Apps, Attention, and Family Boundaries (8th Grader Teen Panel)

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:Short videos feel harmless because each clip is quick. But that’s exactly why time can slip away, especially at night.In this episode, we talk about how parents can use YouTube’s settings for supervised teen accounts to add helpful guardrails around Shorts, plus how to set a simple family expectation that reduces pushback. If your teen has ever planned to watch one thing and ended up scrolling for much longer, this will give you a clear starting point.For the full parent walkthrough, visit SmartSocial.com.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:Parents, what happens after your teen opens their apps to hit play has a way of making screen time quietly take over. Four students helped Josh pull back the curtain on the part parents rarely see: the moment a normal video turns into a feed, a streak, a suggestion, and suddenly your teen is still awake, still scrolling, and everyone’s frustrated. That’s when sleep gets shorter, focus gets harder, and family conversations get tense. And the more “rules” turn into rapid-fire reminders, the more kids learn to hide instead of talk. If you want screen time boundaries that actually match what teens are up against, start here.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he chats with Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of the Val Verde Unified School District. They delve into the real-world impacts of digital information, proactive online reputation management, and the prominent challenges like TikTok dangers, group text messages, and the mental health impact of excessive screen time. Dr. Amerson shares his journey from professional baseball to education, offering insights into safeguarding students with policies, engaging parents, and leveraging AI responsibly in education. Listen for practical advice on creating a safer, positive online experience for students and their communities.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs explores digital safety and student success online with Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools, and Dr. Matt Kuhn, Chief Technology Officer for the district. They discuss strategies for responsible technology use, the impact of AI in education, social media challenges, and ways to foster collaboration between schools and parents. With tips on handling screen time, students' online interactions, and the balance between entertainment and education, this conversation provides valuable insights for educators, parents, and community leaders working to keep students safe and successful in a digital world.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Andy Beaton, Assistant Superintendent in ISD 622, to discuss the challenges and strategies for keeping students safe online. The conversation covers a range of topics including the implications of AI on student learning, the dangers of social media, and the importance of digital citizenship. With valuable tips for parents, educators, and administrators, Andy shares his extensive experience and insights on how to foster a safe and productive digital environment for young people.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the SmartSocial.com podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Dr. Stefan Bean, the Orange County Superintendent of Schools, to discuss digital safety, emotional intelligence, and the integration of AI in education. Dr. Bean shares his journey from being airlifted from Vietnam with polio to his role as a superintendent and his mission to serve the most vulnerable students. Hear practical strategies for parents and educators to foster students' emotional intelligence, resilience, and preparedness for future jobs. Learn about the 5-3-1 strategic plan and how AI can responsibly support students' mental health and academic success. Don't miss this inspiring and informative conversation aimed at keeping kids safe and successful online.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the smart social.com podcast, hosted by Josh Ochs, Dr. Jen Schwanke, Deputy Superintendent of Dublin City Schools, discusses practical tactics for digital safety. They explore key challenges students face online, such as direct messaging, TikTok challenges, and screen addiction. Jen emphasizes the importance of teaching students resilience and the ability to manage their digital reputations. With references to educational trends and real-world examples, the episode provides valuable insights for parents, educators, and guardians aiming to keep students safe and successful online.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Frank Narducci, Superintendent of Chandler Unified School District, to discuss digital safety for students. They delve into the challenges of managing students' screen time, social media use, and the impact of artificial intelligence. Superintendent Narducci shares practical advice for parents and educators on creating a safe digital environment, highlighting the importance of balance, communication, and education. They also discuss trends in digital behavior, potential dangers, and strategies for preventing cyberbullying and misinformation. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone responsible for guiding children in today's digital world..Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

AI toys look like harmless gifts, but many of them work like a kid-friendly chatbot with a microphone attached. In this episode, we unpack why that matters for real families: how a child can start trusting a “friendly” toy voice, what that can lead to, and why privacy settings and data policies are not optional details. You’ll also hear a simple, realistic plan parents can use right away, including where these toys should (and should not) be used at home, what to check in the settings, and how to spot the red flags when a company’s privacy language feels intentionally confusing.

Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletterJoin our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/eventsEpisode Summary:In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Dr. Mitch Young, Superintendent of Schools in Forsyth County, Georgia, to discuss the critical role of AI as a thought partner in education and the challenges schools face in maintaining digital safety. They cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of screen time on students, dealing with social media trends, the importance of building a culture of safety, and effective ways to collaborate with parents on digital safety. Tune in for practical strategies, insights from real students, and expert advice for keeping kids safe and successful online.Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vipDistrict Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partnerDownload the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownloadLearn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™