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ASU Grad Creates Online Tool for Parents

The digital age is one that has left parents scrambling for answers regarding what websites or apps their children are using, how their children use things like social media in their everyday lives, and how to protect their children while they are using these online social outlets. Needless to say, parents are confused and feeling a bit helpless.  To alleviate some of these daily parental struggles, Arizona State University graduate, Jessica Swarner, created a blog to help educate parents on what social media websites their children may be using.  The blog is called, “Parenting in the Digital Age”.

The blog is laid out in a simple and easy to navigate format, with tabs clearly labeled to assist busy parents with getting the information quickly and efficiently.  Swarner was inspired to create the blog following the murder of a Virginia teen in back in January of 2016, who was reportedly using a website called “KIK” where she met her killers.  When reading about the case, Swarner noted that she was shocked to find out just how little the teen’s parent knew about her online life.

“Parenting in the Digital Age” is meant primarily as an educational tool for parents who may feel out of touch with what today’s youth is using social media to stay connected with friends, classmates, and using it to meet new people.  The blog is regularly updated with the latest social media sites children are using, popular social media movements and happenings, and offers parents tips on how to move forward with online monitoring and keeping children safe.  Swarner hopes that her blog will help keep parents in the know when it comes to their children’s use of social media and prevent tragedies such as the one that occurred in Virginia.