The ProTech Playbook - July Edition

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech 📲

🏅 2024 Olympics | After an opening ceremony controversy and subsequent apology, Olympics coverage is trending across social media. From Simone Biles and Caleb Dressel to Lebron James and Taylor Swift, it’s hard to miss. On NBC, A.I. Al Michaels is reporting.

🇺🇸 White House Task Force on Online Safety | Government experts released recommendations for families and industry leaders to protect kids online. One of their top directives? Families need to have “open and non-judgmental communication” around social media. Try starting with our conversation starters at the end of every ProTech series.

😵 Meta vs. Sextortion | In a 2023 report, the FBI documented thousands of reports of sextortion and at least a dozen of related suicides. Further investigations have shown how Nigerian-based scammers have used Instagram to target US teens. Last week, Meta removed "63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria” linked to such scams. This interactive from NCMEC highlights how convincing (and quick) these scams can be.

🔒 The Kids Online Safety Act Moves? Finally. | All signs indicate that KOSA will move to a final vote in the US Senate this week. Advocates say this will add a long overdue “duty of care” on tech providers to make their spaces safer for kids. The bill’s fate in the House remains unclear.

📉 Snapchat + Sports? | SNAP stock has underperformed 2024 expectations. Fighting for user attention and ad opportunities for increased revenue, SNAP is adding a sports experience to engage their young audience. Our concern: Tech giants will do anything to capture your student’s attention. Our guide to Snapchat is a great place to start.

TRENDING
“They’re speaking a different language.” 🤷‍♀️

🟩 BRAT + brat summer | The trend that started with Charli XCX’s June album gained momentum with one three-word tweet from the pop singer on X: “kamala IS brat.” The term can be defined as unapologetic confidence, individuality, and a refusal to conform. TODAY sums it up as “accepting your imperfections while embracing the chaos.” Even Glamour has chimed in. Still confused? Ask a teenager.

🚽 What do Michael Bay and a talking toilet have in common? | One 24-year old’s YouTube channel has generated over 17 B views in just over one year… that’s more views than this timeless classic from Justin Bieber received in 14 years. The talking “skibidi” toilet has become an online phenom, and now Hollywood executives are discussing ways to bring it to the big screen. Our takeaway? Social media’s impact on the next generation is so sizable that even big entertainment is taking notice.

📖 The ick, boop, IYKYK, and chef’s kiss hit the dictionary | These terms, many of them rooted in youth online culture, are now official entries in the 2024 Cambridge Dictionary. We dare you to try throwing a couple in during your next conversation with a teenager.

CURRICULUM
Your child wants to be a content creator? 📹

A 2023 Morning Consult survey found that 3 in 5 Gen Zers would become an influencer if given the opportunity.

The Washington Post estimates that “12 percent of all US adults are creators, [or] people who earn money through digital content creation,” and we see this trend only continuing to grow in the years ahead.

While the term “influencer” comes with a wide array of connotations and implications, the reality of working and sustaining a career in this field is not all rosy.

In this video and accompanying curriculum for high school students, we’re highlighting the foundational understanding, awareness, and tools students need to have if they’re interested in content creation.

SOCIAL MEDIA
No place like noplace... 📱

Noplace skyrocketed to the top of the Apple App Store charts earlier this month after it went viral online. Many are calling the text-based app a Gen Z MySpace-X hybrid. The team at noplace says they’re building a reimagined social media without ads, algorithms, and the collecting/selling of user data.

Teens like noplace because it prioritizes customization and sharing simple, everyday updates and opinions. There are no photos, and it’s far simpler than platforms like Instagram or Snapchat, that many call a “highlight reel.”

Still, noplace has a long way to go. From a global feed connecting users to everyone on the platform across the world to an imperfect and flawed content filtering system, we’re eager to see what the coming months have in store for the app.

You can watch our one-minute review here.

ON THE ROAD
Come meet us in person! 🤝

The school year is fast approaching, and our team is hitting the road to talk with families, students, and community leaders across the country.

Our team team will be at work hosting events, presentations, and conversations in:

• 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!