ConnectSafely

Research shows we need a 3-5 minute screen-free break for every 20-30 minutes of work to absorb information. https://connectsafely.org/brain-breaks-are-essential-for-learning/

Family movie night offers a good opportunity to discuss difficult topics with your kids.

Family Movie Night - ConnectSafely Research shows that families who routinely watch movies together are more likely to discuss important and difficult topics like substance abuse, gender equity, death and grieving, and mental health.

🚀 New Episode! Join us for an exclusive chat with Leonard Kleinrock, a key figure in the creation of the internet. We'll explore the fascinating origins of the internet and discuss the concerns of one of its original architects. https://connectsafely.org/this-is-not-a-money-making-machine-internet-pioneer-leonard-kleinrock-and-the-first-network/

For adults and teens alike, FOMO is real.

FOMO: What It Is and How to Manage It - ConnectSafely Social media has accelerated the FOMO phenomenon in several ways - here's how to fight back.

It's time to get comfortable having awkward conversations with kids and teens about online interactions.

Have Awkward Conversations Often - ConnectSafely It's time to get comfortable having awkward conversations with kids and teens about online interactions.

Columbia University professor Dr. Courtney Cogburn is using VR to help people better understand racism. “I thought maybe people need to walk in the experience, maybe they need to have a more personal connection that’s less intellectual," she says.

Podcast: Using Virtual Reality to Fight Racism - ConnectSafely A Columbia University professor is using VR to help people better understand racism in society.

Stashing screens improves the quality of our conversations.

The Season of Giving… and Listening! - ConnectSafely Now that the Season of Giving is upon us, one of the greatest gifts we can give to others is our time and attention.

"🍂🦃 As Thanksgiving approaches, let's talk about the power of gratitude. Did you know that showing thankfulness uplifts your mood and boosts your sleep quality and immune system? 🌟 Learn how technology can play a role. https://buff.ly/3SMCl8k

📢 Personalized GPTs are here. explains. https://connectsafely.org/ask-trish-personalized-gpts/

Ask Trish: Personalized GPTs - ConnectSafely “Hi Trish, I’m wondering what personalized GPTs are. I know what ChatGPT is, but what are personalized GPTs?”

What teens and parents think about generative AI, courtesy of a new survey from Family Online Safety Institute

Survey Sheds Light on Parent, Teen Feelings about Generative AI - ConnectSafely A recent study conducted by Kantar on behalf of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) found that both parents and teens are not only aware of generative AI like ChatGPT but also mostly optimistic about its impact.

Teens who sleep with their phone or other screens nearby are three times more likely to develop problems falling asleep.

How Screens Impact Teen Circadian Rhythms - ConnectSafely Teens who sleep with their phone or other screens nearby were 3 times more likely to develop problems falling asleep.

As we approach the upcoming election, we will all start seeing candidates and their supporters making claims online and on TV about who is responsible for the hardships in our lives. Sometimes, conspiracy theories even take hold in the campaign conversation. Why are conspiracy theories so popular, and why do we sometimes start believing them?

Conspiracy Theories and the News - ConnectSafely As we approach the upcoming election, we will all start seeing candidates and their supporters making claims online and on TV about who is responsible for the hardships in our lives.

Teachers & youth-serving organizations: Apply for a Safer Internet Day grant! ConnectSafely is offering grants of up to $1,000 to help teachers and nonprofits implement programs in their communities. https://saferinternetday.us/grants

ConnectSafely Nonprofit dedicated to helping people stay safe online.

According to a recent survey from Pew Research Center, “Overall, 52% of Americans say they feel more concerned than excited about the increased use of artificial intelligence. Just 10% say they are more excited than concerned, while 36% say they feel an equal mix of these emotions.” It is a good idea to start talking about the impact this emerging technology might have on your family and your core values. Some conversation starters:

👉What is the difference between HI (human intelligence) and AI (artificial intelligence)? Why is the purpose of sharpening our critical thinking skills?

👉What are some tasks that AI can help us with? What are the activities that we do that we are NOT interested in getting assistance from AI?

Why is everyone talking about driverless cars right now? What’s the deal? https://connectsafely.org/ask-trish-driverless-cars/

Have a healthy conversation with your kids and teens about song lyrics this https://connectsafely.org/healthy-conversations-about-song-lyrics/

In research released by the Family Online Safety Institute, 65% of children agree “I wish my parents took my opinion into account more on what/how they manage tech use.”

As this research indicates, adolescents are more likely to abide by tech restrictions and structures when they have a say in how and why they are created.

For a teen perspective, read this short article: https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/what-parents-should-know-about-online-safety-from-the-perspective-of-a-young-person

For more: https://connectsafely.org/wellnesstips

Want to have a healthier, more considered relationship with technology?

Keep these 3 principles in mind and apply them to your online activities.

1. MINDFUL: Be present to your actions, have awareness of, and responsibility over your activities online. Try pausing & thinking more broadly about how what you do, say, click on & scroll through impacts your overall wellbeing

2. MEANINGFUL: Have a sense of purpose and clarity in regard to what you’re reading, commenting on or participating in. When you’re ‘screen facing’ are you aligned to your goals and values?

3. MODERATE: Consider both using technology in moderated amounts of time, but also your ability to moderate or temper what you say and how you react to things that show up in your digital world.

Learn more about Digital Nutrition from psychologist Dr. Jocelyn Brewer.

🎙Larry speaks with Tracy Elizabeth, head of Family Safety & Developmental Health for TikTok. Tracy gets parent fears about social media but also sees parents' immense potential in shaping their teens' positive use of technology. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dSGWqfKVUPRlot89KGeeH?si=oZZKCHJ0SmG3giZYYARdyw

ConnectSafely Nonprofit dedicated to helping people stay safe online.

Do you find the adolescents in your life defaulting to screens? There are ways to nudge their attention toward online influencers who use social media to do good in the world. https://connectsafely.org/turn-online-distractions-into-online-inspirations/

Ask Trish's Trisha Prabhu gives ConnectSafely's new podcast a listen. https://connectsafely.org/ask-trish-are-we-doing-tech-right/

📢Parents can now establish parent-managed Meta accounts for their children aged 10-12 for Meta Quest 2 and 3 VR headsets. Read all the details in our new guide.

Parent's Guide to Managed Meta Accounts for Pre-Teens - ConnectSafely Meta Quest immersive VR headsets have long been available for adults and teens. And now, Meta is enabling parents to set up parent-managed accounts for pre-teens.

We have a new podcast! Are We Doing Tech Right? explores the benefits and challenges of connected technology. Our first episode features internet pioneer Vint Cerf, who talks about what they did right and what he would do differently. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-pioneer-vint-cerf-on-what-they-did-right-and/id1706908034?i=1000627927575

ConnectSafely Nonprofit dedicated to helping people stay safe online.

Technology can help us get outside to enjoy what’s left of summer. Here are some apps that can increase our understanding of the natural world.

👉Night Sky: Day or night, just aim your device skyward to see a live 3D map of the heavens, complete with beautifully illustrated constellations, stars, planets, and satellites.

👉AllTrails: Wherever you might be, quickly find the perfect hike, bike ride, or trail run by length, rating, and difficulty level. Filter by dog or kid friendly trails, or find trails with great views.

👉Audubon Bird Guide: A complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Built for all experience levels, it will help you identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds you’ve seen, and get outside to find new birds near you.

👉PlantSnap: Start by snapping a photo of the plant in question. In seconds, the app will identify the plant. It’s able to recognize 90% of all known species of plants and trees, making it easy to determine what you’re seeing while you’re out exploring.