📲 Your guide to tech...

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech 📲

🗳️ Political Ads + Big Tech | While political campaigns have spent north of $10 billion on ad messaging this election, Meta and Google blocked all political material in ads up to the election in an attempt to limit misinformation. Use this time to teach your kids how much special interests will pay for their attention.

🙅‍♀️ Roblox = A Pedophile Paradise | The stories of grooming, CSAM, and explicit content are widespread on Roblox. The game provides millions of minors with millions of online games and experiences designed by unvetted and unchecked developers. Roblox is adding parental features, but we suggest families proceed with caution. Here’s our full review.

🔞 Instagram Age Verification | For all those who lied their age on social media, Instagram is coming for you. Meta’s new AI tool will study posts, followers, and activity (even happy birthday posts) to detect age and restrict underage users.

👀 Big Tech + AI | Are you getting tired of AI everywhere? You can turn off the AI features in prominent Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft products. If you’re looking for a way to talk to your kids about AI, start here.

🫵 Your Kids Need You | A UK charity surveyed 5,200 11-18-year-olds and found that over half the group wanted to cut down on their screen time but simply did not know how. As a parent and leader, it starts with you. What are you modeling?

IN THE CLASSROOM
Phones in Schools: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN? 📵

NYU social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt has argued that “banning phones in schools is the easiest and fastest step that we should take to improve youth mental health.” While many administrators have reported remarkable changes in student engagement and cyberbullying after phone bans, some parents have raised safety concerns.

Well, what should schools be doing? In this video, we dive into the ongoing debate and provide you with practical next steps to navigate these bans as a family or community.

SMARTPHONES
“There are safe smartphones?!” 😳

The holidays are upon us, and so is the question your children will surely ask: “Can I please have a phone?”

If you're like us, you're probably wondering if your kids should have a smartphone and, if so, which one is the best and safest option.

Our team has spent hours researching the top devices, including multiple phones that were designed with kids in mind. We’re covering the good, the bad, and the ugly here.

TRENDING
Lost in Translation: Understanding a Generation 🤷‍♀️

❤️ Elmo Cares | The Sesame Street icon started the year asking, “How is everybody doing?” Thousands shared stories of resilience and overcoming. In a divided country, Elmo is back to unite us: “Elmo loves you.” Thanks, Elmo.

😅 What the sigma? | Sigma is slang for a cool, successful guy. It’s an "alpha male" with more independence. But wait… there’s more. Youth are now using the phrase, “what the sigma,” when they are surprised, confused, or in disbelief, usually in a humorous or sarcastic tone.

CURRICULUM
Are your students prepared for the tech world? 😬

Are your students navigating the online world without a guide? Can they answer:

• How do I know when to take a break from my tech?

• How do I differentiate fact from fiction online?

• Can I trust who I meet online?

• How does AI influence me?

• And many more…

Log in or sign up for a Parent ProTech account to access all our student videos (and curriculum) to equip your family and classroom. Here are a few of our favorite clips.

PARENTS SPEAK
Are we raising a generation of digital addicts? 🫣

We asked parents, educators, and students about the joys and pitfalls of the digital age.

Watch this video to learn how parents and career educators navigate the tech maze, and let us know your favorite insight. We’re still trying to figure out our own rizz levels. 🤣