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Sunday, February 16, 2025

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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

PTA urges parents, caregivers to participate in 'Safer Internet Day'

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Tuesday, February 6, 2024   

Most adults know it is dangerous to provide personal information online but children may not, and today's "Safer Internet Day" is meant to raise awareness.

Yvonne Johnson, president of the National Parent Teacher Association, said parents and caregivers should spend some time today helping kids and even other family members develop healthy digital habits. To that end, the National PTA is co-hosting, with ConnectSafely, a webinar for parents to jump-start a dialogue.

"We want families literally to have these conversations with their kids about what they're doing on the internet," Johnson outlined. "Around navigating screens with children and teens so you have a mutual understanding seeing what's important and what they're looking at."

The online presentation available starting today called "Smart Digital Parenting: Navigating Screens with Children and Teens." Johnson noted this spring, PTAs across the country will be hosting events for families around digital safety and technology readiness in their area.

She emphasized the PTA promotes the "three Ts": talk, try and teach, especially when it comes to the availability of apps to which children have access.

"What are kids' favorite apps? If you see there's a problem, you can talk together about it and make sure that they're not using it," Johnson suggested. "And then teaching your kids about security and privacy settings, that's probably one of the top things."

Johnson added while kids were online before COVID-19, time spent on screens increased over the course of the pandemic because, for many kids, it is all they had.

Disclosure: The National PTA contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, Health Issues, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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