📲 Your guide to tech...

IN THE NEWS
Today’s Top Tech 📲

📵 Rise in Online Threats | The US Homeland Security chief says we’re seeing a rise in school-related threats across the US. From TN to NY, OH to TX, school leaders are facing chaos from student activity on social media. If you’re wondering where to begin, our series on threats can help you navigate this issue with your students. Show your students this video on the consequences of threats.

💄 Sephora + Tweens | A $430 billion industry is targeting your kids, and they’re using social media to get their attention and business. Here are some conversation starters if your kids are asking for beauty products.

🤳 Teens on Instagram | Instagram has added restrictions on accounts for those under age 16. This update will automatically limit available content, account privacy, and who can contact teens, but this does not mean that all teens will be met with a safer Instagram. Instagram has a long way to go.

😰 The Future of AI | The company behind ChatGPT is shifting from a non-profit to a for-profit company (and netting the CEO $10.5 billion). When financial bottom lines supersede benefitting humanity, can we trust OpenAI? If you’re wondering how AI impacts what you see online, watch this video with your students.

🦸‍♀️ Tony Stark Glasses | You might be one step closer to living your Iron Man dreams with Orion, Meta’s augmented reality glasses. The innovation combines AR, AI, eye and hand tracking, and is being called the “iPhone killer.” In other futuristic Meta news, you might even find your own face in an AI-generated image on your Instagram feed. Add it to the list of Meta policies that scare us.

TRENDING
Lost in Translation: Gen Alpha Slang 🤷‍♀️

🫠 Brainrot: Collectively Cooked | All this screen time might be rotting our brains, but now there’s even a word students use as a badge of honor to describe the phenomenon: brainrot. Detrimental side effects may include the overuse of internet slang and references. Use this video to help your students build a healthy relationship with all the tech in their lives.

🥇 +1,000 Aura Points | If life is a game, every activity adds or subtracts from your overall aura points. Sending a quality meme to a group chat will add to your aura points, while walking down the hall with your backpack unzipped will lead to a loss in aura points. Use this one with your students, and let us know how it goes.

PROTECH ON THE ROAD
Parent with Purpose 🫵

“How can I protect my kids online?” It’s a question we get often. Here’s how one 18-year teaching veteran answered the question.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, we’ve developed multiple strategies to help your family and classroom win online. Last week, our team led hundreds of families and educators from across the state of Tennessee in conversations around online safety.

You can hear more of our philosophy on The Purpose Podcast.

Let us know if you want to host a Parent ProTech conversation to help empower families and leaders in your community.

PRESENTED BY BARK TECHNOLOGIES
The Bark Watch is Coming… 🥳

From the company that brought you the one-of-a-kind Bark Phone, Bark App, and Bark Home, Bark is building a smartwatch designed with your kids in mind.

We’ve tested Bark’s products in the past, and their innovation puts families first and protects kids and youth online.

The Bark Watch comes with talk and text and lets you track location, monitor texts, manage contacts, and more. We haven’t gotten our hands on one yet, but we’re excited to test this product once it’s launched.

Sign up for the waitlist and be entered to win a free Bark Watch here! 🎉

FOR YOU
Today’s Tech Tip: Preparing for a Lost, Stolen, or Broken Phone 📲

A lost or broken phone doesn’t have to ruin your month.

Follow these steps to prepare for the worst with easy steps to back up data, locate missing devices, and even deal with cracked screens.

GAMING
Your Guide to PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch 🎮

Pew has found that 85% of US teens play video games, with nearly half of those teens gaming every single day. From parental controls to online gaming, navigating this world can be overwhelming.

Our team has done a deep dive into the top consoles kids and teens are using today to help give you a foundation in navigating this world. You can see these up-to-date videos here.

If we had one tip when it comes to video games in your home, we recommend placing consoles in central areas where you can be aware of what your kids are playing and more importantly, who they’re gaming with. Bonus: If you’re feeling really crazy, ask your child to teach you about the game they love and take a few minutes to play with them.

HELP!
“With tech, where do I even begin?” 🥴

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the tech your kids are on? You can select a time slot here for one-on-one coaching with one of our Parent ProTech tech experts.

Be sure to let us know in the description what app or tech tool you need help with. This will help us ensure we come to our conversation prepared and ready to help you!