Digital Drama Awareness Week in South Lake Tahoe: What should parents do?

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is focusing on youth cyber-bullying this week during "Digital Drama Awareness Week" April 12-16, 2021.

For the first day we highlighting the definition of Digital Drama and Cyber Bullying. (See Here) and then we looked at the victim and steps they should take if found in this situation. Day three was a focus on the bully and how to identify them, and today we are sharing support for parents.

"Parents, this is a crazy time to be trying to parent," said SLTPD. With COVID restrictions, your kids are spending more time online than ever. How are you supposed to look out for them, when you're busy too?"

1. Talk to your kids - The first line of defense for protecting your kids on the internet and in life, is making sure your kids know there is an open line of communication to you. If they come to you, without fear of judgement, they will be more likely to confide in you when they are struggling.

2. Make time For quality time
- Weekly or twice weekly meals together. Breakfast, lunch, dinner - whatever you can make happen.
- Take a walk/get outside together as a family.
- Raising tiny humans starts when they are tiny! Start these types of casual together time as early as possible.
- Kids notice less pressure and more people for support, the more likely they are to talk about what they are going through.
- Put aside devices/distractions.

3. Monitor Their Phones
- It's your phone, not theirs.
- Start this early. It shouldn't be a surprise to your kid that you are going through their phone.
- Make it regular, don't wait until there is a problem.
- Look out for secret or disappearing message apps like SnapChat, WhatsApp, etc.
- Check what your kids are sending and receiving.
- Remember that accounts can be fake. They can be made and managed by any person of any age.

4. Be Familiar With Social Media Platforms!
- Meet your kid where they are: Make your own social media accounts.
- Being familiar with the apps means you will know if there is something fishy going on when you check.
- Educate your child on what could be behind the keyboard. Remind them anyone can create an account.

5. Protect Young Minds.
- Increased screen time greatly affects the growth of young minds.
- Put phones away 30 minutes before bed, and ensure that everyone gets better sleep.
- This means you too parents! Set that example for the family. Sleep is very important for everyone's growth and mental health.

"Gone is the long cord of a house phone," said Nixon. "Now parents don’t know what the kids are doing on their phone - homework, Netflix, communicating with someone they’ve never met before. Could be someone down the street that says all the right things on line, could be a predator in a dark room."

If the device is a computer, keep it in a central area of the home.

Still not sure what to do? Contact the school counselor or South Lake Tahoe Police School Resource Officer Jason Nixon. You're not alone.

Some resources:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now
https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/safety/Digital-Safety/Parents-Can-Prevent-Cyberbullying
https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/safety/Digital-Safety/Parents-Can-Prevent-Cyberbullying

Soroptimists of Tahoe Sierra and South Tahoe Now teamed up with South Tahoe Middle School and SLTPD Campus Resource Officer Jason Nixon to hold a poster contest for students with the goal of highlighting Digital Drama among students and others their age. Each day this week one of those posters will be highlighted with the winning posters announced at the end of the month. The Soroptimists are awarding the winning poster creator $50, second place $25 and third prize $5 and SLTPD is giving the 4th place a $5 gift card.