Social media has transformed how we communicate, share, and consume information. Yet, this transformation comes with new risks. One of the most alarming threats today is the rise of deepfake technology, which can create highly convincing fake voices and faces. These digital fabrications blur the line between truth and fiction, posing serious dangers to individuals and society.

Teaching digital citizenship is no longer optional; it is essential. Educators have a unique role in guiding young people to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, safely, and respectfully. The Cyber Civics program can provide the tools and knowledge needed to build these critical skills.

“I don’t know what’s real anymore.” That’s a sentence I’ve heard more than once from teens in my therapy office. Sometimes it’s about a video that turned out to be fake. Other times it’s about a friend who used an AI filter so convincing it felt like deception. What these moments reveal is deeper than confusion about technology—it’s about trust. Teens today are growing up in a world where the line between what’s real and what’s manufactured is thinner than ever. As a therapis

(AI) is becoming a significant part of our everyday lives. From smart home devices to educational apps, AI is changing how children learn and play. While these technologies can offer incredible benefits, they also come with unique challenges and risks. As a parent, it's vital to know how to protect your child in this era of AI. This post will share valuable tips to help you navigate the complexities of technology and ensure your child's safety. Understanding AI and Its Impact

Do your students know how to tell if a post about politics or current events is real or just really persuasive? In a year filled with elections, social issues, and breaking news, young people are seeing more civic content than ever before. But they’re not just watching; they’re participating—commenting, sharing, debating, and shaping opinions online. As a therapist and educator, I’ve seen how these digital interactions can spark critical thinking and empathy, but also confusi

(This article has been republished from the author's substack with express permission.) The Spectacle of Cruelty Recently, an AI-generated video circulated online showing a crowned Donald Trump flying a fighter jet and dropping what appeared to be feces on protesters, including a well-known liberal influencer. Trump himself reposted it—cementing it not only on social media, but in the official Presidential Record ( source ) (a topic for another day, under “Digital Footprint”

(Editor's note: This article has been republished with permission from the author) Caveat - This article is a forward-looking reflection grounded in what we are already observing with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, our understanding of what draws teens to digital spaces, and early indicators of where the next generation is heading as they mature into their teen years. In many ways, we’re looking into the AI crystal ball, not with speculation, but with informed i

Have you ever watched your teen scroll through their feed and wondered, “How do they know what’s real?” You’re not alone. Every day, young people navigate a digital world overflowing with news, opinions, memes, and ads, all competing for their attention. As a therapist, I see how this nonstop information stream affects teens’ mental health, shaping how they see themselves, others, and the world around them. That’s why media literacy , the ability to critically evaluate and un

Key points An executive order, Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, calls for AI literacy. AI literacy is...

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AI image tools (sometimes called deepfake generators) can take a simple photo and make it look like a student is in a place they’ve never been, wearing something they never wore, or doing something they never did. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly six in ten Americans already expect AI to have a major impact on online misinformation in the next decade.

After teaching digital literacy for 15 years, I've learned a few things (15 things to be exact) that I hope you’ll find useful—whether you are a parent, an educator, or like all of us, just trying to navigate technology mindfully.

As a Licensed Master Social Worker working closely with adolescents, I’ve seen firsthand how today’s digital world shapes the minds, behaviors, and emotional landscapes of our students. Screens are ever-present. Social media is omnipresent. AI is evolving faster than we can regulate it. And misinformation? It spreads with a tap.

As a mental health professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand how today’s digital world profoundly shapes the emotional well-being of young people. Students today are navigating far more than academics—they’re juggling the pressures of social media, the complexities of digital relationships, and the constant presence of screens in nearly every aspect of their lives.

2025 really is the year of not only AI but definitely the chatbot. We've seen news articles and countless opinion pieces on how these...