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

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

Josh Ochs•smartsocial.com
Kids & Family
Parenting
News
Tech News
Health & Fitness
Mental Health
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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Episodes

"There are so many things you can do as a family together" with Kim Bekkedahl and Brian Graves

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com podcast, Josh Ochs talks with Kim Bekkedahl, the superintendent, and Brian Graves, the assistant superintendent of the Kuna School District in Idaho. The discussion covers various strategies for keeping students safe on social media, including effective ways to foster parent engagement, manage ...

May 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 611

Chicken Jockey Chaos & Minecraft Mayhem: The Viral Trend That's Disrupting Theaters Nationwide

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

May 07, 2025•3 min•Ep. 610

"Excessive screen time starts to rewire your brain for less balance in another area" with Superintendent Kirk Koennecke

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, host Josh Ochs interviews Kirk Koennecke, CEO and Superintendent of Indian Hill Exempted Village School District. They discuss strategies for reducing excessive screen time among students, its impact on mental and physical health, and the importance of alternative activities. They also...

May 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 609

"We are seeing a lot of kids interacting with AI in some very unhealthy ways" with Dr John Federline

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com podcast, we interview Dr. John Federline, Superintendent of Union Public Schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Federline discusses the critical role of parental involvement in student safety, the challenges posed by excessive screen time, AI interactions, and how districts can foster effective commun...

Apr 30, 2025•19 min•Ep. 608

"Video games can be one of the greatest teaching tools" with Skyler Scarlett

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, an entrepreneur with 15 years of experience discusses how video games can be effective teaching tools. Highlighting the benefits such as improved hand-eye coordination, communication skills, and emotional intelligence, he makes a case for the educational potential of gaming. The episod...

Apr 22, 2025•7 min•Ep. 607

Teens, Toy Guns & 911 Calls: Hidden Dangers of the Senior Assassin Trend

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Apr 18, 2025•3 min•Ep. 605

"I think it's the hardest time in history to be a student" with Superintendent James Gilbert

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, Josh Ochs interviews James Gilbert, the superintendent of schools in Mountain Home, Idaho. He discusses the challenges and strategies for keeping students safe from social media distractions, enhancing parent participation, addressing excessive screen time, and tackling chronic absente...

Apr 09, 2025•21 min•Ep. 604

Unboxing the Blind Box Craze

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Apr 04, 2025•4 min•Ep. 603

Protecting Kids From Inappropriate AI Photo Apps: What Parents Need to Know About Nudify Apps & More

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Mar 28, 2025•4 min•Ep. 602

"My advice to parents is to simply parent again. You are in control" -Superintendent Dr. Todd Fraley

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, we chat with Dr. Todd Fraley, Superintendent of Sedalia School District #200 in Missouri, about the importance of parent engagement in managing children's screen time and social media use. Superintendent Fraley shares valuable strategies for parents, such as the significance of balanci...

Mar 25, 2025•16 min•Ep. 601

Fentanyl, Predators & AI Chatbots: The Shocking Online Threats Facing Teens!

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Mar 24, 2025•8 min•Ep. 600

"When we can build those networks, that helps kids feel more comfortable" with Greg Wolcott

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, Josh Ochs interviews Greg Wolcott, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Woodridge School District 68. Together, they explore strategies to keep students safe on social media, focusing on building strong networks both inside and outside of school. They discuss common ch...

Mar 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 599

"We don't put enough emphasis as a society on face-to-face interactions" with Dr Dawn Bartz

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 In this informative episode of the SmartSocial Podcast, Josh Ochs interviews Dr. Dawn Bartz, the Superintendent of Smithfield Public Schools in Rhode Island. They discuss the challenges of managing screen time and social media use among students, the importance of face-to-face interactions, and strategies schools and parents can use...

Mar 10, 2025•18 min•Ep. 598

"It's our duty to make sure we're giving them sound advice" with Superintendent Dr.Frederick Souza

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com podcast, Dr. Frederick Souza, Assistant Superintendent of Dighton-Rehoboth in Massachusetts, shares his insights on how to keep students safe on social media. He discusses the importance of monitoring children's online interactions, implementing 'off and away' cell phone policies in schools, an...

Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 597

Josh Talk: Financial Sextortion: What Parents Need to Know

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Feb 26, 2025•9 min•Ep. 595

"Kids are handed a phone & parents don't understand how dangerous that can be" Dr. Keith Perrigan

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 Join SmartSocial.com as we dive into the critical topic of student safety on social media. In this episode, School Superintendent Dr. Keith Perrigan discusses the implementation of a cell phone-free policy in Washington County, Virginia, and its positive impacts on student engagement, behavior, and social interactions. Learn about t...

Feb 26, 2025•19 min•Ep. 594

"Inspect what it is our kids are involved in." with Dr Michael Cardona

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com Podcast, Dr. Michael A. Cardona, Superintendent of Schools for San Marcos CISD, shares valuable insights on how to keep kids safe on social media. The discussion emphasizes the importance of parental involvement, open communication with school systems, and strategies to tackle issues like digit...

Feb 25, 2025•21 min•Ep. 593

Josh Talk: Red Note, Challenges, and AI Companions

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Feb 17, 2025•6 min•Ep. 592

"We are more aware of how social media impacts the social emotional aspect of young people" with Dr. Toni Jones

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 In this episode of the SmartSocial.com podcast, host Andrea Allen speaks with Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut. They discuss the evolution of social media's impact on young people, the district's strategic planning, and effective ways to engage parents. Dr. Jones highlights the district's acc...

Sep 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 591

"The more we can involve their children, the more parents want to come" with David Feliciano and Deann Ragsdale

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Sep 24, 2024•21 min•Ep. 590

"You're going to be leaving high school, your digital footprint matters" with Yolanda Valdez

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Sep 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 589

"The cell phone isn't the problem" with Mark D. Benigni, Ed.D. and Barbara Haeffner

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Sep 04, 2024•20 min•Ep. 588

"If we know bad people hurt kids, we keep them out of our schools" with Superintendent Bill Dolezal

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Aug 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 587

"What's the outcome you're looking for?" with Superintendent Dr. Michael Portas

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Aug 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 586

"We have a large responsibility to find out what works" with Superintendent Dana Addis

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Aug 09, 2024•19 min•Ep. 585

"If you give them the why, they come around" with Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Alvarez

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Aug 07, 2024•17 min•Ep. 584

"Removing cell phones has allowed them some freedom" with Superintendent Dr. Melvin J. Brown

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Aug 01, 2024•22 min•Ep. 583

Pinterest App Guide (PREVIEW)

To access the full Pinterest Guide for Parents: https://smartsocial.com/post/pinterest To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation with Lisa: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://s...

Jul 30, 2024•2 min•Ep. 582

"Our high schools have student section social media accounts" with Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Jul 15, 2024•17 min•Ep. 580

"We rely on that boomerang effect" with Superintendent Dr. Bob Nelson

To become a guest on the SmartSocial.com Podcast: https://smartsocial.com/contact To learn more about the SmartSocial.com Teen Life Coach program, visit our website and book a consultation: https://smartsocial.com/coaching#register Join our next live event: https://smartsocial.com/#live-events Join our free newsletter for parents and educators: https://smartsocial.com/newsletter/ Register for a free online Parent Night to learn the hidden safety features on popular apps: https://smartsocial.com/...

Jul 15, 2024•15 min•Ep. 579
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