Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online

Josh Ochs
  • 4.9 (206)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED DAILY

The Smart Social Team teaches parents, educators, and students how to stay safe on social media so they can Shine Online. We show you how to audit your Google results and use your social media accounts as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. We keep it tactical and practical with tips you can use to better understand how to navigate the digital world as a parent, student, and educator. Learn more at SmartSocial.com

  1. 2D AGO

    "Students have posted online, gotten expelled, & embarrassed their families at home" —Dr. Lawrence

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Dr. David Lawrence, Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools in southwest Ohio, to talk about student digital safety, phone addiction, and how AI is showing up in classrooms. Dr. Lawrence explains how online behavior can lead to real consequences at school and at home, from posts and videos that bring embarrassment to families to off-campus conflicts that spill into school on Mondays, often forcing administrators to act like investigators instead of instructional leaders. They discuss Dayton’s decision to limit student phone use during the school day using pouches or envelopes, the early changes staff are noticing in student behavior, and how excessive screen time can impact mental health, isolation, and identity. Dr. Lawrence also shares practical guidance for students on protecting their online reputation, highlights red flags when strangers online get overly personal, and walks through Dayton’s approach to “augmented intelligence,” including how the district is testing tools with guardrails while building community partnerships and mentoring supports to keep students safe and successful online. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    27 min

  2. FEB 6

    "We have to teach our kids to engage in online communities positively and responsibly" Harry Sherman

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: In this episode of the Smart Social.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs talks with Harry Sherman, Community Superintendent of School District 9 in the South Bronx, about the challenges and strategies related to keeping students safe and responsible online. They discuss issues like screen addiction, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and the role of AI in education. The conversation highlights the importance of building trust, transparency, and positive online behaviors in students. They also cover how schools, parents, and communities can work together to reinforce digital safety and healthy social media habits. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    27 min

  3. FEB 5

    "My Attention Span Is So Short, Studying Is Harder” (Snapchat, TikTok & Instagram Teen Panel)

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs is joined by four teenage girls who share their experiences and challenges with social media. They discuss the impact of social media on their mental health, the pressures of maintaining streaks on Snapchat, and how the constant comparison and fake appearances online affect their self-esteem. The teens provide insights into the benefits and drawbacks of having screen time limits and share their strategies for managing their social media use. They also contemplate the idea of collectively reducing their social media use and how to balance online and offline activities. The episode ends with a challenge for the teens to try and limit their Snapchat use for a short period and reflect on the experience. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    36 min

  4. JAN 30

    Stop the YouTube Shorts Scroll: Time Limits for Teen Accounts

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Short videos feel harmless because each clip is quick. But that’s exactly why time can slip away, especially at night. In this episode, we talk about how parents can use YouTube’s settings for supervised teen accounts to add helpful guardrails around Shorts, plus how to set a simple family expectation that reduces pushback. If your teen has ever planned to watch one thing and ended up scrolling for much longer, this will give you a clear starting point. For the full parent walkthrough, visit SmartSocial.com. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    3 min

  5. JAN 27

    Apps, Attention, and Family Boundaries (8th Grader Teen Panel)

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Parents, what happens after your teen opens their apps to hit play has a way of making screen time quietly take over. Four students helped Josh pull back the curtain on the part parents rarely see: the moment a normal video turns into a feed, a streak, a suggestion, and suddenly your teen is still awake, still scrolling, and everyone’s frustrated. That’s when sleep gets shorter, focus gets harder, and family conversations get tense. And the more “rules” turn into rapid-fire reminders, the more kids learn to hide instead of talk. If you want screen time boundaries that actually match what teens are up against, start here. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    26 min

  6. JAN 26

    "Focus on proactively limiting the need to repair an online reputation" with Dr. Gordon Amerson

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he chats with Dr. Gordon Amerson, Superintendent of the Val Verde Unified School District. They delve into the real-world impacts of digital information, proactive online reputation management, and the prominent challenges like TikTok dangers, group text messages, and the mental health impact of excessive screen time. Dr. Amerson shares his journey from professional baseball to education, offering insights into safeguarding students with policies, engaging parents, and leveraging AI responsibly in education. Listen for practical advice on creating a safer, positive online experience for students and their communities. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    20 min

  7. JAN 21

    "We can't ban technology, but we can teach kids to use it responsibly" Dr. Kuhn & Dr. Balgobin

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs explores digital safety and student success online with Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools, and Dr. Matt Kuhn, Chief Technology Officer for the district. They discuss strategies for responsible technology use, the impact of AI in education, social media challenges, and ways to foster collaboration between schools and parents. With tips on handling screen time, students' online interactions, and the balance between entertainment and education, this conversation provides valuable insights for educators, parents, and community leaders working to keep students safe and successful in a digital world. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    50 min

  8. JAN 20

    "AI is used as a tool to supplement learning, not replace it" with Andy Beaton

    Protect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events:  https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs sits down with Andy Beaton, Assistant Superintendent in ISD 622, to discuss the challenges and strategies for keeping students safe online. The conversation covers a range of topics including the implications of AI on student learning, the dangers of social media, and the importance of digital citizenship. With valuable tips for parents, educators, and administrators, Andy shares his extensive experience and insights on how to foster a safe and productive digital environment for young people. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™

    33 min
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4.9
out of 5
206 Ratings

About

The Smart Social Team teaches parents, educators, and students how to stay safe on social media so they can Shine Online. We show you how to audit your Google results and use your social media accounts as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. We keep it tactical and practical with tips you can use to better understand how to navigate the digital world as a parent, student, and educator. Learn more at SmartSocial.com

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