by Steven Zimmerman | Nov 25, 2025 | Cyberbullying, Cybersecurity
Over the past few months, several federal agencies, including the FBI, have issued warnings to schools and youth-serving organizations about a handful of online groups that have been linked to grooming, coercion, and other high-risk behavior among minors. In my last...
by Steven Zimmerman | Feb 12, 2025 | Administrators, Apps, Blog, Bullying, Cyberbullying, Cybersecurity, Digital Citizenship, Digital Safety, Mental Health, Online Dangers, Online etiquette, Parenting, Social Media, Suicide Prevention, Virtual Reality
AI-driven companion chatbots, such as Replika and Character.AI, have rapidly gained popularity, especially among youth seeking emotional intimacy or companionship. These platforms offer users the ability to engage in personalized conversations, often blurring the...
by Emma | Nov 30, 2023 | Administrators, Blog, Cyberbullying, Educational Technology, Mental Health, Online Dangers, Social Media, Technology
Social media is an integral part of life for today’s teens. Online interactions and social media platforms offer teens avenues for self-expression, connection, and information sharing. However, the extensive use of social media – especially video- and image-oriented...
by Emma | Oct 19, 2023 | Administrators, Blog, Cyberbullying, Cybersecurity, Digital Citizenship, Digital Safety, Education Law, Educational Technology, Gun Violence, Internet Regulations, Learning and the Law, Online Learning, Parenting, Parents, Safe Learning Environment, School Safety, Teachers, Teaching Topics, Technology
From nationwide threats of on-campus violence to tragic school shootings, school safety is a primary concern for parents, administrators, and educators. However, the need for school safety doesn’t stop at the campus or classroom. Online safety is essential to a safe...
by Emma | Sep 21, 2023 | Administrators, Apps, Blog, Criminal Activity, Cyberbullying, Digital Safety, Distance Learning, Educational Technology, Media Literacy, Online Dangers, Online Learning, Safe Learning Environment, Social Media, Technology
Over the course of the pandemic, teenagers’ use of social networking apps increased exponentially. According to Common Sense Media, “media use by 8- to 18-year-olds has grown faster during the two years of the pandemic than it had over the four years before the...
by Emma | Aug 10, 2023 | Administrators, Blog, Criminal Activity, Cyberbullying, Cybersecurity, Digital Safety, Education Law, Educational Technology, Internet Regulations, Learning and the Law, Media Literacy, Online Dangers, Safe Learning Environment, School Safety, Teaching Topics, Technology
The K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021 set guidelines and strategies to prevent cyberattacks in schools. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), such attacks can lead to weeks of learning loss. It can also take schools months – in some cases, nearly a...