Would you hand your kid a chainsaw without giving them safety instructions and supervision? Then why are we giving them media and technology without properly preparing them? This may be an extreme comparison, but a relevant one.

Two weeks ago, the PTO's Social/Emotional Wellness Committee hosted guest speaker Alison Feigh from the Zero Abuse Project. With real life experience and examples, Alison lead a discussion with parents on the concerns of kids having free reign with technology and social media. But this wasn't only a fear driven discussion. Parents were given practical tools to discuss safety with their kids.

What if... Tell me more... Who is in your safety net?

Parents left with plenty of resources and tools to guide their kids though the tricky and ever-changing technology landscape. We really enjoyed hosting Alison and the Zero Abuse Project and can't wait to have her back again! Please see the links below for several resources that were provided during our discussion as well as the SLP School District's site with iPad resources.

Zero Abuse Project https://www.zeroabuseproject.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ZeroAbuseProj/

Thorn for Parents https://parents.thorn.org/ - - creating a safety net for your kids!

Wait Until 8th https://www.waituntil8th.org/

Connect Safely https://connectsafely.org/family-tech-topic/

PC Magazine for Parental Control Reviews https://www.pcmag.com/categories/parental-control

Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

"How can I set controls and restrictions on my student's iPad?" https://www.springlakeparkschools.org/student-life/technology-support/ipad-resource-hub#controls

BOOKS "Unselfie - Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World" https://www.konstella.com/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FUnSelfie-Empathetic-Succeed-All-About-Me-World%2Fdp%2F1501110071

"The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander" https://www.konstella.com/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBully-Bullied-Bystander-Preschool-HighSchool-How%2Fdp%2F0061744603

"Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent & Respect" https://www.konstella.com/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLets-About-Boundaries-Consent-Respect%2Fdp%2F1925089185