WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.289 --> 00:00:07.420 Hello and welcome back to our 3rd episode of the Digital Age series. 2 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:08.479 I'm Sarah O'Donnell, 3 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:09.880 director of communications, 4 00:00:09.949 --> 00:00:12.260 and we're really excited you're here with us today. 5 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:14.760 Today we're gonna be talking a little bit 6 00:00:14.760 --> 00:00:18.639 about how social media affects students' emotional well-being. 7 00:00:19.100 --> 00:00:22.139 Really talking about how they are balancing connection, 8 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:23.340 comparison, 9 00:00:23.659 --> 00:00:24.239 and 10 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:26.250 highlighting what schools and families can do to 11 00:00:26.250 --> 00:00:29.780 really help students maintain those healthy digital habits. 12 00:00:30.180 --> 00:00:32.250 To help us with that conversation today, 13 00:00:32.348 --> 00:00:33.619 we have Lara Nugent, 14 00:00:33.860 --> 00:00:35.459 school counselor from Spash, 15 00:00:35.580 --> 00:00:37.090 and Trevor Newkirchen, 16 00:00:37.459 --> 00:00:39.619 school counselor from Ben Franklin Junior High, 17 00:00:39.779 --> 00:00:40.150 joining us. 18 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:42.209 Thank you so much for being here. 19 00:00:42.459 --> 00:00:42.599 pleasure. 20 00:00:42.860 --> 00:00:43.740 Thank you. 21 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:44.590 Uh, 22 00:00:44.720 --> 00:00:44.959 Lara, 23 00:00:45.080 --> 00:00:47.439 can you start off by just telling us a little bit about yourself, 24 00:00:47.520 --> 00:00:48.790 what you do in the district? 25 00:00:49.080 --> 00:00:49.520 Yeah, 26 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:50.259 so 27 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:52.349 this is technically my, 28 00:00:52.599 --> 00:00:52.759 well, 29 00:00:52.869 --> 00:00:54.459 my 4th year at Spash 30 00:00:54.830 --> 00:00:59.549 and my 13th year overall as a school counselor. 31 00:01:00.040 --> 00:01:00.520 So 32 00:01:00.720 --> 00:01:00.950 yeah, 33 00:01:01.090 --> 00:01:01.099 yeah, 34 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:02.000 things have been going well. 35 00:01:02.150 --> 00:01:02.919 Thanks for being here. 36 00:01:02.979 --> 00:01:03.400 And Trevor, 37 00:01:03.450 --> 00:01:03.990 how about you? 38 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:04.400 Sure, 39 00:01:04.470 --> 00:01:06.120 this is my 2nd year at Ben, 40 00:01:06.190 --> 00:01:07.480 7th year as a counselor. 41 00:01:08.370 --> 00:01:08.949 Awesome, 42 00:01:09.059 --> 00:01:09.800 awesome. 43 00:01:10.459 --> 00:01:10.529 Well, 44 00:01:10.580 --> 00:01:12.099 let's just jump right in 45 00:01:12.220 --> 00:01:16.019 and I'm really curious to know kind of some things that you're noticing 46 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:19.379 among students and that you see in the buildings that you work in 47 00:01:19.660 --> 00:01:21.980 around social media and mental health. 48 00:01:22.860 --> 00:01:26.319 I think what I'm seeing a lot of 49 00:01:26.739 --> 00:01:28.419 is Snapchat, 50 00:01:28.620 --> 00:01:29.139 um, 51 00:01:29.459 --> 00:01:30.580 a lot, 52 00:01:30.980 --> 00:01:32.139 a lot of Snapchat. 53 00:01:32.650 --> 00:01:33.339 Um, 54 00:01:33.660 --> 00:01:36.220 I think a lot among the girls, 55 00:01:36.580 --> 00:01:36.980 um, 56 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:37.959 that's like 57 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:39.040 their main 58 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:40.800 messaging system. 59 00:01:41.050 --> 00:01:42.319 It's a way 60 00:01:42.739 --> 00:01:45.230 for you to get connected. 61 00:01:46.160 --> 00:01:50.910 With people without having to give out your personal number and. 62 00:01:51.349 --> 00:01:51.519 You know, 63 00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:53.879 you don't have to have a cell phone plan. 64 00:01:54.080 --> 00:01:54.709 So 65 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:55.419 like 66 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:56.760 there are kids, 67 00:01:56.839 --> 00:01:59.419 like little kids that don't have to have, 68 00:01:59.839 --> 00:02:00.080 you know, 69 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:01.379 cell phone plans that 70 00:02:01.510 --> 00:02:02.559 that can use that. 71 00:02:02.720 --> 00:02:06.059 So a lot of people are turning to those social media apps. 72 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:07.120 Um, 73 00:02:07.440 --> 00:02:09.360 so in terms of mental health too, 74 00:02:09.440 --> 00:02:10.899 like how that's connected, 75 00:02:11.210 --> 00:02:11.960 I think, 76 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:13.000 I don't know about you, 77 00:02:13.119 --> 00:02:13.550 Trevor, 78 00:02:13.630 --> 00:02:14.080 but 79 00:02:14.399 --> 00:02:18.419 I feel like there's way more mental health 80 00:02:19.119 --> 00:02:19.699 issues. 81 00:02:20.529 --> 00:02:24.029 That manifest in the junior high and middle school 82 00:02:24.880 --> 00:02:25.839 than in the high school, 83 00:02:25.889 --> 00:02:27.570 at least that I'm seeing. 84 00:02:28.050 --> 00:02:32.240 But I definitely know that it exists among our high schoolers. 85 00:02:32.369 --> 00:02:35.869 I think particularly among social isolation 86 00:02:36.169 --> 00:02:37.690 for a lot of our students. 87 00:02:37.770 --> 00:02:40.000 I think at first it's there for the, 88 00:02:40.050 --> 00:02:41.809 the purpose of connection, 89 00:02:42.330 --> 00:02:45.770 but it results in like 90 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:49.580 A lot of social isolation because. 91 00:02:50.529 --> 00:02:50.770 You know, 92 00:02:50.809 --> 00:02:54.050 it's the purpose of it is for connection. 93 00:02:54.169 --> 00:02:56.770 And then I think kids get just so used to, 94 00:02:56.929 --> 00:02:57.089 well, 95 00:02:57.169 --> 00:02:57.690 I've got, 96 00:02:57.809 --> 00:02:59.360 I've got my friends on Snapchat. 97 00:02:59.449 --> 00:03:00.949 Why do I need to 98 00:03:01.600 --> 00:03:02.479 meet up with them? 99 00:03:02.570 --> 00:03:03.309 I can just, 100 00:03:03.899 --> 00:03:04.130 you know, 101 00:03:04.289 --> 00:03:04.889 FaceTime. 102 00:03:04.970 --> 00:03:06.910 I don't need to meet up with my boyfriend 103 00:03:07.649 --> 00:03:08.529 in person and go, 104 00:03:08.600 --> 00:03:08.889 you know, 105 00:03:09.009 --> 00:03:09.789 I can just 106 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:11.389 FaceTime them from my bedroom. 107 00:03:11.410 --> 00:03:13.639 And then all of a sudden these kids are just 108 00:03:14.250 --> 00:03:14.639 You know, 109 00:03:14.809 --> 00:03:16.309 self-isolating in their bedroom, 110 00:03:16.330 --> 00:03:19.479 and then all of a sudden that leads to attendance problems. 111 00:03:19.970 --> 00:03:22.389 So it's just a downward spiral. 112 00:03:23.529 --> 00:03:23.860 Yeah, 113 00:03:23.970 --> 00:03:24.250 um, 114 00:03:24.339 --> 00:03:25.020 I would agree. 115 00:03:25.100 --> 00:03:25.880 I think 116 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:28.759 we have a lot of students who really struggle 117 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:32.160 with dissecting the difference between, 118 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:33.419 so 119 00:03:33.539 --> 00:03:35.419 I used to say IRL or in real life, 120 00:03:35.539 --> 00:03:35.779 right? 121 00:03:35.940 --> 00:03:37.160 And I was actually at a conference. 122 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:37.800 Um, 123 00:03:38.059 --> 00:03:39.500 I can't remember the name of the presenter, 124 00:03:39.580 --> 00:03:39.809 but, 125 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:40.029 um, 126 00:03:40.179 --> 00:03:42.520 she studies and does a lot with families in terms of 127 00:03:42.839 --> 00:03:43.550 Um, 128 00:03:43.559 --> 00:03:45.460 online safety and being more aware. 129 00:03:45.559 --> 00:03:46.860 And so she asks, 130 00:03:46.869 --> 00:03:48.110 instead of saying IRL, 131 00:03:48.399 --> 00:03:50.479 like life is life for these kids. 132 00:03:50.559 --> 00:03:51.179 They were born 133 00:03:51.600 --> 00:03:53.080 kind of with a screen in their hands, 134 00:03:53.169 --> 00:03:53.550 right? 135 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:56.520 And so it's online versus offline life, 136 00:03:56.559 --> 00:03:57.520 because it's still life. 137 00:03:57.559 --> 00:03:59.259 It's just online versus offline. 138 00:03:59.759 --> 00:03:59.929 Um, 139 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:01.000 I think Instagram, 140 00:04:01.399 --> 00:04:02.000 Snapchat, 141 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:03.639 and TikTok are our biggest three. 142 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:05.119 The junior highs. 143 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:05.699 Um, 144 00:04:05.779 --> 00:04:07.220 so in terms of social media use, 145 00:04:07.339 --> 00:04:07.460 yeah, 146 00:04:07.570 --> 00:04:09.660 they use it as a way to communicate and connect. 147 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:11.360 And it's interesting because we 148 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:13.100 are more connected than we ever have been, 149 00:04:13.179 --> 00:04:15.139 but yet we also feel very disconnected. 150 00:04:15.710 --> 00:04:16.260 Um, 151 00:04:16.309 --> 00:04:18.809 there's a lot of science and research just talking about 152 00:04:19.149 --> 00:04:22.540 being physically present with somebody versus the difference of not. 153 00:04:22.589 --> 00:04:22.750 I mean, 154 00:04:22.799 --> 00:04:23.970 even looking at people who, 155 00:04:24.390 --> 00:04:24.470 you know, 156 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:25.399 when COVID hit, 157 00:04:25.410 --> 00:04:27.190 and a lot of people are doing teletherapy, 158 00:04:27.470 --> 00:04:29.019 there are a lot of people that 159 00:04:29.350 --> 00:04:30.339 saw their therapist virtually, 160 00:04:30.390 --> 00:04:32.010 but didn't feel the same 161 00:04:32.269 --> 00:04:33.529 as being presently 162 00:04:33.709 --> 00:04:34.510 present with them. 163 00:04:35.190 --> 00:04:37.549 So I think even though it's easy to whip out your phone, 164 00:04:37.709 --> 00:04:38.549 send that snaps, 165 00:04:38.709 --> 00:04:39.829 scroll through TikTok, 166 00:04:39.950 --> 00:04:40.570 or 167 00:04:40.869 --> 00:04:42.149 like something on Instagram, 168 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:44.730 we're missing that like personal 169 00:04:45.109 --> 00:04:45.549 connection. 170 00:04:45.559 --> 00:04:46.489 It's through a screen. 171 00:04:47.190 --> 00:04:48.369 And unfortunately, 172 00:04:48.470 --> 00:04:50.299 we see a lot of 7th graders, 173 00:04:50.429 --> 00:04:50.950 8th graders, 174 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:51.890 and 9th graders 175 00:04:52.070 --> 00:04:54.130 blasting out things through social media, 176 00:04:54.260 --> 00:04:58.309 and I'm getting a lot of students reporting through our bullying report that 177 00:04:58.619 --> 00:05:01.019 There are some negative things being shared and sent, 178 00:05:01.059 --> 00:05:01.579 and I, 179 00:05:01.989 --> 00:05:03.059 I applaud the students, 180 00:05:03.140 --> 00:05:06.359 but I have students like I didn't give them consent to take a picture of me 181 00:05:06.700 --> 00:05:08.079 and post it on social media. 182 00:05:08.309 --> 00:05:09.489 And that's absolutely valid. 183 00:05:09.529 --> 00:05:10.260 And I don't think, 184 00:05:10.820 --> 00:05:13.739 I don't think youth recognize that you do need 185 00:05:13.739 --> 00:05:17.119 somebody's consent before you take a picture and blast it 186 00:05:17.329 --> 00:05:17.980 on our social media. 187 00:05:18.049 --> 00:05:19.839 And we have a lot of teens who feel 188 00:05:21.329 --> 00:05:22.750 Like their autonomy is taken away. 189 00:05:22.829 --> 00:05:24.790 Like I want to be able to post what I want, 190 00:05:25.029 --> 00:05:26.250 not what other people post, 191 00:05:26.589 --> 00:05:26.730 um, 192 00:05:26.869 --> 00:05:29.929 especially if it's polarizing or damaging or, 193 00:05:30.029 --> 00:05:30.230 you know, 194 00:05:30.309 --> 00:05:32.010 slander towards that student. 195 00:05:32.709 --> 00:05:33.070 Um, 196 00:05:33.109 --> 00:05:34.029 in terms of mental health, 197 00:05:34.109 --> 00:05:34.420 I'm, 198 00:05:34.549 --> 00:05:36.190 I do see a lot of anxiety. 199 00:05:36.709 --> 00:05:36.989 Um, 200 00:05:37.070 --> 00:05:38.339 I'm seeing a heightened, 201 00:05:38.429 --> 00:05:38.820 um, 202 00:05:39.429 --> 00:05:40.529 awareness of like 203 00:05:40.869 --> 00:05:42.299 how they relate to peers. 204 00:05:42.429 --> 00:05:43.309 I see 205 00:05:43.589 --> 00:05:45.790 a lot of students who have very low 206 00:05:45.790 --> 00:05:49.380 self-confidence and self-esteem because they're scrolling through Instagram, 207 00:05:49.750 --> 00:05:53.369 seeing pictures of all these influencers or all these teens posting, 208 00:05:53.910 --> 00:05:54.059 you know, 209 00:05:54.149 --> 00:05:54.709 pictures and, 210 00:05:54.750 --> 00:05:55.089 and, 211 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:55.700 and reels, 212 00:05:55.709 --> 00:05:58.510 and they're getting millions of likes or millions of views. 213 00:05:58.869 --> 00:06:00.730 And they equate that to, 214 00:06:00.890 --> 00:06:01.429 um, 215 00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:02.390 self worth, 216 00:06:02.709 --> 00:06:02.869 you know, 217 00:06:03.010 --> 00:06:05.260 so if they post something and they get 10 likes, 218 00:06:05.510 --> 00:06:06.820 it's really damaging to them, 219 00:06:06.829 --> 00:06:07.769 because then they feel like 220 00:06:07.950 --> 00:06:08.769 they're not good enough, 221 00:06:09.109 --> 00:06:09.549 right? 222 00:06:09.869 --> 00:06:13.029 And I think the other component kind of going off with you said attendance, 223 00:06:13.350 --> 00:06:17.489 because if I don't feel connected with my people or my peers in the classroom, 224 00:06:17.869 --> 00:06:18.970 I'm going to stay home 225 00:06:19.149 --> 00:06:20.660 where I feel connected, 226 00:06:20.790 --> 00:06:20.989 you know, 227 00:06:21.109 --> 00:06:21.730 so to speak, 228 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:22.660 virtually, 229 00:06:22.750 --> 00:06:24.410 even though you don't have that 230 00:06:24.790 --> 00:06:26.109 real personal connection. 231 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:27.570 Yeah. 232 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.649 And going off of what you said too, 233 00:06:29.739 --> 00:06:30.760 that was something I, 234 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:31.660 in a sense, 235 00:06:31.700 --> 00:06:34.119 like our soft skills and are just 236 00:06:34.380 --> 00:06:35.540 being able to 237 00:06:36.170 --> 00:06:36.640 be 238 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:41.160 with a person and being able to work like even just face to face 239 00:06:41.350 --> 00:06:42.559 or make a phone call 240 00:06:43.059 --> 00:06:45.399 or work out a problem. 241 00:06:45.859 --> 00:06:46.019 Yeah, 242 00:06:46.100 --> 00:06:46.929 I see a lot of that. 243 00:06:47.179 --> 00:06:48.820 I have a lot of students who struggle. 244 00:06:49.114 --> 00:06:52.114 With navigating those tough conversations because they don't have 245 00:06:52.114 --> 00:06:54.404 a screen in front of them to protect them. 246 00:06:54.714 --> 00:06:55.394 And so they, 247 00:06:55.475 --> 00:06:58.644 they feel very intimidated and scared and unsure. 248 00:06:59.035 --> 00:07:01.855 And it's just so interesting because I hear them talk about 249 00:07:02.315 --> 00:07:03.934 how active they are online. 250 00:07:04.114 --> 00:07:04.945 And then when they're in school, 251 00:07:04.994 --> 00:07:07.024 I feel like they're a completely different person, 252 00:07:07.274 --> 00:07:07.625 you know, 253 00:07:07.834 --> 00:07:09.105 nothing wrong with being an introvert, 254 00:07:09.195 --> 00:07:09.434 right? 255 00:07:09.635 --> 00:07:10.595 Or being more quiet, 256 00:07:10.674 --> 00:07:10.975 but 257 00:07:11.470 --> 00:07:13.170 I don't think it's an introvert by 258 00:07:13.869 --> 00:07:14.630 like their, 259 00:07:14.910 --> 00:07:16.510 their character traits or their personnel. 260 00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:18.299 It's like introvert by choice because I, 261 00:07:18.380 --> 00:07:19.410 I don't know how to interact. 262 00:07:19.630 --> 00:07:20.609 They don't know how to interact. 263 00:07:20.670 --> 00:07:20.679 Yeah. 264 00:07:21.700 --> 00:07:22.049 Interesting, 265 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:22.760 interesting. 266 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:27.179 So when we're thinking about some of those challenges that we see 267 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:28.390 for students, 268 00:07:28.559 --> 00:07:29.609 I'm also wondering like, 269 00:07:29.709 --> 00:07:31.880 I know I've seen in my own parenting, 270 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:35.019 those friendships really be deepened by that online 271 00:07:35.160 --> 00:07:35.299 um 272 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:37.630 connection because they can have, 273 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.269 I think, 274 00:07:38.320 --> 00:07:40.119 easier access to each other like, 275 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:40.579 right, 276 00:07:40.760 --> 00:07:42.019 obviously throughout the day. 277 00:07:42.200 --> 00:07:46.279 And I'm wondering if there are some positive components of that connection 278 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:49.179 that we're seeing or if we really just feel that it's all 279 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:53.160 really kind of hindering like some of those soft skills that you're seeing. 280 00:07:53.429 --> 00:07:53.940 Um, 281 00:07:54.029 --> 00:07:56.769 or maybe a lack of development of those soft skills. 282 00:07:57.230 --> 00:07:58.970 I think that it also 283 00:07:59.350 --> 00:08:01.299 can depend a lot on 284 00:08:01.630 --> 00:08:04.570 how you set your child up for 285 00:08:04.790 --> 00:08:07.929 responsible use of social media 286 00:08:08.309 --> 00:08:11.609 and proper use of cell phones. 287 00:08:12.029 --> 00:08:12.309 You know, 288 00:08:12.390 --> 00:08:14.350 if you're exposed. 289 00:08:14.565 --> 00:08:15.285 your child 290 00:08:15.785 --> 00:08:20.105 to a device at a very young age and you're not teaching, 291 00:08:20.385 --> 00:08:20.584 you know, 292 00:08:20.695 --> 00:08:21.785 digital literacy. 293 00:08:21.894 --> 00:08:22.065 I mean, 294 00:08:22.144 --> 00:08:22.265 and, 295 00:08:22.385 --> 00:08:23.945 and that's taught in schools now too, 296 00:08:24.184 --> 00:08:24.804 thank goodness, 297 00:08:25.225 --> 00:08:27.045 but you're not setting boundaries 298 00:08:27.464 --> 00:08:30.565 and you're not talking to your child early on about 299 00:08:30.785 --> 00:08:31.725 safety 300 00:08:32.065 --> 00:08:34.804 and you're not having conversations about. 301 00:08:35.438 --> 00:08:39.457 Relationships and friendships and all of those things and what that, 302 00:08:39.818 --> 00:08:44.559 how you might not understand what the tone is in a text. 303 00:08:45.098 --> 00:08:46.018 So the, 304 00:08:46.158 --> 00:08:46.718 the 305 00:08:46.888 --> 00:08:49.578 teenager or adolescent needs to understand 306 00:08:49.578 --> 00:08:52.958 those things when they're having those conversations 307 00:08:53.258 --> 00:08:54.999 with their friend or peer 308 00:08:55.218 --> 00:08:58.539 in order to have those healthy conversations continue because if 309 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.919 they don't know those things as they're growing older. 310 00:09:02.690 --> 00:09:04.489 It can turn toxic. 311 00:09:04.729 --> 00:09:05.630 So I think 312 00:09:05.849 --> 00:09:09.989 if they're set up with the proper tools early on and throughout, 313 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:10.409 you know, 314 00:09:10.489 --> 00:09:11.630 primary and 315 00:09:11.929 --> 00:09:12.710 intermediate 316 00:09:13.489 --> 00:09:14.280 levels, 317 00:09:14.369 --> 00:09:14.809 you know, 318 00:09:14.929 --> 00:09:17.510 I think that it can 319 00:09:17.669 --> 00:09:18.890 be problematic. 320 00:09:19.330 --> 00:09:22.150 So those pieces are really important. 321 00:09:22.929 --> 00:09:24.830 I love that idea and maybe Trevor, 322 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:27.669 you can expand on that because it feels so much to me like 323 00:09:28.049 --> 00:09:30.989 skills that we're likely trying to instill in our 324 00:09:31.330 --> 00:09:32.609 children and students anyway, 325 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:32.849 right? 326 00:09:32.890 --> 00:09:35.929 Like how to have those healthy conversations and relationships. 327 00:09:36.479 --> 00:09:36.770 Trevor, 328 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:38.309 can you speak to if they're 329 00:09:38.729 --> 00:09:39.469 in your work, 330 00:09:39.530 --> 00:09:40.630 do you see 331 00:09:40.929 --> 00:09:43.710 some of that coaching coming through of how we 332 00:09:44.010 --> 00:09:45.239 manage those relationships, 333 00:09:45.250 --> 00:09:45.950 not just 334 00:09:46.489 --> 00:09:46.840 in, 335 00:09:46.969 --> 00:09:47.210 you know, 336 00:09:47.450 --> 00:09:48.130 real life, 337 00:09:48.289 --> 00:09:50.289 but also in that online space. 338 00:09:50.849 --> 00:09:51.010 Uh, 339 00:09:51.090 --> 00:09:51.330 I mean, 340 00:09:51.530 --> 00:09:52.239 I have a lot to say. 341 00:09:52.330 --> 00:09:52.729 So, 342 00:09:52.849 --> 00:09:53.210 uh, 343 00:09:53.650 --> 00:09:54.510 social media can 344 00:09:54.890 --> 00:09:56.049 absolutely be positive, 345 00:09:56.119 --> 00:09:58.679 but unfortunately we're kind of working against the system here. 346 00:09:58.969 --> 00:10:01.080 A lot of social media platforms pay millions 347 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.669 and millions of dollars for psychologists and behavior, 348 00:10:03.729 --> 00:10:04.049 um, 349 00:10:04.130 --> 00:10:04.789 experts 350 00:10:05.049 --> 00:10:06.210 to get people addicted, 351 00:10:06.330 --> 00:10:06.530 you know, 352 00:10:06.690 --> 00:10:07.169 the word the. 353 00:10:07.299 --> 00:10:07.780 Algorithm, 354 00:10:07.929 --> 00:10:08.280 right? 355 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:09.020 You know, 356 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:11.979 you watch something on TikTok for 3 seconds and it learns you 357 00:10:11.979 --> 00:10:15.460 and you just get fed that content over and over again. 358 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:18.059 Even if you don't like it or interact with it, 359 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.700 that 3 seconds of time, 360 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:20.940 the algorithm picks it up. 361 00:10:21.020 --> 00:10:21.440 So, 362 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:22.909 it's a hard system to fight. 363 00:10:23.020 --> 00:10:23.679 So I think. 364 00:10:24.599 --> 00:10:26.049 So when you are on social media, 365 00:10:26.130 --> 00:10:29.440 really making sure that you're aware of the content you are engaging with, 366 00:10:29.650 --> 00:10:30.580 because whatever you, 367 00:10:31.239 --> 00:10:32.359 whatever you consume, 368 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:33.309 whatever you look at, 369 00:10:33.489 --> 00:10:34.799 will continue to be fed to you. 370 00:10:34.890 --> 00:10:35.789 So if you are looking at 371 00:10:36.210 --> 00:10:36.599 hurtful, 372 00:10:36.650 --> 00:10:38.450 harmful content or negative content, 373 00:10:38.530 --> 00:10:39.559 that's all you're going to see, 374 00:10:39.570 --> 00:10:40.799 and it becomes your world. 375 00:10:40.969 --> 00:10:42.049 And it can be positive. 376 00:10:42.090 --> 00:10:42.409 I mean, 377 00:10:42.489 --> 00:10:43.450 a personal story. 378 00:10:43.549 --> 00:10:44.650 So I'm a huge gamer. 379 00:10:44.770 --> 00:10:46.349 I've been playing video games since I was 5, 380 00:10:46.770 --> 00:10:47.320 and, 381 00:10:47.330 --> 00:10:47.820 um, 382 00:10:48.130 --> 00:10:51.789 online video games kind of came out when I was about 13 years old. 383 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.229 And I begged my mom 384 00:10:53.570 --> 00:10:55.090 to give me Xbox Live, 385 00:10:55.130 --> 00:10:56.520 and she got it, 386 00:10:56.770 --> 00:11:00.669 and I played games online and met some cool people and obviously online 387 00:11:01.289 --> 00:11:04.010 games and just online connections were very new back then, 388 00:11:05.090 --> 00:11:07.710 but I made some incredible friendships and in fact, 389 00:11:07.729 --> 00:11:10.250 I regularly see my three online friends. 390 00:11:10.289 --> 00:11:10.500 I mean, 391 00:11:10.530 --> 00:11:14.669 I was even in um a wedding of a best friend that I met online and 392 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:15.880 I've known her for half my life, 393 00:11:15.890 --> 00:11:19.099 and she's in Georgia and I'm up here and so we try to make it a point to meet each other. 394 00:11:19.169 --> 00:11:19.770 So I think. 395 00:11:20.260 --> 00:11:21.770 There definitely can be positives, 396 00:11:22.020 --> 00:11:23.320 but that was a much different time. 397 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.700 In terms of coaching. 398 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:24.979 I mean, 399 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.840 I do work with students one on one. 400 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:30.150 it's hard because I can't, 401 00:11:30.619 --> 00:11:32.320 I'm not the one living at home with them 402 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:35.880 and setting those boundaries or modeling appropriate behavior or 403 00:11:36.140 --> 00:11:37.039 setting parental, 404 00:11:37.409 --> 00:11:37.609 uh, 405 00:11:37.619 --> 00:11:38.940 locks or restrictions. 406 00:11:38.979 --> 00:11:40.119 And even if you do, 407 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:42.169 our teens are more tech savvy than us, 408 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:43.140 and I'm pretty tech savvy, 409 00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:45.619 but I've learned a lot and they find ways around it. 410 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:46.299 Right? 411 00:11:46.400 --> 00:11:47.729 So I think for the coaching piece, 412 00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.320 we can do, 413 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.599 we can only do so much in the school, 414 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:52.229 but I think it does come to the adults at home and, 415 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:55.000 and having those real conversations and talking about, 416 00:11:55.349 --> 00:11:55.520 you know, 417 00:11:55.640 --> 00:11:56.640 what is important, 418 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.369 um, 419 00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:59.710 what kinds of things you should be interacting with, 420 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:02.200 and just setting like good social media hygiene, 421 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.440 if to use that word, 422 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:03.929 I guess, 423 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:04.229 of, 424 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:04.909 you know, 425 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.630 setting time limits of, 426 00:12:06.760 --> 00:12:06.960 you know, 427 00:12:07.119 --> 00:12:08.039 1 or 2 hours. 428 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.719 So actually talking with a student today, 429 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.960 funnily enough about social media use. 430 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:15.000 And I'd asked them to look at their screen time. 431 00:12:15.489 --> 00:12:16.210 And they're like, 432 00:12:16.289 --> 00:12:17.320 but we can't have phones in schools. 433 00:12:17.330 --> 00:12:17.409 Like, 434 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:19.000 I know your phone is in your Chromebook pouch. 435 00:12:19.049 --> 00:12:20.630 So they pulled out 14 hours 436 00:12:21.090 --> 00:12:22.440 on TikTok last week. 437 00:12:22.809 --> 00:12:24.190 I'm like that that's a lot. 438 00:12:24.849 --> 00:12:25.010 You know, 439 00:12:25.130 --> 00:12:27.130 that's almost 2 whole working days. 440 00:12:27.369 --> 00:12:29.130 And so we had a good heart to heart about, 441 00:12:29.169 --> 00:12:32.630 I'm not saying you can't look at TikTok or Instagram or whatever. 442 00:12:32.929 --> 00:12:36.250 It's just being mindful because you tell me you don't have time to do your homework. 443 00:12:37.210 --> 00:12:39.210 But you have time to watch TikTok for 14 hours. 444 00:12:39.289 --> 00:12:40.390 It's just interesting. 445 00:12:40.489 --> 00:12:40.869 So, 446 00:12:41.450 --> 00:12:43.390 it can be positive if you seek it out. 447 00:12:43.969 --> 00:12:46.390 And um making sure that you are 448 00:12:46.849 --> 00:12:47.549 not as 449 00:12:47.849 --> 00:12:48.729 hard as it is, 450 00:12:48.809 --> 00:12:51.349 not giving into that negative 451 00:12:51.530 --> 00:12:51.869 or, 452 00:12:52.369 --> 00:12:52.520 you know, 453 00:12:52.599 --> 00:12:53.479 clickbait, 454 00:12:53.669 --> 00:12:54.400 if you will, 455 00:12:54.929 --> 00:12:55.390 content 456 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:56.950 versus fake. 457 00:12:57.849 --> 00:12:58.039 Oh, 458 00:12:58.130 --> 00:12:59.830 with the advent of AI. 459 00:13:00.369 --> 00:13:00.609 Yeah, 460 00:13:00.690 --> 00:13:01.530 it's so hard. 461 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:02.489 It's so hard. 462 00:13:03.950 --> 00:13:06.229 I'm wondering for the parents, 463 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:06.630 you know, 464 00:13:06.830 --> 00:13:08.450 adults that have 465 00:13:09.109 --> 00:13:12.500 kiddos in their lives that want to have these conversations, 466 00:13:12.590 --> 00:13:16.000 are there some other really good kind of places they could start? 467 00:13:16.070 --> 00:13:17.429 I love the idea of, 468 00:13:17.549 --> 00:13:17.710 you know, 469 00:13:17.869 --> 00:13:18.030 hey, 470 00:13:18.150 --> 00:13:19.969 let's take a peek at what your 471 00:13:20.309 --> 00:13:21.429 screen time was last, 472 00:13:21.469 --> 00:13:23.349 or let's look at both of ours together, 473 00:13:23.429 --> 00:13:23.590 right? 474 00:13:23.669 --> 00:13:24.080 Like 475 00:13:24.309 --> 00:13:26.250 maybe in a way that feels less. 476 00:13:26.729 --> 00:13:26.840 Uh, 477 00:13:26.849 --> 00:13:28.890 judgmental or attacky. 478 00:13:29.090 --> 00:13:30.469 Are there some other good 479 00:13:30.849 --> 00:13:34.640 kind of prompts or suggestions of ways we could start those conversations at home? 480 00:13:35.250 --> 00:13:35.690 Yeah, 481 00:13:35.809 --> 00:13:36.119 um, 482 00:13:36.210 --> 00:13:38.299 I think the biggest thing is not leading with fear. 483 00:13:38.390 --> 00:13:38.760 So not, 484 00:13:38.849 --> 00:13:40.450 don't fear monger and talk about oh, 485 00:13:40.530 --> 00:13:41.609 there's all these dangerous people. 486 00:13:41.690 --> 00:13:41.809 I mean, 487 00:13:41.880 --> 00:13:43.809 there's dangerous people everywhere regardless if that's 488 00:13:43.809 --> 00:13:45.130 in the online or offline world, 489 00:13:45.210 --> 00:13:45.659 right? 490 00:13:46.169 --> 00:13:46.869 And so I think 491 00:13:46.969 --> 00:13:47.719 a few things. 492 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.159 One, 493 00:13:48.210 --> 00:13:50.090 I think the biggest thing is modeling what you want. 494 00:13:50.289 --> 00:13:50.409 You know, 495 00:13:50.489 --> 00:13:53.229 if you're sitting on your phone as the parent or adult at home, 496 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:54.140 Um, 497 00:13:54.229 --> 00:13:55.169 during dinner, 498 00:13:55.429 --> 00:13:56.489 or if you're out to eat, 499 00:13:56.789 --> 00:13:58.429 or if you're watching a movie together, 500 00:13:58.750 --> 00:14:00.669 that's only showing our children like, 501 00:14:00.760 --> 00:14:00.909 hey, 502 00:14:00.989 --> 00:14:01.510 this is OK, 503 00:14:01.590 --> 00:14:03.010 this is acceptable. 504 00:14:03.469 --> 00:14:06.500 I'm going to scroll through whatever social media I want to scroll through, 505 00:14:06.590 --> 00:14:06.950 right? 506 00:14:07.270 --> 00:14:08.510 So I think the biggest one is modeling, 507 00:14:08.750 --> 00:14:10.409 modeling that behavior that you want. 508 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.179 Um, 509 00:14:11.309 --> 00:14:11.789 second, 510 00:14:12.030 --> 00:14:13.859 I think having like a weekly check-in, 511 00:14:13.950 --> 00:14:14.869 whatever day that is, 512 00:14:14.950 --> 00:14:15.349 like Sunday, 513 00:14:15.429 --> 00:14:15.580 like, 514 00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:15.750 hey, 515 00:14:15.830 --> 00:14:16.109 let's, 516 00:14:16.270 --> 00:14:18.929 let's look at your screen time and let's talk about what's going on and. 517 00:14:19.280 --> 00:14:19.700 And, 518 00:14:19.929 --> 00:14:22.159 and being flexible with them and compromising, 519 00:14:22.169 --> 00:14:22.440 and, 520 00:14:22.450 --> 00:14:22.609 you know, 521 00:14:22.729 --> 00:14:24.039 because if you take it all away, 522 00:14:24.130 --> 00:14:26.469 it's only going to stonewall them further into, 523 00:14:26.849 --> 00:14:27.010 you know, 524 00:14:27.090 --> 00:14:28.710 resentment and frustration. 525 00:14:29.090 --> 00:14:29.739 And unfortunately, 526 00:14:29.809 --> 00:14:30.859 even social stigma, 527 00:14:30.909 --> 00:14:31.270 if 528 00:14:31.489 --> 00:14:34.200 they're not up to date with the latest trend and everyone at school knows it, 529 00:14:34.210 --> 00:14:35.010 and they don't, 530 00:14:35.130 --> 00:14:36.549 that can lead to social isolation, 531 00:14:36.849 --> 00:14:37.169 right? 532 00:14:37.369 --> 00:14:38.869 Because they don't know the newest trend. 533 00:14:39.369 --> 00:14:39.789 Um. 534 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.840 And then last, 535 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.469 I think is, 536 00:14:41.479 --> 00:14:43.880 is being curious as an adult at home, 537 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:44.190 like, 538 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:44.520 hey, 539 00:14:44.570 --> 00:14:45.479 I see you're using this app, 540 00:14:45.520 --> 00:14:48.239 like Discord is a big app that kids use to communicate. 541 00:14:48.479 --> 00:14:48.950 As a parent, 542 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.479 like ask them, 543 00:14:49.489 --> 00:14:49.799 what do you, 544 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.679 what is Discord? 545 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.559 What's that about? 546 00:14:51.630 --> 00:14:52.119 What are you learning? 547 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.340 Or, 548 00:14:52.359 --> 00:14:52.549 oh, 549 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:54.320 I see that you were playing Roblox. 550 00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:54.559 What, 551 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:56.099 what game were you or what was the game 552 00:14:56.099 --> 00:14:59.020 because Roblox is a large game and there's games within 553 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:00.000 said game, 554 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.400 right? 555 00:15:00.719 --> 00:15:02.419 So I think leading with curiosity 556 00:15:02.640 --> 00:15:04.020 and trying to gain more information. 557 00:15:04.619 --> 00:15:05.059 Um, 558 00:15:05.380 --> 00:15:08.169 because that shows that you care and it shows that you're interested, 559 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:11.080 rather than like this kind of authoritarian of, 560 00:15:11.140 --> 00:15:11.299 nope, 561 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.179 you need to get off of it. 562 00:15:12.210 --> 00:15:12.659 It's dangerous. 563 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.429 It's scary, 564 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.960 because it doesn't have to be. 565 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.440 It doesn't have to be. 566 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:17.880 So I think those are some 567 00:15:18.020 --> 00:15:19.380 things that the adults at home, 568 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:22.840 if they're concerned about their child's social media use or 569 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:24.090 the polarization of it, 570 00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:27.200 I think would be helpful on navigating those conversations. 571 00:15:27.900 --> 00:15:28.700 And I think it's, 572 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.780 it's really hard. 573 00:15:29.830 --> 00:15:33.099 Like I am a parent of two young children. 574 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.219 They're not at that. 575 00:15:35.250 --> 00:15:37.429 Age yet where we're even thinking about that. 576 00:15:37.549 --> 00:15:38.390 But you know, 577 00:15:38.479 --> 00:15:39.989 I've worked with families, 578 00:15:40.190 --> 00:15:40.390 you know, 579 00:15:40.510 --> 00:15:40.929 where 580 00:15:41.429 --> 00:15:44.250 we've had that discussion of needing to 581 00:15:44.510 --> 00:15:45.890 balance out 582 00:15:46.150 --> 00:15:48.250 trusting your child enough that 583 00:15:48.630 --> 00:15:50.330 you don't need to 584 00:15:50.669 --> 00:15:53.289 break into their messages and read 585 00:15:53.619 --> 00:15:53.890 everything. 586 00:15:54.570 --> 00:15:59.520 But still finding that balance where you might need to ask some questions and like. 587 00:16:00.450 --> 00:16:02.250 Be really honest with each other. 588 00:16:02.369 --> 00:16:02.669 I mean, 589 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:04.820 that all starts with honesty 590 00:16:05.169 --> 00:16:07.739 early on in that parent-child relationship. 591 00:16:07.849 --> 00:16:10.429 So if you can establish that early on 592 00:16:10.690 --> 00:16:11.130 and just say, 593 00:16:11.210 --> 00:16:11.409 hey, 594 00:16:11.489 --> 00:16:14.609 I'm not here to like read your diary or read, 595 00:16:14.729 --> 00:16:15.369 you know what I mean? 596 00:16:15.690 --> 00:16:18.349 Read all of those personal messages because 597 00:16:19.270 --> 00:16:22.630 They need a personal life and that's really important. 598 00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:24.340 And you don't want to have to 599 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.619 break that, 600 00:16:25.880 --> 00:16:26.659 but still 601 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:29.000 kind of have a little balance and, 602 00:16:29.190 --> 00:16:29.880 and say, 603 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.280 hey, 604 00:16:30.479 --> 00:16:30.960 I'm not, 605 00:16:31.119 --> 00:16:32.320 I'm not going to read everything, 606 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:32.739 but 607 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.580 I, 608 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:36.280 I do need to sort of keep an eye on things. 609 00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.299 Make sure you're safe, 610 00:16:37.739 --> 00:16:37.880 right, 611 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.450 that you're, 612 00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:39.080 yes. 613 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.909 So it's finding that balance. 614 00:16:41.119 --> 00:16:41.320 Yeah. 615 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.960 I couldn't agree more with the honesty piece. 616 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.349 Yeah. 617 00:16:44.289 --> 00:16:44.739 I like those. 618 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.450 Those are really, 619 00:16:45.619 --> 00:16:46.299 really good, 620 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:48.059 really good suggestions. 621 00:16:49.250 --> 00:16:52.330 I think I want to close out with thinking about hopeful things 622 00:16:52.330 --> 00:16:55.950 either for families who are talking or wanting to start that conversation 623 00:16:56.250 --> 00:16:58.590 or students that we see managing social media, 624 00:16:59.289 --> 00:17:00.799 online lives really well. 625 00:17:01.190 --> 00:17:02.979 Where do we think that might be going? 626 00:17:03.289 --> 00:17:03.530 Well, 627 00:17:03.609 --> 00:17:05.310 the good thing is, 628 00:17:05.930 --> 00:17:06.848 first of all, 629 00:17:07.250 --> 00:17:07.780 there's a, 630 00:17:08.010 --> 00:17:08.589 you know, 631 00:17:08.930 --> 00:17:11.650 the research in psychology is booming. 632 00:17:11.729 --> 00:17:14.630 This is a huge hot topic in research. 633 00:17:15.209 --> 00:17:15.569 I mean, 634 00:17:15.770 --> 00:17:17.680 books are being written about it, 635 00:17:18.089 --> 00:17:19.050 studies are, 636 00:17:19.280 --> 00:17:20.630 are happening, 637 00:17:20.689 --> 00:17:21.170 um. 638 00:17:21.989 --> 00:17:24.260 And we're starting this 639 00:17:24.489 --> 00:17:28.140 digital literacy and social media literacy and we're having 640 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.140 classes around 641 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:34.660 or lessons around these types of things in elementary school 642 00:17:34.959 --> 00:17:35.790 and and, 643 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:35.959 you know, 644 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.630 middle school, 645 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.760 I think too. 646 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:43.449 Just to start preparing our students for what this is like, 647 00:17:43.750 --> 00:17:46.170 even around sextortion 648 00:17:46.390 --> 00:17:46.780 and, 649 00:17:46.790 --> 00:17:49.369 and how dangerous that is and 650 00:17:49.630 --> 00:17:51.469 what the consequences of all of this is. 651 00:17:51.510 --> 00:17:54.130 We're trying to teach kids about the brain, 652 00:17:54.750 --> 00:17:55.329 about 653 00:17:55.869 --> 00:17:59.050 social media addiction and all of those things to start 654 00:17:59.270 --> 00:18:03.069 helping them understand how to use these things appropriately. 655 00:18:03.150 --> 00:18:08.109 So I think we're getting better at teaching our students how to be. 656 00:18:08.670 --> 00:18:09.300 Um, 657 00:18:09.550 --> 00:18:10.770 armed with, 658 00:18:10.869 --> 00:18:11.069 and, 659 00:18:11.150 --> 00:18:11.349 you know, 660 00:18:11.430 --> 00:18:12.380 and prepared to, 661 00:18:12.550 --> 00:18:15.079 to tackle these things in a healthy way. 662 00:18:15.349 --> 00:18:15.540 I think, 663 00:18:15.630 --> 00:18:16.829 I think it's hard because 664 00:18:17.069 --> 00:18:17.829 social media, 665 00:18:17.949 --> 00:18:18.140 I mean, 666 00:18:18.189 --> 00:18:18.579 it just, 667 00:18:18.670 --> 00:18:19.459 it blew up. 668 00:18:19.510 --> 00:18:19.709 I mean, 669 00:18:19.829 --> 00:18:20.619 I remember MySpace. 670 00:18:20.630 --> 00:18:21.609 I don't know if you, 671 00:18:23.369 --> 00:18:24.099 way back when, 672 00:18:24.189 --> 00:18:25.670 and then Facebook and then Instagram. 673 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:27.150 And then X, 674 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.900 the platform formerly known as Twitter. 675 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.680 Um, 676 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.119 I, 677 00:18:30.199 --> 00:18:32.619 I think it's happened so fast, 678 00:18:32.630 --> 00:18:34.219 and we just couldn't like in terms of we, 679 00:18:34.239 --> 00:18:36.959 I don't mean necessarily us as counselors or educators, 680 00:18:37.040 --> 00:18:37.339 but 681 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:41.199 the world just could not keep up with how fast everything was moving. 682 00:18:41.239 --> 00:18:42.880 And so I think we're finally like, 683 00:18:43.209 --> 00:18:43.890 We're a little behind, 684 00:18:43.969 --> 00:18:45.290 but I think like you said, 685 00:18:45.369 --> 00:18:46.239 we're we're getting there. 686 00:18:46.250 --> 00:18:47.069 We have research. 687 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.949 There's a ton of 688 00:18:48.250 --> 00:18:50.239 data out there just talking about social media use. 689 00:18:50.290 --> 00:18:50.530 And again, 690 00:18:50.609 --> 00:18:51.890 not saying that social media is 691 00:18:52.130 --> 00:18:53.000 this evil, 692 00:18:53.089 --> 00:18:53.810 awful thing. 693 00:18:53.969 --> 00:18:54.130 It, 694 00:18:54.189 --> 00:18:55.770 it can be used for good. 695 00:18:55.810 --> 00:18:56.989 It's just a matter of 696 00:18:57.530 --> 00:18:59.199 curating your algorithm and, 697 00:18:59.250 --> 00:19:00.449 and being aware. 698 00:19:00.569 --> 00:19:00.829 Um, 699 00:19:00.849 --> 00:19:02.270 I think the adults at home 700 00:19:03.050 --> 00:19:04.689 having that open honesty. 701 00:19:05.050 --> 00:19:05.369 So I'm, 702 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:06.550 I'm hopeful that 703 00:19:06.930 --> 00:19:08.109 more apps 704 00:19:08.329 --> 00:19:09.469 will have more. 705 00:19:09.989 --> 00:19:12.099 Like guidelines or not necessarily restrictions, 706 00:19:12.109 --> 00:19:12.459 but like, 707 00:19:12.469 --> 00:19:12.619 you know, 708 00:19:12.790 --> 00:19:14.150 government setting certain things, 709 00:19:14.189 --> 00:19:15.900 regulations that you're looking for. 710 00:19:15.989 --> 00:19:16.290 Yeah, 711 00:19:16.709 --> 00:19:17.989 but that can be a slippery slope. 712 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.349 Um, 713 00:19:18.430 --> 00:19:18.550 you know, 714 00:19:18.630 --> 00:19:22.869 I know Europe has a lot of like age gating things and now IDs 715 00:19:22.869 --> 00:19:25.910 are being used and then ID that could be a potential risk if you're, 716 00:19:25.989 --> 00:19:26.109 you know, 717 00:19:26.219 --> 00:19:27.770 taking a picture of your ID or 718 00:19:27.949 --> 00:19:28.300 as a kid, 719 00:19:28.310 --> 00:19:31.150 you can circumvent that taking a picture of mom's ID. 720 00:19:31.349 --> 00:19:31.510 But, 721 00:19:31.569 --> 00:19:33.489 but there are apps out there 722 00:19:33.910 --> 00:19:34.369 that 723 00:19:34.589 --> 00:19:35.390 aren't as, 724 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:35.989 to use your word, 725 00:19:36.020 --> 00:19:36.979 like toxic like. 726 00:19:37.170 --> 00:19:37.369 You know, 727 00:19:37.410 --> 00:19:38.969 if parents are looking for recommendations, 728 00:19:39.040 --> 00:19:40.510 there's one called Be Real. 729 00:19:40.930 --> 00:19:41.239 Um, 730 00:19:41.329 --> 00:19:42.729 it's akin to Instagram, 731 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.449 but you don't, 732 00:19:43.569 --> 00:19:45.209 you don't get to decide when you post. 733 00:19:45.290 --> 00:19:47.319 You'll get a notification from the app saying, 734 00:19:47.410 --> 00:19:47.729 hey, 735 00:19:48.010 --> 00:19:49.689 take a picture of where you're at right now. 736 00:19:49.729 --> 00:19:50.930 You have 5 minutes to post it. 737 00:19:51.010 --> 00:19:52.510 So more of that authenticity, 738 00:19:52.689 --> 00:19:53.439 because on Instagram, 739 00:19:53.449 --> 00:19:54.199 you can filter it, 740 00:19:54.250 --> 00:19:55.040 you can set things up, 741 00:19:55.089 --> 00:19:56.770 you can take 75 different takes, 742 00:19:56.890 --> 00:19:57.329 right? 743 00:19:57.650 --> 00:19:58.579 But be real is like, 744 00:19:58.609 --> 00:19:58.729 no, 745 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.650 take a picture right here, 746 00:19:59.689 --> 00:20:00.469 right now, 747 00:20:00.689 --> 00:20:02.069 and share what's going on. 748 00:20:02.209 --> 00:20:03.140 And then the last thing. 749 00:20:03.520 --> 00:20:04.280 I think it's just, 750 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:04.709 you know, 751 00:20:05.280 --> 00:20:06.699 the current generation just 752 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:08.109 being aware of this, 753 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:09.359 and as they age, 754 00:20:09.439 --> 00:20:09.599 you know, 755 00:20:09.719 --> 00:20:10.459 grow up and 756 00:20:10.910 --> 00:20:13.939 start to get into the real world of recognizing 757 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:15.140 how when they were teens, 758 00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.280 if it harmed them, 759 00:20:16.739 --> 00:20:18.319 start thinking about how can we make this better. 760 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.310 I'm not saying get rid of it. 761 00:20:19.349 --> 00:20:19.560 I don't, 762 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.000 I don't think that's the answer. 763 00:20:21.410 --> 00:20:23.530 I think the answer is education, 764 00:20:24.010 --> 00:20:24.770 awareness, 765 00:20:25.130 --> 00:20:25.839 and 766 00:20:26.010 --> 00:20:26.390 just 767 00:20:26.530 --> 00:20:29.250 working together as a team that be at that school, 768 00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:31.709 families and kids altogether because 769 00:20:32.089 --> 00:20:33.130 it it can be great. 770 00:20:33.369 --> 00:20:34.890 We just need to make sure that they're given 771 00:20:34.890 --> 00:20:37.329 the right tools and information to make it great. 772 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.359 Yeah. 773 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:42.459 Thank you both so much for your insights and for 774 00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:45.339 joining us and just being willing to have this conversation. 775 00:20:45.540 --> 00:20:47.420 We sure hope that everyone will keep listening 776 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:49.579 as we explore topics like social media, 777 00:20:49.770 --> 00:20:50.420 screen time, 778 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.359 digital wellness, 779 00:20:51.459 --> 00:20:52.119 and 780 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:56.680 continue the conversation about how we help kids build healthy online habits. 781 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:59.500 This has been Navigating the Digital Playground, 782 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:02.560 a podcast from the Stevens Point Area Public School District. 783 00:21:02.699 --> 00:21:05.619 Our mission is to prepare each student to be successful, 784 00:21:05.739 --> 00:21:07.439 both in and beyond the classroom. 785 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:09.890 To explore full episode transcripts, 786 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.969 family resources, 787 00:21:11.020 --> 00:21:12.209 and upcoming events, 788 00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:15.810 visit Poschools.net/digitalplayground. 789 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.959 Thanks for listening 790 00:21:17.060 --> 00:21:19.979 and for partnering with us to help every student learn, 791 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.660 connect, 792 00:21:20.699 --> 00:21:23.050 and thrive safely and responsibly. 793 00:21:23.260 --> 00:21:27.089 This podcast is meant to share ideas and resources to support families. 794 00:21:27.229 --> 00:21:29.750 It is not a substitute for professional advice. 795 00:21:29.930 --> 00:21:33.369 If you have concerns about your child's well-being or digital habits, 796 00:21:33.619 --> 00:21:36.760 please connect with your school counselor or a trusted professional.