The ProTech Playbook - August Edition

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech 📲

👎 Hackers + Your SSN | Millions of Americans had their social security numbers stolen in a hack of one background check company (CNBC). Check if you were affected. Freezing your credit is never a bad idea.

😊 No Phones, Higher Scores, Fewer Fights, Improved Focus | One LA principal credits a cell phone ban to a renewed campus environment (LA Times). This week, CA lawmakers joined others nationwide in passing a restriction for CA districts on cellphones during school hours (CBS). If you you have students struggling to cope, these steps may help.

🚫 Meta + Misinformation | Months before the November election, Meta has pulled a disinformation tracker (TechCrunch) and spoken out on government influence (AP News). Now, it’s important that students know how to decipher facts from fakes online. This video is a great guide.

🙈 TikTok Can’t Hide | Tech companies have long used Section 230 to shield them from responsibility for what users share on their platforms. This week, a PA appeals court ruled that TikTok’s algorithm was not protected, and now TikTok must face a lawsuit for recommending 10-year-old Nylah Anderson a blackout challenge video (CBS). Watch our deep dive into how AI algorithms impact us here.

📱 Apple Stans Unite | Apple loyalists are counting down to 9/9, when Apple is expected to announce the next generation of iPhones. Apple Intelligence (Apple’s AI), lock and hide apps, a new password manager, and a customizable home screen are among the updates in iOS 18 that will release with the new devices in September (CNET).

TRENDING
Lost in Translation: Gen Alpha Slang 🤷‍♀️

✨ Very Demure, Very Mindful | It’s all about being mindful, cutesy, and not doing too much. The trend started with one video on TikTok that’s been watched nearly 50 million times. Since that video, the creator of the trend, Jools Lebron, has partnered with Verizon, Netflix, and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live. There’s even a trademark controversy (NPR).

🤔 Can’t Talk, I’m Mewing | Mewing is simply making your jaw-line appear more defined, but students are now leaning into the trend as a tool for avoiding parents and educators. One teacher explains it here.

PROTECH CURRICULUM
Laying a Digital Foundation for Students 💪

It’s back-to-school season, and our curriculum team has been hard at work to equip your students. All of our K-2nd grade classroom resources are now LIVE, compete with lesson plans and activities to teach digital citizenship in an engaging way.

Activities range from a digital age read aloud on Little Red Riding Hood to custom comic strips for students to create on protecting their information online.

Do you have older students? We’ve got you covered. All of our 6th-12th grade lessons and videos built around ISTE educational standards are available on Parent ProTech.

HELPING YOU NAVIGATE TECH
AI: It's Closer Than You Think 😬

Ever wondered how Amazon knows exactly what you want to buy next or why your social media feed feels so tailored to your interests? The answer lies in artificial intelligence (AI). From spell check to personalized recommendations, AI is subtly shaping our daily lives.

In this video from our ProTech curriculum, we dive into the fascinating world of AI. Take a few minutes to watch with your student and learn about algorithms, biases, and practical tips to navigate this ever-evolving technology.

FOR YOU
Today’s Tech Tip: Phone Storage Full? 📲

Anyone else tired of these dreaded notifications that your phone is out of storage? It’s time to clean up your phone.

This simple guide can help.

If you have any specific tech questions, shoot our team a message here.

PROTECH TEAM
The ProTech Team is Growing! 🎉

Join us in welcoming Melvin Amador to the Parent ProTech team!

Melvin is an accomplished video expert with a passion for visual storytelling. Before he was creating videos, he spent a decade traveling the world with American Airlines as a Spanish bilingual flight attendant.

Most importantly, Melvin is a devoted husband and dad. He understands firsthand the importance of maintaining a healthy balance in the digital world and protecting the next generation online.

Melvin joined the team one month ago, and he’s already helping us reimagine our resources (like this) to help you equip your family to thrive online.

If you’re wondering about our previous creative director, Joshua, he’s now serving as our new Chief Creative Officer!

PROTECH ON THE ROAD
Don’t Be A Stranger! 🤝

The school year is back, and our team is hitting the road to sit down with families, students, and community leaders across the country.

In the next few weeks, we are hosting events, presentations, and conversations in:

• CA: Los Angeles

• MA: Boston

• MO: Cape Girardeau, Columbia

• NC: Charlotte

• SC: Greenville

• TN: Knoxville

• TX: Austin, Harlingen, Houston, Weslaco

 Let us know if you’re based in any of these areas, and we’d love to find a time to connect in person!