News Summary
Greenville County Schools introduces Smart Social, a free initiative to educate parents on online safety for their children through webinars and resources.
Greenville, South Carolina – Greenville County Schools has launched a new program called Smart Social, which focuses on educating parents about online safety for their children. This free resource aims to equip parents with the tools needed to build safer online habits and is particularly pertinent as children increasingly engage with technology.
The Smart Social initiative features a live video series consisting of weekly webinars that cover a wide range of topics related to online safety. With discussions on over 400 applications, these webinars address issues such as cyberbullying, artificial intelligence, social media, video games, and chat apps. The program addresses the growing concern among parents regarding the various online threats their children may encounter.
One parent, Paola Gutierrez, became aware of the importance of online safety when her son, Marco Bernaldez-Gutierrez, began interacting with strangers through a video game chat. Concerned about the risks, particularly after hearing about dangerous online challenges circulating on platforms like YouTube and social media, she decided to engage with the Smart Social program. Gutierrez attended the first webinar, which focused on artificial intelligence and its responsible usage.
The program is co-hosted by both parents and students, emphasizing collaborative learning in navigating the digital landscape. The founder of Smart Social, Josh Ochs, emphasized that online threats are evolving and now extend beyond traditional gaming environments to include various AI applications that have the potential to negatively influence children.
Rick Floyd, who oversees information security for Greenville County Schools, highlighted the necessity of educating parents about online safety. He noted that the ultimate goal of the Smart Social program is to empower parents to guide their children safely through the digital world, rather than to impose restrictions on their activities. In recognition of the diverse community in Greenville County, the program provides resources in multiple languages, ensuring that all parents can access valuable information. Those who miss the live sessions have the option to view recorded webinars at their convenience.
Gutierrez encourages parents to initiate conversations about online safety, recognizing that while the topic can be overwhelming, it is essential for ensuring children’s security. The program comes at a time when scrutiny over social media behavior has heightened, particularly following recent incidents involving the termination of individuals in Greenville County due to inappropriate social media posts. This reflects a broader concern regarding the impact of digital conduct among educators and government employees.
Amidst this conversation about online safety, the healthcare landscape in South Carolina is also expanding, with Prisma Health opening a new Sickle Cell Lifespan Center. This development underscores a commitment to specialized care within the broader context of community health initiatives. As Greenville County grapples with the challenges of online interactions, local authorities are addressing specific personnel matters related to social media conduct, further demonstrating the growing emphasis on responsible online behavior.
In summary, the Smart Social program by Greenville County Schools presents an essential resource for parents seeking to understand the complexities of online safety in today’s digital age. By providing structured guidance on a variety of relevant topics, the initiative aims to empower parents and students alike in navigating the challenges posed by modern technology.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Schools Launches Smart Social
- Greenville Online: Greenville County Employees Fired Over Social Media Posts
- Post and Courier: Clemson Professor’s AI Bots and Epstein Files
- WRDW: Prisma Health Launches New Sickle Cell Clinics
- KKTV: Teacher No Longer Employed After Controversial Statement
- Wikipedia: Online Safety
- Google Search: Online Safety for Children
- Google Scholar: Digital Parenting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cyberbullying
- Google News: Social Media Conduct
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
