The Better Behavior Show with Dr. Nicole Beurkens

Episode 53: Teaching The Importance of A Positive Online Presence To Kids and Teens

Mar 11, 2020

40:45

My guest this week is Josh Ochs, the founder and digital citizenship author of smartsocial.com. With a background in marketing at Disney and a love for all things technology, Josh Ochs combines both to help teens and tweens use social media as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. Josh travels the nation speaking to over 30,000 kids each year sharing with them tips they can use to create a positive online presence. Josh’s book: “Light, Bright and Polite for Teens” teaches kids of all ages that everything they post on social media will eventually be discovered by their parents, teachers, their school Principal and someday colleges and employers. He shows families and teenagers practical examples they can use to always keep it “Light, Bright and Polite” by posting photos of community volunteer projects that will help them shine online. Josh Ochs' other 5 books teach people and brands how to shine online.

In this episode, Josh and I discuss the importance of teaching kids and teens how to maintain a positive online presence. Josh shares with the audience his top tips on encouraging children to use social media for the better by instilling in them the knowledge of what their digital footprint looks online and how they can utilize it for future college and employment opportunities. Parents can help keep their children safe by opening up a dialogue about online profiles, tech use and implementing guidelines on technology in the household. To learn more about Josh Ochs click here.

Episode Timeline

Episode Intro … 00:00:30

Be Aware of Your Digital Footprint … 00:08:27

Setting Limits On Tech Use … 00:20:39

Tech Guidance Tips … 00:28:00

Why Flip Phones Are A Good Starting Point … 00:33:40

What Age To Begin Social Media … 00:35:00

Episode Wrap Up … 00:41:00

Episode Highlights

Setting Limits On Tech Use

Actively engage in dialogue with your children about their tech use
Actively engage in dialogue with parents in your child’s community of friends i.e. whose house they frequent etc.
Use the apps your children use
- Being in the know will open your eyes to the true awareness you need to have and help you create that communication with your children on the right topics

Tech Guidance Tips

When should my child have a cell phone?
- Smart Social suggests the following
- - 0-10: no phone, sometimes allowed to use yours to watch videos or use learning apps in your presence
  - 10-13: time for a flip phone for emergency use, text and sms only
  - 13: cell phone safety contract
  - 14: smartphone without social apps
  - 15: smartphone with social apps allowed but limited and monitored

Where to learn more about Josh Ochs...

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