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

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 talks with Heidi Brinkworth, Cybersecurity Program Leader, about how families can help kids understand that technology has consequences. Brinkworth explains why the information students post and share online can stay with them for years, and how scammers can use small pieces of a child’s digital footprint to create messages that feel personal, urgent, and believable. The conversation also covers real text scam examples, why kids should avoid replying to strangers, how AI can make scams more convincing, and why families may want simple safety plans like safe words. Brinkworth also shares what cybersecurity training has taught her about changing behavior, including why families need repetition, real-world examples, and safe ways to practice spotting phishing attempts. The episode closes with a reminder that students need critical thinking with AI, and that parents, schools, and technology leaders all play a role in helping kids stay safer 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™

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 talks with Dr. Curtis Finch, Superintendent of Deer Valley Unified School District, about screen time, AI, social media, and why families need to teach and model healthy technology habits as kids grow. Dr. Finch explains how excessive screen time and social media can affect student mental health, anxiety, self-image, and behavior, especially when apps are designed to keep kids engaged. The conversation also covers practical parent dialogue tips, including how adults can be honest about their own mistakes online and use real examples to help kids understand risk before they experience it themselves. Dr. Finch shares why AI is here to stay, how families and schools can help students use it wisely, and why guardrails around smartphones, social media, privacy, and screen time need to match a child’s age and maturity. The episode closes with reminders for parents and schools to work together, model the behavior they want to see, and keep teaching kids how to use digital tools safely and responsibly. 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™

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 talks with Ignacio Ruiz, Superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools, about screen time, AI, student wellbeing, and how families can help kids build healthier habits with technology. Ruiz explains why kids need opportunities to simply be kids, including time to play, have conversations, experience boredom, and build meaningful relationships without feeling like they have to be on all the time. The conversation also covers bullying, inappropriate filming, global screen time concerns, and why AI is already becoming part of the future students will enter. Ruiz shares how Las Cruces Public Schools is thinking about AI policy zones, responsible use, privacy, data protection, misinformation, bias, and real-world AI opportunities such as translation tools, assessment support, communication, and data analysis. The episode closes with practical ways parents, schools, and the community can work together through digital citizenship, device-free family time, healthy alternatives, and ongoing conversations about online safety. 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™

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 talks with MJ Foxley, Safety Strategy Leader at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and Brian Bautsch, Director of Safety Strategy at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., about distracted driving, teen safety, and the responsibility families can build before a child ever gets behind the wheel. Foxley and Bautsch explain why safety technology matters, but human behavior, decision-making, and early conversations are still essential for keeping young drivers safe. The conversation connects digital safety and driving safety, including how phones, notifications, and the pressure to respond right away can create serious risks on the road. They also share how parents can model safer habits, why Honda created Honda Safety Driven resources, and the four key safety talks families should have around distraction, impairment, seatbelts, and speeding. The episode closes with a reminder that safety is personal, and every decision behind the wheel can affect not just your child, but everyone around them. 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™

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 talks with Dr. Rick Surrency, Superintendent of Putnam County Schools, about screen time, social media, AI, and the role parents play in helping kids build healthier habits with technology. Dr. Surrency shares a real example of how excessive screen time can affect a young child’s sleep, attention, mental health, and ability to adjust to school, then explains why families need clear guardrails around devices, social media, and late-night screen use. The conversation also covers why kids need one-on-one interaction, why phone restrictions in schools can help students reconnect, and why “loud cafeterias” can actually be a good sign that students are talking again. Dr. Surrency also discusses why AI is here to stay, how it can support personalized learning, and why students need privacy protections, age-appropriate tools, critical thinking, and adult guidance. The episode closes with important warnings about sextortion, permanent digital consequences, and why parents, schools, and communities must work together 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™

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 talks with Dr. Melissa McCalla, Chief Technology Officer for Pasadena Independent School District, about AI, screen time, student wellbeing, and how schools and families can help teens use technology with purpose. Dr. McCalla explains how excessive screen time can affect sleep, face-to-face relationships, self-esteem, online behavior, and the fear of missing out, especially when phone use becomes compulsive.  The conversation also covers why AI is part of a larger conversation about innovation, and why students need critical thinking, collaboration, character, and digital literacy to use new tools responsibly. Dr. McCalla shares how AI can support personalized learning and teacher relationships when used with clear guardrails around safety, privacy, data agreements, academic integrity, and open communication. She also discusses how schools can partner with parents, bring teen voices into the conversation, and create digital wellbeing practices that help students stay 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™

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 talks with Dr. Shane Barnette, Superintendent of Cullman County Schools, about healthy phone habits, screen time, AI, gaming safety, and the role families and schools play in helping students make safer choices online. Dr. Barnette discusses how excessive screen time can affect student focus, behavior, and wellbeing, and why ongoing parent dialogue is one of the most important tools families can use.  The conversation also covers gaming safety conversations, why students need to understand AI, and how schools can set guardrails around data, privacy, and responsible use. Dr. Barnette also shares warning signs families should know about sextortion, along with a reminder that student safety works best when parents, schools, and the broader community bring back the village and work together on digital citizenship. 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™

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 talks with Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington, about tech overload, student focus, media literacy, and responsible AI use in schools. Reykdal explains how students are being shaped by constant digital content, algorithms, and business models designed to keep them watching, clicking, and engaging, and why families should not see this as a parenting failure. The conversation also covers how personal devices and social media have affected focus, reading, achievement, and student engagement, plus why media literacy and digital information literacy need to be part of every classroom. Reykdal shares why schools should teach students to verify what they see online, ask better questions, and use AI with a human at the beginning and end of the learning process. He also explains Washington’s approach to AI guidance for schools, including going slow, setting clear policies, and helping students become critical thinkers who know how to check what technology gives them. 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™

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 talks with Dr. Norman Sauce and Dr. Kermit Belcher about AI, screen time, student safety, and the guardrails families and schools need as technology becomes more powerful. They discuss how excessive screen time and social media can affect teen mental health, self-image, and behavior, including the role cyberbullying can play in how students see themselves. The conversation also explores why students need to learn AI instead of avoiding it, how schools can teach responsible use, and why privacy, vendor vetting, bias, and clear district policies matter. Dr. Sauce and Dr. Belcher also share why AI can be a helpful thought partner when used safely, but why the human in the middle remains essential for critical thinking, decision-making, and student success. 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™

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 talks with AAden Stern, Deputy Superintendent for Bronx High School Districts 8, 10, and 11, about screen time, AI, student attention, and why kids still need to build real skills before relying on powerful technology. Stern brings both an educator and parent perspective as he explains how phones, apps, games, and school-issued devices can create compulsion, distraction, and an attention crisis for students. The conversation also explores whether AI is truly essential for students right now, the risks of cognitive offloading, and why adults need to understand the tools before giving young people broad access. Stern uses the “autopilot” analogy to explain why students need the ability to think, troubleshoot, and problem-solve before they lean on AI shortcuts. They also discuss privacy, equity, brain atrophy, transparent AI use, and how schools and parents can work together by sharing clearer information about what students can access on school devices and how they are using technology. 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™

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 talks with David E. Reilly, Superintendent of Elk Grove Unified School District, about screen time, AI, student safety, and how parents can stay connected to what their children may be experiencing online. Reilly explains how social media can make adolescent mistakes feel more permanent, public, and overwhelming, and how hidden online stress can show up at home through irritability, withdrawal, or sudden changes in behavior. He also discusses why AI is unavoidable for today’s students, how it can work as a Socratic-style learning tool, and why schools must protect the productive struggle that helps students build real thinking skills. The conversation closes with practical reminders for families, including monitoring your child’s overall wellbeing, staying alert to mood and behavior changes, and using school and community resources 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™

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 talks with Dr. Kerrie Torres, Deputy Superintendent of Newport-Mesa Unified School District in Orange County, California, about AI, screen time, student safety, and the guardrails families need as technology becomes part of everyday learning. Dr. Torres explains how excessive screen time and social media can affect teen mental health, focus, anxiety, and feelings of disconnection, even when students appear more connected than ever. She also shares how parents can teach kids to use AI as a learning partner, not a replacement for their thinking, so students can refine their work without losing foundational skills. The conversation covers AI privacy concerns, why students should not rely on AI for major life or mental health decisions, how schools can create safer digital ecosystems, and practical dialogue tips parents can use to better understand what their child enjoys and worries about 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™

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 talks with Superintendent Rubén Aurelio of Vallejo City Unified School District in California’s Bay Area about helping students rebuild connection, use AI responsibly, and develop healthier habits with technology. Aurelio shares how post-COVID screen time affected student engagement, anxiety, loneliness, and the way young people compare themselves to curated online “highlights” instead of real life. He also explains why AI can be a powerful tool for students and educators when it supports human connection, not replaces it. They discuss what happens when AI gets things wrong, why families and schools need to teach students to verify information and gut check outputs, and how districts can protect student privacy while still preparing kids for an AI-driven future. The conversation also covers online stranger red flags, phone-free campus wins, attendance and engagement improvements, and leadership advice for districts making hard decisions 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™

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 talks with Dr. Thomas Toohey, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Special Services in Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey, about helping students build safer habits with screen time, social media, and AI. Dr. Toohey shares how his career in special education shapes the way he thinks about student support, then explains how excessive screen time can affect interpersonal skills, connection, and confidence during a critical stage of development. They also discuss the future of AI for students, including why AI should enhance thinking, writing, and planning rather than replace those skills. Listen for practical guidance on social media agreements, red flags when online strangers try to move conversations to another app, AI guardrails in the classroom, and why asking hard questions is what starts the dialogue families and schools need 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™

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 talks with Rory Gesch, Deputy Superintendent of Alvin Independent School District just south of Houston (serving about 30,000 students across nearly 40 campuses), about how AI and screen time are reshaping student well-being and learning. Rory explains why the nonstop pace of online life can outpace healthy child development, what schools can do to help families build safer habits, and how AI can be used to strengthen critical thinking by teaching students to evaluate sources and spot what is credible. They also cover practical guardrails like family check-ins, community safety training, and district “playbooks” for responding to emerging threats, including swatting-style hoaxes and groups like “Kitty Mafia” targeting schools. 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™