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Ordinary People. Ordinary Things. with Melissa Radke

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:

• Podcast Web Page
• Facebook Page
• @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram
• @msmelissaradke on Twitter
• Sign Up for Insider Access
• Neptune Navigate
• Neptune Navigate on Facebook
• Christina Jontra on Instagram
• Your Online Life, Permanent as a Tattoo
• I Have a New Name - Hosanna Poetry