Feb 11, 2020
There's a running list of things
I don't understand and one of them is the internet. The internet is
constantly changing. It goes deep and wide. Another thing I don't
understand is teenagers. We may just use the internet for the
things that we normally do like podcasts, shopping Facebook, and
the rest. But teenagers, what do they do on the internet? Do they
feel the same as we do and just use the internet for Amazon Prime
orders, social posts, and reading safe blogs?
I may not understand teens and I
may not understand the vastness of the internet, but I've come to
my senses when it comes to teens and the World Wide Web. We can't
bury our heads in the sand. That is why Christina Jontra is the
perfect guest for today’s show and today’s times. Christina has a
background in teaching and technology. When working in a school,
she noticed an alarming trend with kids internet use and being
preyed on by predators. YouTube, social media, and games with chat
are all tools that predators can use to patiently groom our
children for a disastrous meeting.
The internet is also permanent.
Most of us don’t have to worry about the dumb things we did as
teens or preteens following us around, but our kids do. There are
also dangers of accidentally stumbling on porn or graphic violence.
There are also issues with kids being bullied or feeling left out
of things that can impact their self esteem. This is why Christina
started Neptune Navigate. She educates parents, kids, and teens on
how to navigate in this digital age. We talk about when a kid
should get a mobile device, how to monitor kids usage, ways to
educate you and your teen, and how to find out more by asking
Christina questions.
Show Notes:
- [05:33] Christina was the
director of digital learning at Grace Community School in Tyler,
TX.
- [06:48] Her school had an iPad
program where each student got an iPad. Christina felt such
responsibility turning the kids loose on the internet. A young girl
was being harassed by a boy through the messaging app
Kik.
- [08:14] Kik only keeps 50
interactions. The boy in question wasn't doing it. Someone had
stolen his likeness.
- [09:56] Christina wanted the
email account attached to that boy's account. Kik a Canadian
company wouldn't share it.
- [10:32] Christina's husband
overhears some kids talking about pretending to be older than they
are on Kik.
- [11:00] They informed the kids'
parents.
- [13:09] Christina discovers how
patient sexual predators can be. A predator played games online
with a young girl for years before coming to her town and raping
her. The young woman spent her senior year of high school
testifying in three trials.
- [13:38] Christina began reading
and researching this. She spent hours researching and started
talking to parents about things they could do at home to help keep
their kids safe.
- [14:55] The young woman who was
raped decided to also talk to the parents.
- [15:44] Mobile devices can give
predators easy access to our kids.
- [16:50] After eight years,
Christina quit her job and decided to help educate parents and
children how to better navigate this digital
world.
- [17:27] They launched a year
ago as a research library. Now they are going to put everything out
for free. They also have a school program.
- [19:30] There is no magic
bullet or wall high enough to keep the bad stuff off.
- [21:11] Sit down with your kids
and look at the phone together. Look at the camera roll. Kids take
pictures of things they like.
- [21:50] See who your kids
follow on social media and who follows them. Ask who people are and
check your kids privacy settings.
- [22:17] When kids first get on
social media make their account private.
- [24:59] Put restrictions on
what your kids can install and monitor their texts.
- [26:42] YouTube exposes kids to
lots of danger.
- [28:00] Pedophiles hang out on
YouTube and find videos of kids doing things like
gymnastics.
- [30:24] Have kids work online
in the front room not only in their bedrooms.
- [31:50] Trafficked kids are
targeted through online activities and mobile
devices.
- [34:00] Texas now has a law
covering sextortion.
- [35:18] Maybe our kids are
screaming to be seen, and we should put the device down more often
and look them in the eye.
- [37:10] Digital citizenship is
how to use email and digital life correctly.
- [38:03] Social media remains,
even after we are gone. We need to talk to our kids about what they
do online.
- [42:41] If we could get an army
of mom's to report porn on Instagram it would be
effective.
- [43:58] You are more. The
number of likes does not matter. Look up from your
phone.
- [44:52] No devices in bedrooms.
Everyone charges devices in a safe place(mom's room). Every family
should have a technology curfew at 9:00 at night.
- [46:29] No phones until 8th
grade. Collect phones at sleepovers. Teach kids the party still
happens without pictures.
- [52:14] Christina loves carne
asada from Don Juan's.
- [53:31] When you work at home,
you've got to make that phone call to have and make new
friends.
- [54:11] Find out what Christina
and Leslie Jones have in common.
Thanks for joining us on
Ordinary People Ordinary Things. Be sure to
subscribe to our podcast on
iTunes and leave a nice
review. Just like your mother taught you.
Links and Resources: