Posts by Ryan
“I was groomed by someone I met playing video games online: What I want parents and kids to know”
Harrison Haynes, now 20, was groomed at 12 by an online stranger through a gaming platform. His story is a stark reminder that today’s threats often come from our kids’ devices.
Read More“Meta Takes Down 63,000 Instagram ‘Sextortion’ Accounts In Nigeria”
As parents, educators, and professionals working directly with youth, it is our responsibility to be on the front lines in protecting the safety, privacy, and innocence of our children.
Read More“Back-to-School Parenting”
It’s crucial to help our children shape their lives based on their own experiences, with a bit of guidance from us, of course. Take a moment to read this article on how to send kids back to school without letting our own fears, worries, anxieties, or memories color their first day and the weeks leading up to it.
Read MoreSocial Media and Self-Diagnosis
When we hear teens casually say things like “I’m so OCD sometimes” or “my ADHD is really getting to me today,” it’s crucial to engage them in a conversation.
Read MoreThoughts on Technology From a Recent College Graduate
Dani is a recent college graduate and attended one of my full-day trainings. I wanted to get her thoughts on youth and technology. She is an amazing writer and I asked her to use whatever medium she wanted to convey her thoughts after sitting through the training. She did not disappoint! Read her thoughts on youth, technology and adult responsibilities in this digital world.
Read MoreTechnology and Family Values
Yes, there are many apps, technologies, and troublesome things lurking in the cyberworld, but if we create a set of Family Rules (values) and instill these in our kids as they grow, then any troublesome behavior or technology that we encounter can be discussed with the foundation of our family values.
Read MoreKari Leventopoulos: Youth Digital Steward
After learning about Shape the Sky’s mission, Kari was eager to join our community. She believed that one of the first steps to achieve our mission was for youth to pledge to use technology responsibly.
Read MoreSocial Media’s Always-On Nature Exacerbates Teens’ Existing Body Image Concerns.
As parents, we know our teenagers’ self-esteem is influenced by their peers and environment. Today, social media amplifies this by creating a vast, interactive space where teens constantly seek validation through likes and comments, impacting their body image and mental health.
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