LiveMe: Live Streaming App or Pedophile’s Online Paradise?
Live streaming– Teens and adults are using it more and more to broadcast, chat, share and follow one another. But let’s take a look at the popular live streaming LiveMe app and explore who uses it, who benefits from it, what are the safeguards and is it appropriate for 13+ as suggested. LiveMe first advertised itself as the number […]
Teens of Value Social Media
Knowing why teens value social media is just as important as understanding why teens are taking breaks from social media. Behind teens and social media is purpose driven social media marketing. Not unlike adults, teens desire to be relevant, be a part of a group or community and have value. Unlike when their parents were growing up and had […]
School Shootings: How to Prepare our Kids
ONE school shooting is too many! What are schools across the country doing to improve school safety and avoid school shootings? How are children handling school preparedness? Do students feel safe in school? In response to recent school shootings, school security measures may actually be doing more to scare kids than protect them. It’s worth examining the notion that in our […]
Digital Citizenship: More Important Than Ever
Respect, educate, prevent and protect are commonly associated with digital citizenship. Today, we are finding these common elements are more important than even when it comes to how students and adults conduct themselves, especially on social media. Digital Citizenship as defined in an article written by Terry Heick, is “The quality of habits, actions, and consumption […]
Brain and Social Media
There have been several articles written about how social media affects the brain. CNN reported recently that researchers at UCLA’s Brain Mapping Center found that when teenagers’ photos get lots of “likes” on social media apps, such as Instagram, their brains respond in a similar way to seeing loved ones or winning money. Dr. Lisa Strohman, Founder and CEO of […]
Digital Addiction: Social Networking ~ A 24/7 Distraction
Addiction defined is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. In a recent article in the Boston Herald stating, “What began as a method of emergency contact has evolved into a 24/7 distraction, spurring what many would classify as a digital addiction for adults and teens alike,” underscores the need for parents, […]
Social Media Trolls ~ Purpose and Prevention
According to the report, “What is behind the spike in Russian social media activity?” shown in a news clip Monday, April 17, 2018, the Pentagon reported there has been a 2000% increase in Russian social media trolling since the US strike on Syria on Friday. What does this mean and should the US and other countries be […]
FERPA and Social Networking
School district personnel need to ask the question: Is your use of social networking FERPA compliant? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. You can read […]
Teach Students To Use Social Media The Right Way
Focusing on the positive impact of social media in the classroom, teach students to use social media the right way by demonstrating why it’s important to be proficient in digital communications skills such as texting, tweeting, and Instagramming. Use social media to foster collaborative community learning environments. Get creative and involve students in how collaborative learning environments might be achieved. Encourage […]
Impact of Social Media on Learning
Does social media impact learning? Let’s look at the positive and negative impact of social media on learning. Positive impact for learning ~ digital communication skills that need to be mastered including texting, tweeting, and Instagramming can be strengthened. Students are more willing to complete assignments when they can use technology to research and share information, communicate or […]