Be Socially Smart Podcast

As a parent, you may be wondering, "What does it actually mean to be socially smart?" In today's episode, we're going to answer that question!

We believe being a socially smart parent means having the knowledge and tools that you need to help keep your kids safe online. Even if you don't have a ton of technical knowledge, becoming a socially smart parent doesn't have to be overwhelming! Listen as Caleb highlights 3 steps you can take right now to start your own Socially Smart journey with confidence.

Whether we like it or not, each of us (our kids included) have our very own digital footprint. This footprint or profile is a collection of what we've done and how we've portrayed ourselves in the online world. And they matter more than ever in today's digital age. Our kids' digital profiles affect how they are perceived by everyone from college admission reps to their future employers.

In today's episode, Caleb will discuss the importance of establishing a positive digital footprint. He'll also share some helpful pointers for parents and teens, including why starting early is the key. Don't miss this important episode, and we'd suggest having your kids listen in as well!

Every day, there are hundreds of new apps being added to the App and Google Play stores. That’s why here at Be Socially Smart, we strive to keep you up to date on the latest trending apps that parents need to know about.

In today’s episode, Jason and Caleb discuss 5 trending apps popular with teenagers right now, including Yubo, Instagram Stats, and more. Tune in to find out what these apps are all about, so you can make an educated decision on whether or not they’re right for your teens.

As parents, we carry a lot of weight and responsibility on our shoulders regarding how our kids will turn out. And the fact that we live our current digital age can make this feel even more difficult. So as a digital parent, where should we start? How can we be confident in the intentional parenting of our digital kids? What does it look like to practice digital parenting successfully?

In today’s podcast episode, Caleb shares 7 practical tips for intentional digital parenting that you can implement in your own home. We hope you find some of these tips helpful and applicable to bring an additional level of peace and trust among your family.

This is one of those hot topics that so many parents have asked about. How can parents monitor and keep up with what our kids are doing online?

Whether it’s your family computer, a child’s iPad or your teen’s cell phone, there are definitely some great social media monitoring tools currently available on the market. If you want to keep track of your family’s digital activity they’re definitely worth looking into.

Today on the podcast, Caleb gives an overview of the top social media monitoring applications and web-based programs that are currently available. While none of these tools can keep your kids 100% safe, you just might find a great option featured in this episode that will work for your family!

Be sure to tune in for this one! Today we sat down to interview the mom of 2 teenagers, Jason's wife Danya. As a mother and the owner of a digital marketing agency, Danya offers a unique perspective on all things teens and social media.

She'll share a bit about what she's learning working behind the scenes in the social media industry, and then provide some helpful tips on how to engage with our kids regarding technology. Many of these tips are specifically helpful as we go into the holiday season with our teens and social media usage becomes more prevalent. We hope that after listening to this episode, you come away with some helpful ideas you can implement with your own family.

For today's episode, we're doing something a little different! Let's take some time to go beyond the screen, and discuss how we can develop a relationship of trust with our kids with something called a "Circle of Safety".

As parents we obviously want our kids to know that they can talk to us about anything. But the reality is it's harder than we think, especially as they get older. In this episode, Caleb will share how a Circle of Safety can open up communication with our kids, and even help deepen our relationships. If you've struggled with getting your kids to look up from their screens and actually talk with you, you'll want to tune in for this one.

How do we set boundaries for our kids relating to their phones and social media? Have you recently found yourself asking this question? While many parents have tried implementing rules for how technology can be used, we've found that setting rules can actually lead to some unforeseen downsides.   In today's episode, we'll discuss why it's actually more beneficial to create a social media agreement with our kids. Rules are meant to be broken, but a social media agreement is two parties working together to set reasonable boundaries. Listen to this episode for thoughts on how to start the conversation and implement agreements with your own family.

Youtube is one of the most popular apps, with over 2 billion active users! When it comes to our kids, 85% of teens ages 13-17 say that they use YouTube, which makes the app #1 for teen social media usage.

For better or for worse, you can truly find everything on this video platform. Today we'll sit down to discuss all things YouTube, from suggested content settings to how to stay in tune with what your kids are watching.

Do you have a video gamer in your life?  If so, you probably know that kids these days don't just play video games, they're also watching other people play online. Video games have been around for a long time, but gaming apps have given them a whole new life, creating some additional concerns for parents.

In this episode, we'll discuss two popular gaming apps, Twitch, and Discord, and share what you need to know about how your kids are using them. Be sure to tune in for this one!