The school district has signed on with Smart Social, a company that operates a website and app aimed at keeping students safe online by offering tips, guides, and expert information to parents. It also teaches students to use social media with a purpose and a plan.
More than 500 Oceanside families have already signed on to access Smart Social's website, live webinars, and videos. These resources educate parents about the ever-growing number of social media apps and video games that their children may be using to interact with others online.
There are also teen-led video lessons so that young people can learn from their peers how best to safely shine online. A regular parent newsletter keeps parents informed about upcoming workshops and the latest topics including artificial intelligence, airdrop and nearby share, among others.
Many West Coast school districts are using Smart Social and Oceanside is among the first on Long Island to offer Smart Social services to parents. The district's Parent University representatives are working with their principals and PTAs to schedule Smart Social events at their schools. The district chose to work with Smart Social after parent surveys named social media as one of the top subjects that parents wanted to learn more about through Parent University.
Smart Social was discussed at the October 18 Board of Education meeting which can be viewed on YouTube.