The recent events involving our students and inappropriate content within social media at Madison have us all confused and even afraid, wanting to do something to help our students navigate the storms of middle school and social media. The PTSA has heard from many parents expressing their concern and ideas. We are excited to work with school administration and staff to provide support in this troubling time. PTSA leadership has been working with our administration to determine the best support we can provide.
As a follow up to the Finding Kind program for our students in December, the PTSA partnered with AP Jason Sciarrone to line up an expert panel of representatives from Seattle Children’s, Seattle Public Schools, OSPI (Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) and UW to help our families navigate these difficult years. We had a great turnout for this panel on January 20th, during our General PTSA Meeting in the School Library! Thank you all the parents and guardians who, despite their busy schedule, decided to take time to tool themselves with the advice and input from our experts.
Please click on the 3 links below to access an online version of the handouts that were distributed during the meeting:
- Common Sense Education – Family toolbox
- Common Sense Education – Digital Glossary for Parents
- Common Sense on Digital Life – Family Tip Sheet
We also would like to provide a variety of online resources which could be used to inform our families about this pressing topic. We hope that you find these useful.
Don’t be afraid to tackle this topic at home. Your engagement with your children is critical now more than ever. Talk about it. Learn and research and talk more. Keep the conversations going and we will make a difference.
If you have additional information or ideas, please contact PTSA VP-Programs Vikas Luthra or PTSA President Carla Rogers.
We are here to support you and all of our students!
- Cyber Laws and Safety – lots of links and great content here!
- Seattle Police Department – NetSmarts411
- Replace the ‘Sex Talk’ with ‘Tech Talk’
- What Parents Should Know about Snapchat
- Talking to Kids about Sexting
- Get Kids Internet Safe Blog
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Talking to your Teen about Social Media
- Book Recommendations: Masterminds & Wingmen (boys) and Queen Bees & Wannabees (girls)
In the News
- Common Sense Digital Glossary
- 13 rules for staying safe on the Internet
- Cyber Laws & Safety to Aid Student Understanding
- Online gaming and online grooming
- Concerns over KIK grow after possible link to teen victim
- Minecraft Incident
- Snapchat: the yellow ghost for most adults
- Bothell Jr High School Students Accused of Sexting
- Colorado High School Sexting Scandal
- Chances Are Your Teen Has Sexted
- Debate Over Penalties for Sexting
- NY Teens Suspended Over Sexting
The Legal Side of Social Media Use