Podcast
Smart Social Podcast: Keeping students safe so they can Shine Online
Hosted by Josh Ochs · EN
The Smart Social Team teaches parents, educators, and students how to stay safe on social media so they can Shine Online. We show you how to audit your Google results and use your social media accounts as a portfolio of positive accomplishments. We keep it tactical and practical with tips you can use to better understand how to navigate the digital world as a parent, student, and educator. Learn more at SmartSocial.com
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"Make sure that we do not lose the human aspect when talking about AI" -Dr. Dionel Waters
3d ago00:22:30Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Dionel Waters, Executive Director for IDEA Public Schools Dallas–Fort Worth, about why AI conversations with students have to stay grounded in real human connection. Dr. Waters breaks down the student struggles schools are seeing right now, including mental health concerns, attendance challenges tied to late-night screen time, and the way social feeds can shape body image and self-worth, especially for young girls. They also dig into the future of student AI use, including why districts cannot focus only on cheating, and why parents and educators need to understand how students are using AI for relational support when they feel lonely. Dr. Waters shares guardrails that prioritize privacy, transparency, and safety, while also protecting the “human aspect” students still need from trusted adults and real relationships. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"We have to make sure that we do not lose the human aspect when talking about AI" -Dr. Dionel Waters
3d ago00:22:30Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Dionel Waters, Executive Director for IDEA Public Schools Dallas–Fort Worth, about why AI conversations with students have to stay grounded in real human connection. Dr. Waters breaks down the student struggles schools are seeing right now, including mental health concerns, attendance challenges tied to late-night screen time, and the way social feeds can shape body image and self-worth, especially for young girls. They also dig into the future of student AI use, including why districts cannot focus only on cheating, and why parents and educators need to understand how students are using AI for relational support when they feel lonely. Dr. Waters shares guardrails that prioritize privacy, transparency, and safety, while also protecting the “human aspect” students still need from trusted adults and real relationships. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"The better we can prepare our students, the more successful they're going to adapt" - Dr. Adam Clark
1w ago00:24:41Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent of Mount Diablo Unified School District (29,000 students across 55 schools), about the mental health realities schools are facing and what families can do to stay aligned with campus support systems. Dr. Clark explains why sleep deprivation, chronic absenteeism, and nonstop social comparison can push stress to a breaking point, and why trusted adults at school often spot early warning signs before a situation becomes an emergency. They also dig into the future of AI in learning, including why students need clear guidance on appropriate use, source checking, and verification, plus what guardrails students themselves say they want. Dr. Clark shares how phone policies like Yondr pouches can reduce disruptions and incidents, and why ongoing parent involvement through middle and high school is one of the strongest safety tools a student can have. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"We have to be more cognizant about building real world Relationships" with Dr. David Cintron
2w ago00:24:12Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. David Cintron, Superintendent of NYC Public Schools District 14 in Brooklyn (26 schools serving about 11,000 students), about the digital challenges showing up in real classrooms right now. Dr. Cintron shares what phone addiction, sleep loss, cyberbullying, and viral trends can look like on campus, and why students and families need to become critical consumers of the content and advice they see online. They also dig into responsible AI use in schools, including curriculum alignment, teacher-led assessment, privacy protections, clear ethical norms, and ongoing digital literacy so students can use AI tools without losing the human skills that matter most. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →“Children need to develop their skills, and hopefully AI will not hinder that" -Torrance Lewis
3w ago00:29:30Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Torrance Lewis, Assistant Superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Massachusetts, serving about 1,000 students across two campuses, including a school on Hanscom Air Force Base. They dig into the digital issues showing up across K–12 right now, from phone addiction, sleep deprivation, cyberbullying, and FOMO to viral trends and the way algorithms can pull kids into unhealthy rabbit holes. Lewis explains why families and schools need a developmental lens, setting early boundaries and gradually releasing independence instead of handing kids sudden, unrestricted access, including what he calls “potted plant parenting.” The conversation also covers red flags for dangerous strangers online, plus how to approach AI in education with digital literacy, ethics, and guardrails that protect students’ human skills while helping teachers work more efficiently. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"Our students need to be very adaptable" with Shaney Valencia
4w ago00:26:51Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Shaney Valencia from Irvine Unified School District, Director of Learning Design, Differentiation, & AI Integration, about what it means for students when AI is suddenly everywhere. They dig into the struggles schools are seeing nationwide, including screen time, mental health, and the growing temptation for students to offload their thinking or cheat with AI tools. Valencia shares practical ways to teach students to use AI as support for learning and planning (not a replacement for work), plus the guardrails schools can put in place to protect privacy, set clear expectations, and prepare students for college and careers. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"We have to make tough decisions to protect our kids" with Dr. James Soltis
Apr 900:25:45Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Dylan Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning in Oldham County Schools (Kentucky), about what ethical AI use really looks like for students and why “keeping the human in the loop” matters. Dr. Smith shares the digital safety trends schools are seeing nationwide, what has improved since Oldham County strengthened its phone policy, and how excessive screen time can shrink attention spans and amplify FOMO, stress, and poor sleep. They also dig into deepfakes and why “just joking” can still create real legal risk, plus you will hear teen advice on red flags when a stranger online gets too personal or pushes to meet offline. The episode closes with practical guardrails for AI in schools and simple ways families can build healthier habits together. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"AI is just a helper in a process" with Dr. Dylan Smith
Apr 100:22:13Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Dylan Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning in Oldham County Schools (Kentucky), about what ethical AI use really looks like for students and why “keeping the human in the loop” matters. Dr. Smith shares the digital safety trends schools are seeing nationwide, what has improved since Oldham County strengthened its phone policy, and how excessive screen time can shrink attention spans and amplify FOMO, stress, and poor sleep. They also dig into deepfakes and why “just joking” can still create real legal risk, plus you will hear teen advice on red flags when a stranger online gets too personal or pushes to meet offline. The episode closes with practical guardrails for AI in schools and simple ways families can build healthier habits together. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"All Screen Time Is Not Negative Screen Time" with Dr. Sherri N. Wilson
Mar 2600:33:13Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Join host Josh Ochs on the SmartSocial.com Podcast as he talks with Dr. Sherri N. Wilson, Director of Innovative Learning for Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, about what it really takes to keep students safe in a fast-changing digital world. Dr. Wilson explains why online issues like hidden DMs, TikTok challenges, and group text drama can quickly spill into school on Monday morning, and how strong relationships with students and families help schools respond early. She also shares practical guidance on screen time (including why it is not all negative), how parents can set guardrails without constant conflict, and why student voice matters when it comes to spotting risks online. You will also hear how Broward is approaching AI with clear safeguards, including districtwide planning, student-informed guidelines, and careful vetting of tools to protect privacy and keep critical thinking front and center. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →"Participate in Your Kid's Screen Time to Know What They're Exposed To Online" Andrea Messick
Mar 2500:20:00Tap to summarizeProtect your family with our 1-minute free parent quiz https://www.smartsocial.com/newsletter Join our next weekly live parent events: https://smartsocial.com/events Episode Summary: Host Josh Ochs welcomes Andrea Messick, Chief of Staff and Communications at Midland ISD, to discuss key digital safety challenges impacting schools and families, including group texts, disappearing messages on apps like Snapchat and Signal, and inappropriate content that surfaces off campus and disrupts school days. Messick shares how her experience as a district leader and single parent shapes her approach, including regularly checking her son’s phone. They emphasize adults modeling healthy online behavior, parents participating in kids’ screen time to understand content and algorithms, and setting consistent time limits for younger children. The episode also features teen perspectives on red flags with dangerous strangers online and offers practical alternatives to device “pacifiers,” like car-ride learning conversations and restaurant routines that build independence and communication skills. Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parents) Member: https://SmartSocial.com/vip District Leaders: Schedule a free phone consultation to get ideas on how to protect your students in your community https://smartsocial.com/partner Download the free Smart Social app: https://www.smartsocial.com/appdownload Learn about the top 190+ popular teen apps: https://smartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/ View the top parental control software: https://smartsocial.com/parental-control-software/ The SmartSocial.com Podcast helps parents and educators to keep their kids safe on social media, so they can Shine Online™
Transcribe →