Wellness & Safety — News & Popular Guides
Parent’s Guide to Google Search
Parental involvement and productive conversations are crucial for ensuring safe and appropriate experiences.
Ask Trish: Follow Requests
I get follow requests from ppl I don’t know, or ppl at my school that I haven’t really talked to and I never know whether I should accept or not. How do u know who to accept?
Ask Trish: Sextortion Facts
Me last week, reading some recently published articles about sextortion, and thinking to myself: “This issue is too important not to discuss with youth, too. They deserve the facts!”
Overcoming FOMO
How to overcome FOMO — or “fear of missing out.”
Ask Trish: U.S. Surgeon General’s Social Media Advisory
What you should know about this week’s report on social media and youth from the U.S. Surgeon General and why it’s a big deal.
More Recommendations
Social Media Can Contribute to Despair about War but also Provide Relief
Like many people, I’ve spent a lot of time in front of my phone, computer and TV, focused on the war in Ukraine. On some TV news programs, it’s literally the only subject covered, sometimes in minute detail.
Parent’s & Educator’s Guide to Media Literacy & False Information
Two-thirds of students can’t identify sponsored content.
Video: TikTok’s Director of Creator Community
ConnectSafely CEO Larry Magid and Youth Advisor Trisha Prabhu spoke with Kudzi Chikumbu, TikTok’s Director of Creator Community, about the “secret sauce” for TikTok success.
Safer Internet Day: Programs for Home & School
We’re particularly proud of the experts and influencers we’ve lined up for this year’s program. Videos and other resources for families and schools are free and available now.
Ask Trish: Making Digital Resolutions
Me, thinking to myself earlier this week: “What’s the one thing I want to leave the Ask Trish community with in 2021?”
Facebook Not Alone in Embrace of ‘Metaverse’
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, Facebook has renamed itself Meta. Some people thought that was in response to the company’s recent troubles, but a company the size of Facebook doesn’t go through a major rebranding in a matter of weeks. It’s clearly been on the drawing board for months, if not longer.
Digital Wellness is Physical Wellness
Physical wellness is often associated with sleep, nutrition, and exercise but your technology habits are also having an influence.
FBI Issues Warning About Sextortion After Arrest in Teen Death
The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) issued a joint national public safety alert on financial sextortion schemes.
Avoiding ‘Zoom Fatigue’
Over the past couple of years there has been an increased focus on screen time. Much of this has to do with the pandemic that has forced both adults and children into video meetings and learning during times when it was considered unsafe to gather in person.
Generosity is Great, But Be Cautious When Giving to Charity
“Giving Tuesday,” which is now behind us, is really the start of the end-of-the-year holiday giving period. Unfortunately, this season of generosity also brings out online scammers.
Ask Trish: Social Media and Mental Health
Dear Trish: Maybe it’s just me but I just feel really bad about myself when I’m on social media. Like literally everyone seems to be living their best life and it reminds me how much is wrong with mine. How can I feel better?
Family Guide to Parental Controls
How do I know when to use them, and should I tell my kids?
Guide to Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
How to use Ray-Ban Meta Smart glasses responsibly.
Protecting Mental Health on Instagram
I’m grateful to the Wall Street Journal for shedding light on some of the ways social media can contribute to a sense of inadequacy and other mental health issues. But what the article didn’t include is tips on how parents and teens can deal with these issues for a healthier online experience.
More Recommendations
Avoiding Financial Fraud During Covid-19
ConnectSafely’s CEO Larry Magid speaks with US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Tom Edwards and Visa VP Lori Hodges about why financial fraud is expected to increase in the coming weeks
Resources for Coping, Learning, and Shopping While Stuck Home
There is never a good time for a pandemic, but the silver lining on this very dark cloud is that it’s happening at a...
Parenting & Working While Sheltering at Home
ConnectSafely’s CEO Larry Magid speaks with ConnectSafely’s Director of K-12 Education Kerry Gallagher about parenting and working while sheltering at home.
Prepare Now in Case You Need Remote Tech Support During Coronavirus Crisis
If you’re like most people, you probably have occasional problems with your PC, Mac or other devices. And while some people have the technical skills to solve these problems themselves, most people rely on help from tech support
Tech Tools to Engage your Family in Fun or Educational Activities
There are plenty of tools out there to keep every member of the family engaged during this period when many of us are...
Parenting and Working While Sheltering at Home
A blog post by Larry Magid and a podcast with Larry and ConnectSafely education director, Kerry Gallagher about working from home while your kids are at home engaged in home-based learning.
Tools to Help Identify Real Vs. False Online Information
by Larry Magid Daniel Patrick Moynihan is credited as once saying “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not...
Comcast Expands Access and Increases Speed of Internet Essentials Due to Coronavirus
A lot of communities are closing schools and, of course, many of those workers who can are now working from home. This makes a lot of sense, but there are families who simply can’t afford high-speed home Internet.
TikTok to Give Parents More Control Over Teen Accounts
TikTok is adding a Family Safety Mode to give parents more control over their teen’s account