We asked high school senior Krizhna Bayudan, who is working with The Social Institute this fall as a Student Insider, how she ⚖ balances life and technology. It’s not easy, but it’s possible! Read about how Krizhna and her friends at Lahainaluna High School 🌺 win at social by striking a balance every day.
“Suit up!” “Game on!” We use lots of sports metaphors and lingo on this website. Why? Because thinking about social media as a game that can be won or lost is a simple but powerful way to convey just how important it is that students use social media for good. When they don’t win this game, they can lose — their self-esteem, their friends, their reputation, even their life. And where do players and coaches get the most work done off the field? The locker room. 👊
The best reason to run through “What if” scenarios with your child? Not only does she feel empowered, but she also knows that her parents know what to do when something bad happens. It builds tremendous trust. Laura Tierney talks to Gail Marie about growing up with parents who still use “What ifs” to prepare her for what’s ahead (even though she’s in her 40’s now…not that she’ll ever have it all figured out).
Did you see the article in The Atlantic about how smartphones are destroying a generation of students? Social media was full of posts from concerned parents and teachers, and rightly so: Alongside it were other articles about the alarmingly high teen suicide rate and the latest examples of cyberbullying. But not all teens are losing the game of social media. Some are making their (and our!) world a better place.
The subscription-based digital educational platform is built for parents struggling to help their kids navigate social media as digital citizens. As a team member, you’ll lock arms with us and other parents around the country to help kids win the game of social media.
A recent high school graduate and member of our first Student League, Abby Straub writes about the importance of networking — even as a college freshman — and how social media makes it easier than ever (once you get past the 🦋 butterflies 🦋 in your stomach, that is).
We huddled with Duke Football assistant coach Derek Jones. With over 29,000 followers on Twitter, @DukeCoachDJ shares his 140-character advice with student-athletes and coaches around the globe. Learn how he uses social media to inspire his followers and to decide which new players to recruit. Here’s a taste: “The way you present yourself [on social media] speaks volumes.”
Huddles: That’s what we call short one-on-one conversations between parents and kids about ways to win at social. With lots of summertime social media free time ahead☀️⏱☀️, it’s a good idea to talk with your child about how to use it best. Huddle up!
If you’re the parent of a middle- or high-schooler in 2017, there’s a good chance that your mom didn’t share baby photos of you on social media. A college recruiter can’t Google your name and see your eighth-grade graduation pics. Your potential boss can’t come across your naked toddler self in the bath tub. So, ask your child’s permission when they’re old enough, and use it as a chance to reinforce high standards.
What should you do when your child wants to play at a friend’s house where the technology rules are less stringent? Where he’ll have access to more screen time, a cell phone, or video games — things that are not allowed at your home? The answer requires some hard work for parents. And, as always, we’re here to help.
It’s time to turn the traditional technology contract on its head. No more “I will not” this and “I will not” that. No more lone child signatures at the bottom. Families, it’s time to agree to work together to live up to high social standards together with a family tech contract.
Witnesses to cyberbullying far outnumber the victims and the bullies, combined. When they back up the people who are bullied — when their positive voices overpower the mean words, embarrassing photos, intentional exclusions — good things happen. We call it cyberbacking.
Press coverage about the new Netflix show is dying down, but teens are still talking about it. This is what they’re saying. It may surprise you.
“My dad always says to choose the hard right over the easy wrong, and no one did that in this show,” says Emily, a high school senior who asked her mom to watch “13 Reasons Why” with her. How do they recommend other parents and teens approach this controversial series? With open minds and as many conversations as necessary.
We get it — you want to know what your child is doing online, which apps they’re downloading, who they are talking to, and how many hours they’re playing Pokemon Go. But using spyware to keep tabs is exhausting for you and invasive for them. It’s also, in the long run, not as effective as having regular conversations about social and digital. We call it huddling.