Homewood Connected: Safeguarding Children from Digital Dangers
In today’s digital age, parents face the daunting task of guiding their children through the complexities of technology and social media. Understanding these challenges, Homewood City Schools has launched Homewood Connected, a program aimed at educating parents about potential risks and how to protect their children effectively.
Headed by Carissa Anthony, the program’s prevention and collaboration coordinator, Homewood Connected provides crucial insights into the dangers associated with social media and online gaming. The initiative highlights the importance of community support, assuring parents that they are not alone in navigating the digital world.
“It’s challenging to be the parent who restricts online gaming or delays giving a smartphone. Our goal is to empower parents with the understanding that they are not solitary in these decisions,” Anthony explains.
Homewood Connected evolved from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative, which focuses on youth development. The inspiration for tackling social media’s threats stemmed from conversations with middle and high school Peer Helpers, who expressed concerns about the negative impacts of social media on their peers.
Collaborators, including local law enforcement, pointed to growing issues like extortion and predatory activities targeting children through gaming chat features. This collaborative effort seeks to furnish parents with the tools necessary to safeguard their children, promoting an understanding of age-appropriate digital interactions.
Feedback from the community has been overwhelming positive, driven largely by a generation of parents who themselves grew up as pioneers in the digital landscape. Reflecting on their experiences, many elementary school parents express a proactive desire to shield their children from potential harm and are the key force behind this initiative.
Homewood Connected offers several resources to keep parents updated and involved. These include a monthly newsletter, implementation guides to formulate a technology strategy, and comprehensive guidelines for safe digital use tailored to the school system. Parents can also participate in community education sessions organized at the Homewood Board of Education, with virtual attendance options.
