SmartSocial keeps kids Safe & Successful®
And gives every parent the tools to protect their child online
Is your child on these apps? Here's what every parent needs to know:
We know you can't keep up with your child 24/7. That's why our parent-to-parent app guides break down every major platform in under 3 minutes — the real risks, the hidden features, and exactly what to say to your kid tonight. No tech degree required.
Protect your family by taking our 1 minute quiz
This quiz will suggest tips to keep your kids safe and successful
Join thousands of families online each week — Online workshops that make online safety a conversation, not a crisis (and WIN cool prizes!)
Bring your kids, too! These events are designed to help start real conversations at home, so your family is safer and stronger. Join honest, practical conversations about the apps, screen time struggles, and online situations keeping families up at night.
Ver bajo demanda - Criando hijos en un mundo de videojuegos
En este evento en línea aprenderás por qué a los niños les gustan los videojuegos, sus beneficios, los riesgos a considerar y cómo mantener un uso seguro y equilibrado en casa.
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The Impact of Screen Time on Motivation, Health & Academics
(On Demand Workshop) Learn how screen time affects motivation, health and academics while gaining practical strategies to set limits and reconnect as a family.
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New apps. New dangers. New tactics. SmartSocial covers what's trending every week — So your family stays protected before problems start
You don't need to be a tech expert. A quick look at our weekly app guides — written by parents, for parents — is all it takes to stay one step ahead of what your child might encounter online.
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Can't make it live? Watch any past workshop in your own time, from any device
Bring your kids and watch together, anytime, day or night or on the weekend. Every replay on our site is packed with practical strategies and teen-tested conversation starters that make talking about online safety feel natural, not awkward. Pause it, rewind it, and get back to it whenever life slows down, it's always there, on your schedule.
Pros and Cons of Video Games
Discover the pros and cons of video games for kids. Learn how gaming can support learning and connection—plus tips for parents to manage screen time, safety, and balance.
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The Impact of Screen Time on Motivation, Health & Academics
Learn how excessive screen time may lower teen motivation and what parents can do to help. Explore expert tips, risks, and strategies for creating a healthier tech-life balance.
Shine Online: Positive Impact of Social Media & Screen Time
Help your teen use social media to build a positive digital footprint, strengthen future opportunities, and create an online presence that reflects their skills, values, and goals.
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Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations Online
Discover the hidden dangers of teens talking to strangers online, from emotional manipulation to exploitation. Learn how predators operate and how to keep your child safe with expert tips and conversation starters.
How to Optimize Parental Controls: Balancing Safety & Privacy for Families
Learn how to optimize parental controls to protect your kids online while respecting their privacy. Discover tips for balancing safety and trust in your family’s digital life.
Understanding Social Media’s Impact on Teens
Discover social media's emotional and behavioral impact on teens, the hidden risks they face, and practical tips for parents to promote safe and healthy online habits.
Snapchat & Instagram Teen Risks: Hidden Dangers of Disappearing Messages
Learn about the hidden dangers of disappearing messages, the popular apps with this feature, and dialogue starters
Combat Online Bullying: Supporting Positive Student Behaviors
Learn how cyberbullying impacts students, and what parents and educators can do to prevent it. Warning signs, safe responses, and practical ways to protect kids from online harm.
Thanks to your school district, just one click will unlock 450+ resources that could protect your child tonight
We publish new parent guides every week, covering the apps your kids are using, the dangers spreading right now, and the conversations every family needs to have. Each guide takes about three minutes to read. Unlocking your account takes five seconds. The information waiting on the other side is priceless.
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Our district partners help us turn worried parents into confident, connected families
Weekly online live workshops & prizes for the whole family
Teens sharing their real experiences and struggles online
Conversation starters to keep your family connected
What's already happening in most child's lives right now
9 hours of screen time/day
That's more time online than your child spends in school, every single day
Teens
9 out of 10 teens have already witnessed or experienced online bullying — most never told a parent
67% of teens already know exactly how to hide what they're doing online from you
43% of teens would behave differently online if they thought a parent was paying attention
A Complete Parent Engagement & Student Safety System — Done for You
SmartSocial is not a curriculum packet you file away. It's a living, community-wide safety program that your district can activate in weeks — not months.Here's what your district gets:
- 🎯 Weekly Live Parent Education Workshops
SmartSocial hosts live, online events every week — on TikTok dangers, screen time, video games, online predators, and more. Your district brands these events and sends them to your families. Parents show up. Kids come with them. The conversation happens at home because it happened with you first. - 📊 A Superintendent Dashboard That Makes You Look Good
Track how many parents attended, what topics they care about most, and how engaged your community is — all in real time. When your board asks "What are we doing for parent engagement?" you have the data to answer. - 🎙️ The #1 Superintendent Podcast
SmartSocial's podcast reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners and features superintendents from across the country. Being featured is free PR — you get to talk about what your district is doing to protect kids, and your community hears it. - 🎁 High-Energy Workshops With Real Giveaways
Our live events aren't boring webinars. We bring energy, practical tips, giveaways for parents and kids, and content families actually want to share. Parents thank you for hosting them. - 📱 450+ Guides, App Reviews, and Safety Resources
From TikTok to Roblox to online predator warning signs — your families get the most up-to-date library of digital safety content in K-12 education, in English and Spanish. - 🏫 Student Voices
SmartSocial isn't just for parents. We work with students directly — through internship programs, student panels, and age-appropriate content that meets kids where they are.
SmartSocial gives district leaders and superintendents something to celebrate
SmartSocial Protects Greenville County Schools
Request our Programs - Become a Member
We understand your struggles and can help your student create a positive online identity
Positive
Planning
Proactive
Created by Josh Ochs and his SmartSocial team— a team of parents passionate about helping students shine online while safeguarding their social media activities
Josh's techniques help students use their devices with a purpose, not just as a pastime. He gives students digital citizenship skills to impress future colleges and employers by creating a positive high school resume using their social media accounts so they can Shine Online™.
Parents and educators use our social media safety message each year
Resources and training guides for parents and students of all ages
Families across the country watch our videos at home & school each year
What Parents & Educators Say About SmartSocial
The SmartSocial programs teach adults the essentials of social media and how to work with students to stay safe online
Good info for any parent or educator who wants to keep kids safe and happy online. Keep up the good work!
Kristen J.
Parent of Teen
Thanks for the program. Tons of great info that can help me protect my kids.
Cindy T.
Parent of 5th & 9th Graders
Josh's presentation about social media was fantastic. It was such a thoughtful process. My students learned what they should and shouldn't be posting online.
Director of College Advising
This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.
Irene C.
Educator Webinar Attendee
You hear all of these things about what kids are doing online and it was great to understand the things that are hidden behind the scenes on these popular apps. We are definitely better off now. Thank you for the presentation.
Dad
Parent Webinar Attendee
I really love the emphasis on having a dialogue. This presentation gives parents the tools to be able to communicate with their children effectively about what matters most.
Catholic Sister
Educator Webinar Attendee
I'm a counselor and Josh's presentation was fabulous and very very informative.
Counselor
Educator Webinar Attendee
This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!
Sharon M.
Parent Webinar Attendee
I watched this presentation because I don't know anything about social media. Now I can teach my kids.
Mom
Parent Webinar Attendee