Parent Resources
Phone Safety
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The widespread use of smartphones helps users stay connected, but also raises privacy concerns. According to a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online “almost constantly’. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Teens may not believe or be able to foresee a situation in which the person they send an unsafe text to chooses to share that image with others. However, it does happen and the consequences can be academically, socially, and emotionally devastating. Click or tap here to learn more.
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To offer insight into how teens and young adults are faring online, Snap conducted research into Generation Z’s digital well-being. The study, which draws on more than four decades of subjective well-being research, was adapted for the online environment to produce a Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI), a measure of Gen Z’s online psychological well-being. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Parents can learn how to help their teen navigate Instagram with our Parent’s Guide that includes conversation starters, information about safety and well-being tools and features, glossary of terms and more. Tap or click here to learn more.
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VSCO (company website – Visual Supply Company) is a photo editing app that allows sharing to other apps like Instagram. Users create a profile and then can upload images for editing and organizing into categories like images, journals or collections. Tap or click here to learn more through Protect Young Eyes.
Alternative Technology Options for Students
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Families can manage when their kids can access the internet on their devices, as well as which sites they’re able to visit. Parents can set bedtimes and block access to a wide variety of websites — including streaming, gaming, and adult content, and more. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Parents today want to stay connected with their child by taking advantage of the latest in technology. However, the same tools that allow this to happen are also not made with a child in mind. Gabb strives to tailor innovative cellular technology exclusively for kids and their parents—keeping them connected and protected. Tap or click here to learn more.
Video Safety
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Use these discussion starters to talk about using social media safely with every age group. Tap or click here to learn more.
Internet Safety
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NetSmartz's resources for educators offer multiple ways to engage students, parents and communities in important lessons in digital citizenship and online safety. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Jointly developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), Faith and Safety gives simple, straightforward advice and tools on how to navigate this digital world with your family. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Online grooming can occur on virtually any major interactive platform, including online gaming and social media. Tap or click here to watch the video online stranger danger.
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Protect Young Eyes is a faith-based organization MACS partnered with in the Fall of 2023 to curate safer digital spaces. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Internet Monitoring Options
Media/App Safety
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Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading independent source for media recommendations and advice for families. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Protect Young Eyes
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Childhood 2.0 is required viewing for anyone who wants to better understand the world their children are navigating as they grow up in the digital age. Tap or click here to watch the documentary.
Video Game Safety
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Online games like Fortnite and Roblox can let you play with your friends and strangers from around the world. But playing with people online can also be risky. Click or tap here to learn more.
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Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading independent source for media recommendations and advice for families. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Playing video games is a popular activity people do in their free time. However, video games can have major effects on health. People debate whether these effects are good or bad. Video games can improve children’s learning, health, and social skills. Tap or click here to read more.
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While online gaming can provide quality social interaction, there's also a darker side. From cyber bullying to online predators to hidden costs, there are many concerns when it comes to playing video games online, especially for children. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Parent guide to parental controls on every digital device by Protect Young Eyes. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Alternative Video Game Options for Students
List of Christian Games - Article
- Turning device onto airplane mode in the home to block adds
- Video Games (Xbox, Wii, Playstation, Nintendo, Computer Games) that do not have any internet connection, and are based solely on a disc or download will help stop children from connecting with random people online
Cyberbullying Resources
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According to StopBullying.gov, Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen via text message and within apps, on social media, forums, and gaming sites. Tap or click here to learn more.
- Suggestions: Limiting time on social media apps
- Checking in with children frequently
- Look for signs of cyberbullying
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In today's connected world, your child is constantly surrounded by social media and smartphones. While you may be prepared to protect your child from the potential dangers that lurk online, children of all ages are vulnerable to bullying as they use the web. Tap or click here to learn more.
Student and Parent/Guardian Mental Health Resources
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Oakleaf Clinics has joined together with The Counseling Room, LLC to bring mental health services to MACS students and employees. Tap or click here to learn more.
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By providing services and resources based on the integration of faithful Catholic anthropology with sound psychological science to help people become who God created them to be. Tap or click here to learn more.
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A suicide attempt left 16-year-old varsity cheerleader, Emma Benoit, paralyzed, but propelled her on a mission to use her painful experience to help other young people find hope and stay alive. Tap or click here to learn more.
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Suicide Prevention Manual for Chippewa County. Tap or click here to learn more.
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The Love and Logic Institute provides practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children. Tap or click here to learn more.