RCS promotes social media awareness

Aug. 14 Russellville City Schools is providing a chance for parents to become more social media aware – especially in areas where it applies to their children.

At 6:30 p.m. in the Russellville City Schools Auditorium, RCS and Shoals Sav-A-Life will be hosting a Parent Social Media Awareness Night.

“We noticed that there is a lot the parents don’t know, even about things that are illegal or dangerous,” said RHS Career Tech Director Natalie Bendall.

According to Ramona Robinson, curriculum coordinator for RCS, Randall Reding from Sav-A-Life will be delivering the presentation, in which parents will discover 10 apps every parent should know about; learn practical tips for improving their child’s online footprint; and find out more about current online trends and potential dangers, what to look for on a child’s online device and how to better monitor children’s online behavior.

“(RHS counselor) Alissa Moore told me about (Reding), and we set up a meeting with him and the counselors and assistant principals,” Robinson said.

Reding will give a 30-45-minute presentation for parents and guardians that will include a question-and-answer time with the attendees.

“I don’t think parents are clueless,” Robinson said, “but I don’t think they know the depth of the problem.”

The presentation is open for any parent or guardian to attend, even if they are not part of the RCS system.

At the event, each family represented will be able to enter into a drawing for a Disney Circle. The Circle is a device that connects to a person’s home Wi-Fi and allows them to manage the devices connected to that network.

“It allows parents to have parental control over their child’s phone and internet access,” Robinson said.

RCS also shares information on the district’s website about online safety, social media apps, cyber bullying and other related categories. Robinson said this is updated frequently because of the way technology is always changing.