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The Burlington school district will soon begin piloting a program designed to help parents be more informed about the social media apps and internet websites their children are using.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti first previewed the partnership with SmartSocial in BCAT's Superintendent Update for the month of September and later announced it at the September 30 meeting of the School Committee.

"It provides a convenient way for parents” to learn more about the social media apps and other internet platforms children are using, said Conti at the meeting.

The goal of SmartSocial, said founder Josh Ochs in the introduction video that was shown at the meeting, is to "help students, parents, and educators navigate the ever-changing world of technology and social media together" via online events, webinars, and a website dedicated to informing and supporting this mission.

In the video Ochs said the idea for this online platform came from his experience speaking about social media safety at schools around the country. "...Only about twenty parents would be able to attend some of our in-person parent evening events on campus." The need for an online option was clear, and SmartSocial now hosts more than 50 live, virtual online events, available in multiple languages, and "more than ten times the amount of parents [are] engaged." Parents can join from any device, and kids are encouraged to participate and learn alongside them. There's even an opportunity to win prizes from participating.

Each event features "clear takeaways, practical tips, and dialog starters" designed to help adults and kids alike understand the social media landscape and how to be safe on the internet. The SmartSocial website also features quick explainers about the common apps and platforms parents, students, and educators will encounter online.

Dr. Conti said Burlington will be the first Massachusetts district to use SmartSocial, but he has heard positive things from districts in other states that have used it.

Participation in this year-long pilot, which is funded by the Burlington Education Foundation, is optional, and parents have been sent an invite via ParentSquare, the district's messaging and information platform.

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