Meadow Lane Elementary School PTA
Lincoln, Neb.
Meadow Lane Elementary School ϳԹin Lincoln, Neb., wanted to help educate their school community about age-appropriate technology and empower families to make informed decisions about technology use in their homes. With many parents asking the question When is the right time to give my child a phone?, the ϳԹused their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event.
Using the provided program guide, the ϳԹfacilitated discussions about online safety, screen time and being good digital citizens. Families also completed the PhoneReady questionnaire, which was created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to help parents decide if their child was ready for a phone.
With the hands-on activities and resources, families shared concerns and exchanged ideas about technology use. The program fostered a sense of community among participants, as families came together to learn and support one another in their digital literacy journey.
If you want to empower families in your community with tools, tips and resources to navigate the digital world, learn how your ϳԹcan host a Ready, Tech, Go! event. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The program fostered a sense of community among participants, as families came together to learn and support one another in their digital literacy journey.”
Sanders Elementary School PTA
Austell, Ga.
Sanders Elementary School ϳԹserves a Title I school in Austell, Ga. To help parents and caregivers have open and meaningful conversations with their children about online behavior and safety, they used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton (a part of the Gen family of brands), to host The Smart Talk, a program that is part of the ϳԹConnected initiative. The Smart Talk offers practical guidance on how families can set healthy digital limits together. The provided program guide also helped families explore what it means to be good digital citizens. Parents and caregivers gained valuable tools to help them have healthy conversations about their children's online activities. To increase participation, they offered a light breakfast and had a giveaway for a fully equipped device complete with keyboard, mouse, case and a headset. The Smart Talk program kept caregivers and students engaged, with both sides asking questions and opening up about their online experiences. Families left with tools to keep the conversation going at home. Learn how your ϳԹcan run a Smart Talk event at your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This program made a significant impact in our community by empowering parents to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about online behavior and safety.”
Cambridge Elementary School PTA
Jeffersonville, Vt.
Serving a Title I school in Jeffersonville, Vt., Cambridge Elementary School ϳԹwanted to help parents and caregivers make tough decisions about technology use and when to give their child a phone. Using their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T, the ϳԹhosted a Ready, Tech, Go! event.
Using the provided materials and program guide, they facilitated conversations about technology use and online safety with parents, grandparents and caregivers. They also tackled the question “When is the right time to give my child a phone?” by completing the PhoneReady Quiz, which was created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
This was one of PTA’s first events as a new ϳԹboard, and it was very much appreciated by their school community. Attendees left feeling more confident about making the right technology choices for their families. They plan to offer the event every year. Learn how your ϳԹcan host a Ready, Tech, Go! event in your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This extremely important program provides guidance to help families have talks about online safety and allows them to come to agreements that all can feel good about.”
Tahoe Elementary School PTA
Sacramento, Calif.
Tahoe Elementary ϳԹin Sacramento, Calif., serves a diverse school community, including low-income families and families where English is not their first language. Because their school community has a wide range of access to and experiences with using the internet, they decided to use their grant from National PTA, Google and YouTube to integrate a Be Internet Awesome program into the school’s annual open house. Through the provided program guide and materials, families received helpful resources and participated in discussions on digital citizenship and online safety to help them explore the online world with confidence. The open house is a popular event, which drove participation in their program. The ϳԹreported that they “were thrilled at the level of participation.” Learn how your ϳԹcan host a Be Internet Awesome program in your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Participants at our small school were excited to have a program to help them create positive and secure internet experiences for their kids.”
Montebello Elementary PTA
Suffern, N.Y.
To equip families with the tools they need to have conversations about technology use and online behavior, Montebello Elementary School ϳԹin Suffern, N.Y., used their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event. They had three goals for their event:
- Motivate parents and caregivers to introduce conversations at home about internet and device safety.
- Equip parents and caregivers with tools, information and resources to help their children safely navigate the online world.
- Offer a tool for parents and caregivers to assess if it is appropriate for their kids to have a device.
They held their event during their school’s popular Curriculum Night to boost attendance. They also translated their materials into Spanish to support their large Hispanic population.
During their event, they helped parents and caregivers tackle the question “When is the right time to give my child a phone?” Families could complete the PhoneReady Quiz, which was created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Attendees who completed the quiz were entered into a raffle for fun prizes.
Many parents and caregivers hadn’t considered having these conversations in elementary school, but they learned that their kids are already navigating digital spaces and need guidance. Attendees reported feeling better equipped to talk to their students about online safety and behavior after the session. Learn how your ϳԹcan host a Ready, Tech, Go! event in your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Our students are already navigating in digital spaces. Our event equipped families with tools to help them have conversations with their kids about their online behavior.”
Thomas Grover Middle School PTSA
Princeton Junction, N.J.
Thomas Grover Middle School PTSA in Princeton Junction, N.J., recognized that there was a growing gap between students and their caregivers when it comes to technology use and digital safety. To close that gap and open the lines of communication within families, the PTSA used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton (a part of the GenTM family of brands) to host a Smart Talk conversation, part of the ϳԹConnected programs. Their goal was to help students and caregivers understand the opportunities that come from the digital world while providing tools to help kids stay safe online. They also wanted to assist parents with understanding privacy settings on popular apps and websites. To involve as many families as possible, they hosted the event in the evening and provided dinner. They also invited families from a neighboring middle school and had their district’s technology director and local police department present at the event. The Smart Talk program kept caregivers and students engaged, with both sides opening up about their online experiences and asking questions. Families left with tools to keep the conversation going at home. Learn how your ϳԹcan run a Smart Talk event at your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Our Smart Talk event provided an icebreaker for parents and children to start having healthy and meaningful conversations about digital safety, especially in this world where children are way ahead of parents.”
Jacksonville Elementary School PTA
Phoenix, Md.
Parenting in the digital age can be challenging. As families in their school community faced decisions about technology use, Jacksonville Elementary School ϳԹdecided to use their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event during which parents tackled the question “When is the right time to give my child a phone?” The school principal and resource officer helped facilitate the discussions. Using the provided program guide, families had open, interactive conversations about screen time and digital safety. They also took AT&T’s PhoneReady Quiz, created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The quiz helps families determine if their child is truly ready for a phone. With the tips, guidance and support received at the event, families left feeling empowered to make informed decisions about device usage and how to set technology boundaries in their homes that align with their family values. #ReadyTechGo #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“By learning from each other’s experiences and opinions at our event, parents gained confidence in setting tech boundaries that align with their family values.”
Ed C. Lewis Elementary School PTA
Downey, Calif.
Every student at Ed C. Lewis Elementary School in Downey, Calif., is assigned a device that they can take home, giving students as young as four access to technology. To help their Title I school community build healthy online habits, the ϳԹused their grant from National PTA, Google and YouTube to host a Be Internet Awesome event. Using the provided resources from the Be Internet Awesome program, families learned how to create a safe digital environment at home. They also learned how to have sensitive internet safety conversations with their young children and heard from other families about their online experiences. The event helped families understand what it means to be a good digital citizen and how to support and guide their children when they are online. The ϳԹprovided dinner, free childcare, a translator and fun prizes to encourage families to attend. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“We were so excited to bring this program to our school as a resource for parents who have yet to talk to their students about internet safety.”
Johnston County Early College Academy PTSA
Smithfield, N.C.
Johnston County Early College Academy PTSA in Smithfield, N.C., wanted to help their school community understand the potential pitfalls they could encounter in the online world and give them tools and strategies to communicate safely and effectively online. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Discord, they brought parents and students together for a Build Up and Belong event. Using the provided program guide, attendees worked through different scenarios that kids may face online. Their event included a panel discussion about online safety and the responsible use of digital tools from speakers with backgrounds in mental health, law enforcement and cybersecurity. They held a raffle throughout the night to encourage participation. The event helped parents and students have a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives and concerns while communicating online. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The Build Up and Belong program provided an excellent opportunity for engaging our students, parents, and community members in meaningful, interactive conversations about real-life digital dilemmas.”
Southwestern Elementary School PTA
Richmond, Va.
Southwestern Elementary School is a Title I school in rural Virginia. Many areas in their district just recently received high-speed internet access, which opened the door to a new digital world for their students. To help families have important conversations about online safety and good digital citizenship, the ϳԹused their grant from National ϳԹand Norton (part of GenTM) to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. The program is designed to help families open the lines of communication about online behavior and safety, which was especially important for the Southwestern school community since they had limited experience with online social media and gaming platforms. The ϳԹpartnered with school administrators, teachers, local businesses and the school district’s technology department for their program, which covered cyber safety and cyber responsibility. Parents heard their children’s perspective on online behavior as they worked through the provided program guide and had open conversations about healthy online habits. The Smart Talk helped families be aware that internet safety is more than just a strong password and has ultimately improved the digital welfare of the entire school community. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“I never thought about talking my kids through how things they encounter online might make them feel.”
Odyssey STEM Academy PTSA
Lakewood, Calif.
Odyssey STEM Academy PTSA in Lakewood, Calif., wanted to help their students stay safe and be responsible while online. They also wanted to help parents understand the technology teens use for social interplay, which connects them to digital communities and gives them a sense of belonging. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Discord, they brought parents and students together for a Build Up and Belong event. Using the provided program guide, parents and students worked through different scenarios that kids may face online. The lively and engaging discussions helped parents and students have a deeper understanding of each other’s perspectives and concerns. Parents learned about their child’s challenges in navigating the online world, and students learned about their parent’s safety fears. Parents and students bonded while learning that they have more in common about online safety than realized. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Reinforcing the importance of digital safety and internet courtesy will create a deeper trust between parents and our students beyond just our own school community.”
Boca Raton Elementary PTA
Boca Raton, Fla.
Many parents at Boca Raton Elementary School in Boca Raton, Fla., were unsure what to do when their kids began asking for cell phones, especially when some kids in the school already had their own phones. To help families make smart choices about their kids entering the digital world, the ϳԹused their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event, where parents tackled the question “When is the right time to give my child a phone?” The presentation provided by National ϳԹcovered some of the myths about cell phone use, and parents shared their concerns about giving their child a cell phone at such a young age. The tips provided during the event helped guide parents on phone readiness, with families taking AT&T’s PhoneReady Quiz, created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to inform their own decision-making. The information presented also helped parents understand the importance of creating and sticking to rules around smart phone use. #ReadyTechGo #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The tips were great for giving our parents guidance on phone readiness and creating and sticking to rules around smart phone use.”
Pleasant Hill Elementary PTA
Palatine, Ill.
The Pleasant Hill Elementary School ϳԹin Palatine, Ill., wanted to find ways to help their school community build healthy online habits. They used their grant money from National PTA, Google and YouTube to host a Be Internet Awesome week, which was filled with activities and events that introduced online safety and taught students how to be good digital citizens. Using the provided resources from National PTA’s Be Internet Awesome program, they held a student assembly where school leaders talked about online safety. They then hosted an evening event for parents to talk about creating a safe digital environment at home. They invited a local police officer to join that discussion, who shared ways to keep kids safe online. The program included childcare to encourage more families to participate. They also partnered with teachers to hold daily lessons throughout the week highlighting a different Be Internet Awesome theme: Be Smart, Be Alert, Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Brave. For a hands-on learning experience, the school’s librarian led a “buddy to buddy” class, where the older students helped younger students with different program activities. Their week included an activity where families could create a digital poster with their favorite Be Internet Awesome theme at home. Participants added their poster art to the morning announcements reel for the entire school to enjoy. The ϳԹreports that their Be Internet Awesome week had a lasting impact on the Pleasant Hill Elementary community! #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“As a parent, keeping my children safe is of course top of mind. But there are so many hidden threats via the internet and social media. The Be Internet Awesome initiative for kids and parents was extremely helpful to ensure we're thinking about and talking about these things.”
Booker T. Washington STEM Academy PTA
Champaign, Ill.
Some of the most challenging parenting decisions relate to technology use. To help families make smart choices about their kids entering the digital world, the ϳԹat Booker T. Washington STEM Academy in Champaign, Ill., used their grant from National ϳԹsupported by AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event, where parents tackled the question “When is the right time to give my child a phone?” Over 200 people attended their event, which included a barbeque dinner, carnival-style games and a brass-tacks conversation about screen readiness. Parents tried AT&T’s PhoneReady Quiz, created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to inform their own decision-making. Spoiler: It’s about much more than age! #ReadyTechGo #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The event felt really nonjudgmental and open for people to explore.”
Hembree Springs Elementary PTA
Roswell, Ga.
Hembree Springs Elementary ϳԹPresident Sara Fuchs said that parents in her Roswell, Ga., school “all have the same questions about how to keep our kids safe [online] and how to limit screen time.” That’s why the ϳԹused their grant from National ϳԹand AT&T to host Ready, Tech, Go!, an event designed to help navigate parenting the digital world. Over 200 community members came out for the event, where participants enjoyed dinner together while discussing how to set expectations around student technology use, manage screen time and keep kids safe online. Parents also took the Phone Ready quiz, a tool created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to see if their student is ready for the responsibility of having a phone. Parents shared tips and tricks they’ve learned for setting boundaries and expectations at home. The event was all about empowering families and building a shared community. #ReadyTechGo #HowWeϳԹ#ATTimpact
In their own words:
“We all have the same questions about how to keep our kids safe and how to limit screen time. This program brought us all together to talk about these issues.”
Forest Ridge Elementary PTA
Laurel, Md.
Parenting in the digital age can be challenging. Many parents struggle with screen time or knowing when their child is ready for a phone. To help their parents work through these important issues, Forest Ridge Elementary ϳԹin Laurel, Md., used their grant from National ϳԹand AT&T to host a Ready, Tech, Go! event. Using the program guide, participants discussed setting expectations around student technology use, managing screen time, and keeping kids safe online. They also took the Phone Ready quiz to explore if their student is ready for the responsibility of having a phone. Over 200 people attended the event. The conversation was lively, and many parents shared tips and other resources. The event was a huge success, equipping parents with information and giving them the confidence to make the best decisions for their kids.
In their own words:
“Technology is part of parenting nowadays. Just because we're not perfect at it doesn't mean that we need to be intimidated to talk to our kids.”
Northbrook High School PTA
Houston, Texas
Northbrook High School ϳԹserves a Title I school in Houston, Texas. To bring families together to have meaningful and realistic conversations about online behavior and safety, they used their grant from National ϳԹand Discord to host a Build Up and Belong event. Using the provided program guide, families discussed different digital scenarios and dilemmas that many teens face when they are online. The program helped parents have conversations with their kids about their online interactions. Participants also explored how technology can be used as another communication tool to connect parents and teens and build positive relationships. To ensure everyone in their diverse school community could participate, all of the program materials were provided in both English and Spanish. The event was well received and a fun and interactive way to make a positive impact across the school community. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This presentation really helped me be more open minded when going on social media. I will share this information that I learned with my other friends, so they are more aware of how they behave and interact on social media.”
PL Prep Elementary School PTA
Dallas, Texas
The ϳԹat Personalized Learning Preparatory (PL Prep) Elementary School, a Title I school in Dallas, Texas, knew that their student population was into online gaming. To help them stay safe while playing games online, they used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton (part of GenTM) to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program focused on digital safety in video games. They partnered with a local coding business, who joined their event to share user guidelines for some popular online games. During the event, parents learned practical tips on how to help their children create and maintain a healthy profile on gaming platforms. Parents also explored their own digital media use and the effect overuse can have on communicating with their families. Event materials were distributed in both English and Spanish to support their high Spanish-speaking population. To drive attendance, they served dinner and had door prizes, including a Lenovo Chromebook. They had positive feedback on their event, and plan to implement a Smart Talk at-home program to reach more families. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This program was great. It gave us a lot to think about with our kids. I wasn't aware my kids thought I spent too much time on my devices. This started a conversation between us.”
Enloe High School PTSA
Raleigh, N.C.
Enloe High School PTSA in Raleigh, N.C., wanted to find ways to help their students make good choices online while also providing parents with resources to encourage online safety at home. They used their grant from National ϳԹand Discord to bring parents and students together for a Build Up and Belong event. Using the provided program guide, they discussed online privacy and safety issues and shared how to check security settings for different online platforms including Discord. They also invited a speaker from the North Carolina attorney general's office, who shared insights about internet safety. Students and families were given the opportunity to ask questions throughout the event. They also role played possible online encounters to help students know how to respond to different situations. To encourage families to attend, they provided food and gave away spirit wear as door prizes. The event was well-received and offered an atmosphere where parents and students could share their experiences and online safety concerns. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The program was well-received and provided an atmosphere where parents and students could share experiences and concerns regarding internet safety.”
Heritage Elementary PTA
Grapevine, Texas
Heritage Elementary School ϳԹin Grapevine, Texas, knew their students spent time online and wanted to find ways to help their school community build healthy online habits. They used their grant money from National PTA, Google and YouTube to host a Be Internet Awesome event, which is designed to teach children how to be good digital citizens. The event was a big hit, with over 250 people attending. Using the provided program materials, families learned how to safely navigate the online world, and students learned how to be internet smart, alert, strong, kind and brave. Parents and school administrators found so much value in the event that they asked that it be repeated. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Many parents discovered at least one new tool or resource that will help them be more prepared to help their kids develop good online habits.”
Thomas Sharp Elementary PTA
San Antonio, Texas
The ϳԹat Thomas Sharp Elementary School, a Title I school serving 178 students in Collingswood, N.J., wanted to help parents have meaningful conversations with their students about online safety. They used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton (part of GenTM) to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. The program helps families open the lines of communication about online behavior and safety. They held their event in the evening so more families could attend and provided dinner and door prizes. Parents heard their children’s perspective on online behavior as they worked through the provided program guide. Feedback from parents was very positive, with one parent describing the event as “eye popping.” For many parents, this was their first ϳԹevent, and they joined ϳԹthat night. Due to the program’s success, the ϳԹplans to hold The Smart Talk program every year. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“After attending this program, I believe my children will be more comfortable coming to me about what is going on online.”
Canyons Transition Academy PTSA
Sandy, Utah
Canyons Transition Academy in Sandy, Utah, helps older special needs students with vocational and social-skills training. The PTSA knew that many of their students used TikTok and other social media platforms, and they were concerned about the interactions they could be having online. To help their school community, the PTSA used their grant from National ϳԹand TikTok to host a Create with Kindness event. They customized the provided program materials to fit their students’ unique needs. They invited parents and caregivers to the event, which was hosted over lunch. The event included information on how to have safe interactions online and how to be good digital citizens. Students also learned how to use the privacy features on social media to help keep them safe. To ensure understanding, the ϳԹprovided handouts of the scenarios presented along with links to additional National ϳԹresources. Both the students and their families learned about the impact their decisions and behavior on social media have on themselves and their community. They had such a good response that the PTSA plans to host the event every year. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The families and caregivers were very excited about this program. We are planning on doing it again next year.”
Cazenovia High School PTSA
Cazenovia, N.Y.
The Cazenovia High School PTSA in Cazenovia, N.Y., knew that many of their students were into online gaming and were using gaming social media platforms to meet friends and have conversations that went well beyond playing video games. Communicating online is different than communicating in the hallways at school though, so they wanted to bring parents and teens together to explore social media as a communication and relationship tool. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Discord, they hosted a Build Up and Belong program to help their school community create positive online experiences, especially around online gaming. Using the provided program guide, they discussed privacy and safety issues on digital platforms. They also worked through different online scenarios to learn how to navigate tricky situations. These scenarios were thought provoking and helped parents and students see online interactions from different perspectives. The PTSA also invited a local university professor and the school psychologist to talk about the psychology behind social media during the event. The program opened the lines of communication and will help students turn social media into a positive place of belonging. The program was so successful that the PTSA plans on having one every year to help their students have positive interactions in the digital world. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“At our Build Up and Belong workshop, students felt safe talking about situations that have happened to them on social media and gained confidence to navigate tricky online situations.”
Ben Franklin Elementary School PTA
Moline, Ill.
The Ben Franklin Elementary ϳԹin Moline, Ill., understood that even elementary school students spend a great deal of time online. To help their school community build healthy digital habits, they used their grant money from National ϳԹand Google to host a Be Internet Awesome program. The event is designed to teach children how to be good digital citizens and to help families navigate the online world. Using the provided planning guide, the ϳԹhosted a “Let’s Taco-bout Internet Safety” event at the school, offering a free taco dinner to attendees. Families learned about what students are exposed to online and how to reduce the risk of cyberbullying. During the event, the ϳԹfacilitated conversations on what it means to be internet smart, alert, strong, kind and brave. The event was so successful that many families asked the ϳԹto host it again so they could stay on top of things to watch out for when their kids are online. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Families have busy schedules, so sitting and talking about important stuff sometimes gets pushed aside. Our Taco-bout It Internet Safety Night gave parents that space and time to really connect with their kids about important issues.”
Carnegie Elementary PTA
Carnegie, Pa.
The ϳԹat Carnegie Elementary, a Title 1 school in Carnegie, Pa., wanted to help their students stay safe online. To encourage parents to have meaningful conversations with their children about internet safety, they used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. The program helps open the lines of communication so families can talk about online behavior and safety. To support their diverse community, they translated the materials into multiple languages and hired an Arabic translator to support their efforts. The school’s IT specialist helped parents and students identify common threats during the event and explained how to have safe online interactions. Participants were encouraged to continue having internet safety conversations at home. This event gave students and their families the tools and resources to make better digital decisions. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This was a much-needed program in our school. Many parents expressed that they had no idea those frightening apps even existed. We are grateful to bring some online safety knowledge to our school's population.”
Valleyview Elementary PTA
Lakeland, Fla.
The students at Valleyview Elementary in Lakeland, Florida, had received iPads to support the school’s learning activities, and for many, this was their first time using a connected device. To help students and their families understand how to stay safe online, the Valleyview ϳԹused its grant from National ϳԹand Google to host two Be Internet Awesome programs. Over 150 students attended the programs, which taught them how to be good digital citizens. The program also taught families how to navigate the online world safely. Using the provided planning guide, the ϳԹhelped students and their families understand what it means to be internet smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave. The events were fun and educational, and families were given resources to continue the conversation about the importance of safe online practices. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This was an ‘internet awesome’ program that benefited our students greatly!”
Mooneyham Elementary PTA
McKinney, Texas
The Mooneyham Elementary ϳԹin McKinney, Texas, understood that even elementary school students spend a great deal of time online. To help their school community build healthy digital habits, they used their grant money from National ϳԹand Google to host a Be Internet Awesome program. The event is designed to teach children how to be good digital citizens and to help families navigate the online world. Using the provided planning guide, the ϳԹhelped attendees understand what it means to be internet smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave. The ϳԹcollaborated with the school’s digital learning coach and librarian, who shared information about digital citizenship programs for students. The ϳԹplans to continue the conversation by hosting coffee chats with teachers to encourage them to reinforce the characteristics of a good online citizen in the classroom. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The tools provided to help families start the conversation at home and keep their children safe, kind and alert online were wonderful.”
Bartram Springs Elementary School
Jacksonville, Fla.
Children today are growing up in the digital age and have easy access to a world outside of their community through the internet. The Bartram Springs Elementary School ϳԹin Jacksonville, Fla., wanted to help their students and families stay safe online. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Norton, they hosted a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program, which opens the lines of communication to help adults and kids have important conversations about online safety. To help working parents, they hosted a virtual event. They connected with other PTAs that had hosted Smart Talk programs for tips and guidance, and utilized the program's PowerPoint presentation, flyers, agenda and The Talk before the Talk family worksheets to ensure success. They also sent participants bags that included treats and informative materials before the event. To be more inclusive of their entire school community, their materials were translated into Spanish. Their event included a panel discussion with a local doctor and an IT professional, who offered additional insights to help parents make smart decisions about online activity. Through this program, families are equipped to make better digital decisions. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Our families needed to know how to be digitally safe online. With The Smart Talk program, together as a family they can devise an online safety plan.”
Trabuco Hills High PTSA
Mission Viejo, Calif.
The parents at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo, Calif., had deep concerns about how to protect their students when they used social media platforms like Tik Tok. They didn’t have much experience with how to teach their students to be good digital citizens. To help their school community, the PTSA used their grant from National ϳԹand TikTok to host a Create with Kindness event, which included a student panel discussion. The panel shared their online experiences, including cyberbullying, safely growing a Tik Tok follower base, and handling inappropriate private messages received on social media. The event included how to use the privacy features on social media to help keep students safe. Both students and families learned about the impact their decisions and behavior on social media have on themselves and their school community. They had such a good response that the PTSA planned follow-up events to give students a forum to talk about the issues they face online. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This event was a great way to educate our entire school community about being good digital citizens.”
Howard Bishop Middle School PTSA
Gainsville, Fla.
The principal at Howard Bishop Middle School in Gainesville, Fla., asked the PTSA to help build a stronger community at the school and strengthen parent engagement. The PTSA took up the challenge! Using their Norton LifeLock grant, they hosted an in-person family engagement night featuring the ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. Smart Talk helps kids and adults have important conversations about being safe online. They called on school administrators, teachers, and the school counselor talk about what they are seeing at school with social media that parents might not be seeing at home. They also led break-out groups during the event, with families rotating through the different groups and answering prompt questions to open the lines of communication about staying safe online. The event was a huge success and offered a thought-provoking experience that helped families have really important conversations in a safe, collaborative environment. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This was a great start to an important conversation about family values and expectations. Parents don't always know what is happening and through programs like this, we are educating them and raising awareness about how their kids are using technology.”
Andrus Elementary School PTA
Boise, Idaho
When the principal at Andrus Elementary School in Boise, Idaho, observed that many students were using devices at the bus stop that didn’t appear to have safety filters for accessing appropriate content, she asked the ϳԹfor help. The ϳԹwas already thinking about online safety programs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While students, teachers, family members and groups were able to connect virtually during the pandemic, this also carried risks that many parents weren’t aware of, especially to vulnerable young children. They decided to use their grant from National ϳԹand Norton to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. Smart Talk helps kids and adults have important conversations about being safe online. Families came together for an engaging, informative evening where they talked about online safety and how to set rules and filters for young children. Through this program, families are equipped to make better digital decisions now and as their kids move on to middle and high school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The best part was seeing families talk about their values and how they would implement rules to reflect those values.”
Oak Crest Intermediate PTA
San Antonio, Texas
The ϳԹat Oak Crest Intermediate School in San Antonio, Texas, recognized that more of their students were gaining access to electronic devices at an earlier age. They also knew that most kids didn’t have the maturity to manage what was safe and appropriate on the internet. Because they live in an area where child trafficking is a serious problem, they decided to take action to keep kids safe online. They used their grant from National ϳԹand Norton LifeLock to host a ϳԹConnected Smart Talk program. The Smart Talk helps kids and adults have important conversations about online activity. The ϳԹbrought parents and students together and shared many different online scenarios that could lead to trouble. Parents learned about different apps and security safeguards to monitor and limit their child's activity. Students learned how to maturely navigate all forms of social interactions on the internet, and to be responsible with when online. Families that had older and younger siblings also discovered what to watch out for kids of all ages, and how to have important conversations about online activity with all of their children to keep them safe online. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This program brought to light how much our children are exposed to that we may not even be aware of.”
Miami Sunset Senior High PTSA
Miami, Fla.
When the Miami Sunset Senior High School in Miami, Fla., experienced several negative incidents tied to social media, the PTSA met with school administrators and several student members to discuss what they could to do combat cyber bullying and educate students on the importance of good digital citizenship. The student members had some amazing ideas! Using their grant from National ϳԹand TikTok, the PTSA students partnered with a local non-profit to create Heroes of Miami, a group that held information sessions for parents, students and the community on the dangers of cyberbullying and the responsibilities of being a good digital citizen, including denouncing hate speech and how to combat trolling. The group took their information sessions on the road, visiting local middle schools to share this important information. The sessions not only educated students on how to be responsible online, they brought the school community together and bolstered school spirit, because being good digital citizen is everyone’s responsibility! #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Every one of our students has been impacted by social media. This program provided parents, teachers and students with knowledge that can be used to create a safer online community.”
South Lake Middle School PTSA
Irvine, Calif.
With their students spending more time online due to the pandemic, the families at South Lake Middle School, a Title 1 school in Irvine, California, were finding it difficult to limit their children’s use of the internet and ensure healthy digital behaviors. Many also lacked the understanding to implement safety features on their kids’ devices. When the PTSA surveyed the parents to learn their main concerns, the response was overwhelming – they wanted to learn more about internet safety. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Norton, they brought in one of the nation’s leading law enforcement educators on cyber safety speak to the students at an assembly about safe social media use, internet etiquette, and how to stay safe online. The speaker also met with parents for an evening presentation and a lively Q&A session. The program helped open the conversation between parents and students about online safety and the implications of bad online behavior and gave families real solutions to safely navigate this new digital world. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“This was probably the most important assembly that our PTSA was able to provide for our community.”