The ProTech Playbook - April Edition

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech

🚫 Deepfake Nudes + Teenagers | Teenage girls across the US are confronting an “epidemic of deepfake nudes” (NY Times). You need to have this conversation with your family and community.

✍️ TikTok Ban Signed | After years of political back and forth, President Biden signed a law last week that would ban the Chinese-owned TikTok from the US unless it is sold within a year. TikTok has vowed to challenge the law in court (NPR). If you need help navigating TikTok, start here.

😥 An Anxious Generation | NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has sounded the alarm around the dangers of phone-based childhood in his new book, “The Anxious Generation.” He’s outlined these four “new norms” for a healthier childhood.

📳 Teens + iPhones | 85% of US teens own an iPhone, according to Piper Sandler’s Spring 2024 “Taking Stock With Teens” survey (Piper Sandler). If your child has an iPhone, please ensure you have basic parental controls enabled on their device.

TEENS FOR CHANGE
27 Minutes that Shaped a Community…

On October 17, 2021, the Markus family lost their 15-year-old son, Braden. A predator posing as a teenage girl from Braden’s community asked Braden for lewd photos and demanded $1,800 while threatening to share the photos. Twenty-seven minutes after their initial contact, Braden tragically took his life.

"Why are you doing this to me? I am only 15, you will ruin my life," Braden sent to the predator.

After months of confusion, Braden’s family learned that their son had been a victim of sextortion. This event is far from isolated. As of January 2024, the FBI had received over 13,000 reports of sextortion, with over 12,600 victims involved, including many teenage boys (FBI).

“I have seen what social media can be responsible for… Braden’s impact on people and the school continues to live on two years later,” wrote Audrey Williams, a senior and former classmate of Braden’s at Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio.

Inspired by Braden's memory, three graduating seniors at Olentangy High School – Bridgett Bajorek, Samantha Happel, and Audrey Williams – launched the 27 Minutes Project. They aimed to educate families about the challenges teens face online and encourage parental involvement in their kid’s digital lives.

“No 12-year-old should be used to talking to strangers online,” Audrey wrote, referencing her own childhood experiences on social media.

Through their six-week campaign, the students shared personal experiences and educational resources on sextortion, the impact of technology on mental health, and the Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act. This now-law, currently facing legal challenges, requires online platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing children under 16 to use their services (Ohio.gov).

The 27 Minutes Project is shining a light on the significant risks teens face online, echoed by the US Surgeon General's warning that social media “presents a meaningful risk of harm to youth” (HHS).

While so many teens in the US live enslaved to the pressure of like counts, social comparison, and online appearances, we’re celebrating three students who are determined to honor their friend’s legacy and be part of the solution.

FOR THE CLASSROOM
Digital Citizenship Curriculum

Our fearless curriculum team lead, Sam, has been hard at work on our Parent ProTech curriculum, and we’re thrilled to share a new set of resources with you.

Not only are all of our lessons built around ISTE educational standards, but we’ve also built our own up-to-date and research-backed framework around the key competencies that your child needs when it comes to tech. Whether you have 5-10 minutes to show your student(s) a quick video or more time for a complete lesson and engaging activity, we have resources to help you.

For more information, check our our video introduction and our scope and sequence overview. All 6-12 lessons are available now, and our K-5 lessons will be available very soon!

WE’VE ALL WONDERED
How do teen guys use social media? 😳

We asked three teens and one pre-teen all about tech and social media, and we learned a lot. This is part one of our two-part conversation series sitting down with teens and hearing from them about their tech use.

We dive into:

• How do they use social media everyday?

• How does social media fit into their vision of their future?

• Where are parental concerns off-base and where are they valid?

• Is Snapchat all that bad?

• What should parents be doing to help their kids build a healthy relationship with tech?

We even got them to impersonate their parents talking about their tech use. Anyone else said one of these? 🫣

To any parents, educators, and community leaders struggling to understand your teen's social media world, this is a must-watch!

WE’RE COVERING
New on Parent ProTech 🆕

Check out a few of our newest videos on parentprotech.com! Our team is sharing new videos and resources in English and Spanish every week.

For the Home + Parents:

• My child wants to get on social media. Where do I begin?

• My child wants to play video games. Where do I begin?

• My child is talking to a stranger online. What should I do?

• My child wants a phone. Where do I begin?

For the Classroom + Students:

• Digital Footprint

• Digital Detox

• AI: The Ultimate Influencer

• Risky Behavior Online

• Cultivating Kindness and Empathy Online

• Social Media and My Future

• Can One Click Change the World?

• Recharge Your Life

• So You Want to be a Content Creator?