shapethesky

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Link on Facebook page. Everything in life is a balance. Our workload, diet, and checkbook. There has to be a healthy balance with kids and technology as well. Start slow with technology at any age. Set expectations and time limits. Outline what is appropriate and acceptable use and what is not. Have a conversation about technology and a healthy balance with your kids. Here is a technology contract that can help with that conversation and outline expectations.http://www.shapethesky.org/technology-contract/~Ryan. #shapethesky #parenting #contract #technologycontract #balance https://www.instagram.com/p/B8fW_c3gR9x/?igshid=dj90vt9xcs04

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Link on Facebook page. I'm very excited to see this initiative in PA. Hopefully we will see some action towards prevention and treatment for mental health in PA. Hopefully other states will follow this lead. ~Ryan. #shapethesky #mentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/p/B8fW1dqg4rD/?igshid=dv07aolo5lin

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Link on Facebook page. It's too easy to overlook our hard working teachers emotional health. They are leading our kiddos daily with minimal break times and planning periods. They are often the front line folks who see what are kids are struggling with first. Here are some good suggestions for how we can look at the system and take care of our teachers as they take care of our kids. ~Ryan. #shapethesky #teachers #teacherlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B8fWqeNAZNR/?igshid=188r9w51kz9jt

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Links on the Facebook page and website. This is a terrible story from our local area. My thoughts are with these families. I grew up with my parents knowing who I was "talking to" because they would answer the phone in the house. That is no longer the case. We must: 1-set expectations around who our kids "talk to" online, 2-monitor our kids on all of their devices and accounts. If you are willing to allow your kiddo to use Snapchat, you should have Snapchat and follow them as well. Setting expectations and open communication with your child is key. I was interviewed for this story and was glad to be able to provide some resources to the community. Please use the Technology Contract with setting expectations. http://www.shapethesky.org/technology-contract/ And use this App Guide to know some of the popular apps youth use. More will be added in the future. http://www.shapethesky.org/app-resource-guide/ ~Ryan #shapethesky #wpxi #shapchat #parenting #michelenewell #technologycontract (at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7JdjODAp4k/?igshid=dqctp078zpcz

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Local folks. I’ll be on WPXI tonight at 11 discussing kids, social media and safety. #shapethesky #wpxi #socialmediasafety #wisdom #parenting (at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7H5I8Bgxs_/?igshid=kw3umyfly55u

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#happynewyear #2020 #shapethesky (at United States of America) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w8lkTgbKY/?igshid=12lqeb5pdj31g

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Link on Facebook page. It was an honor to attend this event and be able to provide mental health resources to the Deer Lakes community. In the wake of such tragedy, hopefully red flag awareness and knowledge of resources help will save a life. If you or someone you know is struggling, here are some resources for you. The Crisis Text line: Text "Home" to 741741 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 A list of other resources: http://www.shapethesky.org/suicide-prevention/ ~Ryan #shapethesky #suicideprevention #suicide #deerlakes #kdka #deerlakes #deerlakeshighschool #all4one #allforone #allfor1 (at Frozen Pond Arena) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6s9ogRgOSY/?igshid=1wqzzolfwi04x

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Merry Christmas from all of us at Shape The Sky. #merrychristmas #shapethesky (at Planet Earth) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6f5011As0i/?igshid=1jyebbxfekwtw

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Link on Facebook page. For a Friday smile. ~Ryan #shapethesky #unfriend https://www.instagram.com/p/B5wh2mlgt8F/?igshid=17qx0m8v624s8

[shapethesky]

Link on Facebook page. I've been talking about random "chat roulette" type of apps and websites since I started my trainings in 2012. These types of apps and websites have changed and morphed over the years, but the function is basically the same: you are randomly connected with a "stranger" also using the app anywhere in the world. What has changed is the age of the kids using these apps. When I started doing my trainings around kids and technology in 2012, I was targeting the high school aged parents. Now I'm trying to get the elementary aged parents to my trainings. With younger children using these apps and websites, they will be exposed to unwanted sexual content, requests to expose themselves and individuals exposing themselves and doing other concerning acts. Make sure your kiddos is not using the apps outlined in this article.~Ryan. #shapethesky #parenting #randomchat https://www.instagram.com/p/B5qdPPUAg3n/?igshid=1nqk6kz9g26lb

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Link on Facebook page. Our kids learn from our example. Teach them about healthy relationships by showing them what a healthy relationship looks like. ~Ryan #shapethesky #parenting #daughter #daughters #dad #dads #father #fathers https://www.instagram.com/p/B5odkDrgaVD/?igshid=27k0qhg76con

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Link on Facebook page. This story is super scary folks. I've been hitting TikTok hard recently at my trainings. The exposure to adult content and the availability for grooming on this app is huge. Read this article and then use the App Resource Guide on the website to learn more about TikTok. http://www.shapethesky.org/app-resource-guide/ I would not recommend TikTok for anyone under 17 years old. Elementary school kids are using this app and are being exposed to content they are not ready to handle. ~Ryan. #shapethesky #tiktok #parenting https://www.instagram.com/p/B5odarDAb7m/?igshid=1te810jvi26fl

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Link on Facebook page. It's Christmas shopping time!! Looking for an iPhone-Free gift guide for your kiddo? Here it is. There are some cool ideas about phones designed to be internet-free as well on this list. ~Ryan. #shapethesky #parenting #iphonefree https://www.instagram.com/p/B5odT4gg8sx/?igshid=1mh3zwx37mgsw

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I want to thank #hillelacademy for having me present to their parents. I had some great ideas come from this group of motivated folks! #shapethesky #parenting (at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5eaO9Rg6ZU/?igshid=2614kjkb9or3

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Shape The Sky is thankful for all of your support over the years. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. #shapethesky #happythanksgivng https://www.instagram.com/p/B5aigx9g0hD/?igshid=1gk582yjkve1d

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What an awesome group of students at #kiskiarea #kaue #5thgrade and #6thgrade. They attended the #shapethesky #assembly on #digitalwisdom and #digitalresponsibility #thankyou Principal Swartzlander for helping to Create Responsible Kids on Smartphones #smartphone #socialmedia #snapchat👻 #instagram #snapchat #👻 https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LMBhegm2h/?igshid=3zooac15f7r9

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I’m looking forward to my presentation today at the PA School Counselors Association Conference 2019. School Counselors Rock!! #shapethesky #schoolcounselor #schoolcounselorsofinstagram #schoolcounseling #schoolcounselorlife #psca #psca2019 #pittsburgh #pittsburghsheraton #3rivers #threerivers #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #socialmedia #student #studentlife (at Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5I9npoAVmq/?igshid=1it7ek6vo5rcx