn on their smartphones…
“Our children are growing up in a very different world than the one we knew as kids. Gone are the days of your grandfather’s Playboy. Today, children have access to explicit, violent and degrading sexual material in the palm of their hands at all times.” “This is where many kids get their sex education. This is…
12/12/19 NY TIMES: Video games and online chats are “hunting grounds” for sexual predators
“Reports of abuse are emerging with unprecedented frequency around the country, with some perpetrators grooming hundreds and even thousands of victims, according to a review of prosecutions, court records, law enforcement reports and academic studies. Games are a common target, but predators are also finding many victims on social platforms like Instagram and Kik Messenger.”
12/10/19 Don’t let devices ruin your holidays!
Some of our favorite tips: #11 Plan for tech free activities #10 Set boundaries for when friends and family visit #8 Enjoy any new tech WITH your kids #7Watch for unsafe or problematic apps #6 Substitute YOUR phone for a digital camera (give yourself a break!) #4 Set a digital curfew #2 Remind your kids…
11/27/19 Screen Free gifting
It can be a challenge to come up with gifts that are not based around a tablet, gaming console or an Apple product. Check out the links below for GREAT ideas that will help keep your kids creative, active and engaged with your family this holiday season! From Betterscreentime.com: From Brooke Romney Writes- a gift…
11/21/19 NTT Family Guide- Pornography
NTT Family Guide #2 *this guide has been adapted from Brooke Romney’s Teen Talk Tuesday. It is designed for teens so adapt as needed for use with younger children We designed this Family Guide to help generate conversations with your children. Sit around a table, keep the conversations light but informative, and make it fun. …
11/21/19 TikTok Takeaways
During Dr. Day’s presentation she shared some TikTok videos that we collected from their main page. These are videos any 13 year old (and up) will encounter on TikTok. Dr Day talked about how the porn industry WANTS your kids hooked- thats why pornography is found everywhere online- they want our kids as are future…
11/20/19 Pornography presentation last night
Dr. Lyndsey Day gave an amazing presentation last night- thank you to all of you who attended! Below are some links to materials that were used or passed out. More will be added soon- we have a lot! These are the best books for having this conversation with children of all ages:
11/12/19 Why wait on the smartphone?
“According to a New York Times piece, many technology executives wait until their child is 14 before they allow them to have a phone. While these teenagers can make calls and text, they are not given a data plan until 16. If leaders of digital giants like Google, eBay, Apple and Yahoo are delaying the…
11/11/19 The Art of Asking People to Put Their Phone Away
“Elaine Giolando, who writes for Fast Company, not long ago decided enough was enough and began asking people to put their phones down. “It’s an experiment in doing something pretty unthinkable these days: asking for someone’s full attention,” she writes in the article. “It takes some vulnerability to speak up, but I’ve found it’s also…
11/9/19 Worrisome Data
“Parents helping parents. This idea is such an essential connection that is needed, with so many parents feeling incredibly unhinged by trying to make a tech balance in their kids’ lives work. One thing that can help these parents are efforts by other parents in their communities.” https://www.screenagersmovie.com/tech-talk-tuesdays/worrisome-data-a-new-call-to-action
11/4/19 No Cell Phones in Schools
“You often hear about “capturing students’ hearts” in education and that’s a wonderful thing. But if you don’t have their attention, you’ll never get to the heart. In other words, we have to first make sure we capture their brains so we can get to the heart. Smartphones were standing in the way. We had…
10/23/19 Sexting facts
Hank Jacobsen spoke at AHS last week and shared some frightening facts about sexting- if your child takes part in sending OR receiving sexts, they (and you!) can be held accountable by law enforcement for disseminating child pornography! Read this fact sheet on the facts about sexting: http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sexting-Factsheet.pdf
10/22/19 3 ways to mentor responsible digital kids
How often are you having CONSTRUCTIVE, CONSTANT, LOVING CONVERSATIONS with your children about online activities? “When parents step up to mentor kids, kids can learn to deliberately use technology in responsible and ethical ways.”
10/17/19 Hank Jacobsen tonight
Come listen to Cpl Hank Jacobsen of the Davenport Police Department speak about internet safety and protecting our kids online. It is never too early to learn about these things to help protect your young children! It’s never too late to change things that need to be changed in order to protect your older children!…
10/2/19 All About Snapchat
This is a very detailed article put about by Protect Young Eyes that can give you all the ins and outs of Snapchat. If your kids are using it or asking to use it, this is a great article to check out!
9/25/19 Snapchat dangers
Do you know all of your children’s friends on Snapchat? https://www.today.com/parents/boy-11-steals-family-car-meet-snapchat-stranger-t163314?fbclid=IwAR3npXVCp9hUTFCWDhQ8Z96hxF6ar5pZ5JtxjnvecHdPHGnz_OmxLdr-TaU
9/23/19 You Can’t Hit Unsend
This is an EXCELLENT podcast to share with your teens- one teen’s story about losing Harvard over memes shared online. https://www.npr.org/2019/09/06/758281834/you-cant-hit-unsend-how-a-social-media-scandal-unfolded-at-harvard
9/11/19 Today’s Mama Podcast- a great listen!
Today’s Mama did a 3 part series on Tech Reset- I have listened to them and there are some GREAT tips here! https://todaysmama.com/podcast/ep7-tech-reset-screentime-series-part-1 https://todaysmama.com/podcast/ep8-tech-reset-screentime-series-part-2 https://todaysmama.com/podcast/ep9-tech-reset-screentime-series-part-3
9/4/19 Parental Controls- if your child has access to the internet, you should be using one (or more) of these
What are Parental Controls? Parental controls are NOT a replacement for parenting. Parental controls are NOT “set it and forget it.” Parental controls ARE a great way to minimize accidental exposures to inappropriate online content. Parental controls SHOULD BE set stronger for young kids and tapered as a child matures. The right parental control solution is going to be different for different families.…
8/29/19 Paul Davis- social media and digital citizenship
On August 26th Paul Davis, an IT expert who travels around speaking to parents and kids about social networking and digital safety, spoke at PV High School. Here are some notes from Paul’s talk. Paul states that in homes with technology parents need to have three things: Rules Guidelines for those rules Consequences We need…
8/26/19 Important TED talk
We’ve shared this before but feel compelled to share it again. We hope you watch it, and take to heart the message Collin Kartchner shares. Save the kids!!!
8/20/19 Where do the child predators hang out?
Tik Tok and Snapchat are on this list- apps most elementary age kids are trying to (or have already) talk their parents into. https://www.newsweek.com/police-here-are-15-apps-dangerous-children-predators-lurk-school-begins-1453175
8/7/19 A new school year is coming…do you have a plan for technology during the school year?
Now is the time to start thinking: Did you like the way technology was used in your home last year? Did your children have a good balance of technology in their life? Do you want to make any changes in how it’s used in your home? Here is one family’s rules for tech in their…
7/22/19 You CAN identify the problem and make the change!
“Half of mental health problems develop by adolescence,” professors Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell said. “There is a need to identify factors linked to mental health issues that are [able to be changed] in this population, as most are difficult or impossible to influence. How children and adolescents spend their leisure time is [easier] to…
7/1/19
Just an example of why we follow Collin Kartchner- who would have thought 5th and 6th graders would do this? Instagram and Snapchat (along with other social media platforms) open your child up to a world of crazy ideas. Brains that are not fully developed and lack impulse control struggle to deal with what they…
6/26/19 Reasons Today’s Kids are Bored, Entitled, Impatient with Few Real Friends
“Using technology as a “Free babysitting service” is, in fact, not free at all. The payment is waiting for you just around the corner. ” “The ability to delay gratification is one of the key factors for future success. We have the best intentions – to make our children happy – but unfortunately, we make them…
6/14/19 #SaveTheKids
If your kids are on social media, you should be too! Follow Collin Kartchner on Instagram and watch his stories- on a daily basis he shares why he is working so hard to fight the negative impact of social media on children. And if your kids are too young for social media- follow Collin and…
6/11/19 WHEN should I talk to my kids about sexting? HOW should I talk to my kids about sexting?
The answer to “when?” is RIGHT NOW. If your child has access to text or use social media with their friends, doesn’t matter if they are girls or boys, talk to them now and keep the conversation going! https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/talking-about-sexting And a great handbook to guide the conversation: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/landing_pages/sexting_handbook_ce_1020_1_.pdf
6/5/19 Your daughter’s body image
In todays world of media, body image is an increasingly important topic to address with all kids. Could all those selfies and filters do damage? Experts are saying YES. A little bit about body dysmorphia stemming from social media: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/10/health/snapchat-dysmorphia-cosmetic-surgery-social-media-trend-trnd/index.html
6/3/19 Fun summer idea- kids cooking camp
A Fun Summer Activity By Maureen Witmer School is almost over and the fun days of summer are coming. Fun, that is, for a few days (if we’re lucky) until the question ‘I’m bored. What can I do?’ is asked on repeat. Last year, I answered that question by creating a DIY camp that my kids and I…
6/1/19 How to raise a low media child
1- Out of sight- out of mind! 2- Recognize the need for quiet activities 3-Allow some boredom 4-Phones are for grown ups 5-own less technology 6- set a good example 7- decide on your limits and stick to it!
5/27/19 Lyndsey Day
Monica Burchett opened the meeting in prayer and then pointed us towards a few important releases since our last meeting. A scientist has taken brain scans of children who play Fortnite and compared them with children who do not play Fortnite. The reward center portion of the brain in the children who play Fortnite is…
5/23/19 Last NTT meeting
St. Paul’s Navigating Technology Together Thursday, May 23rd, 6:30pm St Paul’s Media Center Come be supported and empowered to make decisions that will help your entire family!
5/20/19 The nightmare videos of Children’s YouTube
Have you wondered about those weird videos on Youtube that toddlers and preschoolers love to watch? The ones they start watching and have a hard time turning off? An interesting TED talk about those videos…
5/20/19 We aren’t alone- Mama bears making a difference!
These women are not only inspiring, but this is a great resource to go to when you’re looking for options, advice or support!
5/16/19 Madonna says…
From an interview with Vogue magazine, “When most families expand, the parents tend to relax their rules, but Madonna says she feels the need to protect her children more than ever. She hasn’t allowed her 13-year-old son David to have a phone yet. “I’m going to stick that one out for as long as possible,…
5/10/19 New YOLO app takes #1 in the app store- what you need to know
If you’re monitoring a child’s Snapchat account like I am, you surely saw something from this new app YOLO this week. YOLO is an anonymous messaging app that kids log into through snapchat and then share the anonymous messages and their responses on snapchat. Like the linked Protect Young Eyes article says, anonymous is NEVER…
5/3/19 Lindsay Schlicksup
Thank you to those who attended our preschool night last night! It was pretty evident right away that this information (while directed towards the preschool crowd) is still very applicable for any age of child. Please read on to hear what Lindsay shared with us. Lindsay is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for the AEA. The…
5/1/19 Connect movie
A great movie for your tweens and teens to watch with you. It’s currently available on Netflix! https://www.connectmovie.com
4/26/19 Today’s technology and how it will affect our kids’ relationships
This a great article- our kids won’t learn how to be in a real relationship behind a screen. https://chastity.com/2019/04/important-part-relationship/ And this article is older but still very good and relevant: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teen-texting-the-ruin-of-romance_n_3763576
4/17/19 Lisa Beecher, Mental Health Therapist
NTT Meeting #3 Intro by Sarah Kahler: The intent of our meetings is to EMPOWER each other. We want to help you decide what is best for your families. NTT offers a range of topics to help all families. We want you to look to us for guidance- here are our names and contact info…
4/15/19 One mom’s experience- Musically…TikTok…Social media
A great article- check it out: https://humanparts.medium.com/what-i-gave-my-kid-instead-of-a-smartphone-27c0f028ea78 “Kids don’t belong to parents. Their childhood is on loan to us. It’s our job to raise the kid part the best we can, and then they’re supposed to take it from there. It’s an extraordinary responsibility, isn’t it? To be entrusted with another person’s handful of childhood…
4/9/19 Number of kids going to the ER with suicidal thoughts DOUBLES
Why??? The pressure to be perfect, the pressure to succeed, exposure to the ideas of suicide, too much information, cyberbullying, stress passed down from parents, depression, so many reasons. https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/08/health/child-teen-suicide-er-study/index.html
4/4/19 Notes from Author Julia Cook’s parent night
Julia Cook is a former school counselor turned author, after seeing a need to create books that helped our kids learn to deal with different issues they encounter. She was very enjoyable to listen to and very high energy- so enjoy these notes that may seem a little bit jumbled! 🙂 Much of her talk…
4/3/19 The hidden costs of letting your children be raised by screens and smart devices
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/the-hidden-costs-of-letting-your-children-be-raised-by-screens-and-smart-devices.html “To many parents, smartphones and iPads are wonderful babysitters — a funny Youtube video playing on a screen can work miles better than any pacifier or nanny. But this convenience has its costs.” “Psychologist Jean Twenge thinks members of what she calls iGen (born between 1995 and 2012) “are on the brink of the…
3/31/19 Protect Young Eyes
This is another AMAZING resource for parents. Click here and enter your email at the bottom to subscribe to their emails packed with helpful information for parents. Their most recent email touches on Apex Legends (the game Officer Hank Jacobsen mentioned,) social media, blocking pornography on your devices, Google Docs used as chat, and several…
3/26/19 Excellent resource- BetterScreenTime.com
Check out this great resource! https://betterscreentime.com Parents Tyler and Andrea Davis have created this site and many resources and articles to help other parents! Check out their site for some great tools. Andrea recently heard Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician and a researcher on how early experiences affect the brain. Here are her favorite takeaways…
3/24/19 Brain hacking- how the tech companies get us hooked
Have you heard of “brain hacking?” It’s something we should know about- it’s what gets us addicted to our phones, video games, technology. Watch- learn- let’s protect our kids against addiction!!!
3/21/19 YOU are responsible for your children! TED talk from a police detective
11 minutes that could save your child. Please watch!
3/19/19 Setting Boundaries
A great article on setting boundaries for our kids…and our selves! https://www.netnanny.com/blog/setting-boundaries-for-tech-addicted-kids-and-parents/
3/15/19 Anxiety in our kids
Ever wonder why today’s kids deal with more anxiety? The following article outlines 10 reasons why. From Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201711/10-reasons-teens-have-so-much-anxiety-today
3/9/19
We’ve received several links from other SPS parents- thank you to those of you that are sharing these resources with us! 1- Youtube has a pedophile problem. This is a great article and reminder that You Tube is NOT a safe place for kids. Pedophiles are out there and tagging innocent videos to draw in…
3/7/19
Parenting great kids podcast from Dr. Meg Meeker, with Dr. Tom Kersting. School counselor and private practice therapist. Title: Kids and Screens Listen to this podcast to hear about social media and video games affect on the brain, how they are affecting the brain’s operations and developing emotional skills. Learn about “acquired ADHD” ——->If you…
If Instagram is in your home…
Check out the following video. Instagram is known for making kids feel depressed, and this highlights some of the reasons why.
Officer Hank Jacobsen
Notes from Hank’s talk on 2/28/19: Talk to your kids! These kids are born into the technology so it’s normal to them. But it starts with us- our rules. Our expectations. (He mentions a new game coming to rival Fornite- called Apex) Technology will not take over their lives if YOU control it. The…
3/4/19
From Protect Young Eyes (click for article) Mom does in depth research on Musically (now Tik Tok)
3/3/19
Thank you to everyone that has joined us for our first two parent meetings- we are thrilled with how well-attended the meetings have been! We plan to use this site to share any articles/videos/research we come across. There is an email subscription link on the page- add your email to be updated whenever we add…
St. Paul's Navigating Technology Together 