Good Afternoon,

See info below on some current news concerning apps and technology.

Paul

Watch our Swatting video and learn how to talk with your kids about this issue.

What is “swatting”?

• There’s a phenomenon in social media/online games called “Swatting.” It’s when someone makes a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address
• Due to wasted resources and emergency services, swatting is described as terrorism
• Swatting is triggered by someone falsely claiming a serious emergency to emergency dispatch (such as bomb threats, murder, and hostage situations) with the goal of having a SWAT team deployed to a specific location
• Read the whole blog here.

Why should students care?

• Making false reports to emergency services is a criminal offense in many countries and is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment
• Not only is “swatting” a criminal offense but it can also be deadly. Performing these activities can have a serious effect on you and your families lives

Swatting in the News

Calling for a SWAT team unnecessarily can be expensive, dangerous, and deadly. –CBS

Swattings can cause serious disruption and property damage. –New York Times

[Swatting] isn’t just a prank gone awry but something that is really despicable behavior and diverts some of our nation’s most important first responder assets away from serious crimes. –NPR

What can parents do?

• Teach your children to call emergency services only if there is a legitimate emergency
• Consider explaining to your children the consequences of fabricating an emergency and alerting dispatch services
• Swatting is a common cyber bullying tactic used in online gaming communities
• If you suspect your child is being cyberbullied, remind them that they can always come to you or a trusted adult
• Consider joining Parent University to get videos you can watch WITH your children. These videos will start a healthy dialog that will keep them safe and smart online
• Request us to host a Digital Citizenship Program at your school.

Here are some of our latest social media safety blogs and podcasts you can share with parents:

What Is the Marco Polo App and Is It Safe?

The Marco Polo app is a video instant messaging app that encourages users to find their friends who already use the app by requesting access to the user’s phone contacts. Learn what you can do to keep your student safe if they have this app.

What is Swatting? A Guide for Parents

There’s a phenomenon in social media/online games called “Swatting.” It’s when someone makes a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch armed police officers to a particular address. Learn why swatting is dangerous and what you can do as a parent to keep your student safe.

The Negative Effects of Social Media for Teens

12,504 views over 30 days

RSPH and the Young Health Movement (YHM) have published a new report, #StatusOfMind, examining the positive and negative effects of social media on young people’s health. Learn how social media can negatively effect children’s ability to sleep, trigger anxiety, increase body image issues, and what you can do to help.

What is the Private Photo Calculator% App?

6,310 views over 30 days

The Private Photo Calculator% app allows students to hide photos and videos behind a calculator app What is the Calculator% App? The “Private Photo (Calculator%)” app is designed to help students hide photos and videos behind an innocent looking calculator app This application looks like a calculator but entering a passcode opens a private area […]

What Is the Look App? A Guide for Parents

5,576 views over 30 days

The Look app is a free messaging app that combines live video with text messaging. We made this app guide to inform parents, since some users have reported that it can be difficult to delete your Look account and that it’s easy for strangers to message you on the app.

Social Media Safety Webinar: Learn the 30 bad apps your student should never use

1,330 views over 30 days

See what students, parents and educators say about this presentation: Are you a parent who understands the negative effect social media apps can have on your child’s future?

Here our my latest social media safety podcast episodes:

#29 SWAT Team Prank on Social Media - SmartSocial.com Podcast with Josh Ochs

#28 Three Step Social Media Plan For Every Family - SmartSocial.com Podcast with Josh Ochs

#27 Parental Control Software Overview - Smart Social Podcast with Josh Ochs

#26 Instagram Vs Snapchat Age For Teens (From a Parent University Mom) - Smart Social Podcast with Josh Ochs

#25 Parent & Teen Anxiety Tips (with Producer of Angst The Movie) - SmartSocial.com Podcast with Josh Ochs

#24 Leadership tips from a college student - Johnathan Harrell - Smart Social Podcast with Josh Ochs

#23 Teen Instagram Branding Tips from An Instagram Expert Samantha Wormser - Smart Social Podcast with Josh Ochs

Parent Safety Resources

• Social Media Safety Webinar: Learn the 30 bad apps your student should never use
• Free College Prep Parent Webinar: The 7 social media networks to fix/protect your student’s Google results for college admissions
• Parent University – Learn the hidden parts of social media apps
• Popular App Guide for Parents and Teachers
• Light, Bright and Polite Book

Educator Safety Resources

• Free Educator Webinar: Learn how to promote digital citizenship at your school
• School Website Design – Help your school shine online and engage parents
• View All Of Our Programs
• Popular App Guide for Parents and Teachers
• Josh Ochs – Digital Citizenship Speaker
• Marketing Materials for Social Media Speech by Josh Ochs
• About Us
• Smart Social Podcast
• Contact the Smart Social Team

Copyright © 2018 Media Leaders / Smart Social, All rights reserved.
You're on this list because you opted into our email list at https://SmartSocial.com or you attended one of our social media safety events.

Our mailing address is:

Media Leaders / Smart Social

1223 Wilshire Blvd, STE 344

Santa Monica, CA 90403