The ProTech Playbook - May Edition

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech 📲

🤖 “More Life-Like Than Ever” | OpenAI announced Chat GPT-4 Omni, their newest innovation with eerily humanlike conversational abilities (TechRadar). Wondering how to talk with your kids about AI? Start here.

🥱 Boredom Buster | Nearly three in four youth on social media “unconsciously reach for social media when bored,” according to a recent Common Sense Media report. These teens are choosing a better path.

❌ TikTok Meddling | While we await a ruling on the TikTok ban, TikTok has announced efforts to break up efforts by foreign countries to influence US political discourse. One network they took down had over 110,000 followers and shared positive narratives about Chinese governmental policy and culture targeted at US users (The Verge).

🫣 Cover Their Eyes on Twitch | If your child likes to game (or watch others game), we’ve highlighted how easily accessible adult content is on Twitch, the popular live streaming platform. Now, Twitch has made it a little easier to filter streams that include mature themes (Mashable).

YOUR SUMMER PLAYBOOK
Let the Summer Screen Time Battle Commence… 🥊

The school year is coming to a close, and devices are in.

We’re sharing tips for setting boundaries and making sure your kids experience all the best things summer has to offer without the downsides of too much tech and the summer slide.

Learn how to:

• Better manage screen time

• Set clear expectations and create a summer bucket list together

• Encourage active screen time that helps your child learn and grow

• Minimize passive screen time and mindless scrolling

We’re even highlighting the dangers of "phubbing" and how to be a good tech role model for your kids.

If you aren’t already signed up for Parent ProTech, you can sign up to access all our family and classroom tech resources here.

¿Hablas español? Haz click aquí para ver el video en Español. 😊

Translation: Do you speak Spanish? We’ve got you covered.

PROTECH IN ACTION
Tech’s Challenges + What You Can Do 🔒

Joshua and Alexa from the ProTech team just returned from leading two family seminars in Colorado.

These conversations are our opportunity to outline the challenges our kids face online and give parents and guardians practical strategies to use at home.

If you’re interested in hosting a professional development at your school, a parent discussion in your community, or a talk for your students, email us at [email protected].

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Tech’s Impact on Our Kids 😞

The numbers are alarming.

From families and teachers to social psychologists and developmental experts, there is consensus around the reality that tech has “rewired childhood.”

From shortened attention spans to the widespread exposure to adult content, the effects on our kids are long-lasting.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, take a few minutes to check in with the friends and students in your life. Your child needs you.

If you’re looking for evidence-based strategies to help you equip and shape your child into a self-sustaining adult, check out our series with Dr. Crystal Collier, a Houston-based researcher, therapist, educator, and the author of The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide.