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SPRING 2021 HOMESCHOOL IOWA 21
What you say about us openly matters
deeply to us.
Social media is the popular hangout spot for teens. It’s a large
public forum. Teens worry about public embarrassment or ru-
mors that might hurt or ruin their reputation. As parents, we need
to understand this. Issues we have within our family should not
be taken up in the public forum of social media.
We are connecting.
Our teens are connecting with their friends via messaging
apps, Snapchat, Instagram, and a variety of other media, all the
time. They aren’t missing a moment because they are connect-
ing; they are often sharing and connecting through the moment.
There are times this might not be the case, but don’t make the
broad assumption they are missing out on a moment when, in
fact, they might very well be enjoying that moment with those
around them by capturing it.
We need you to model what you ask of us.
Device down time is needed for everyone. It’s so tempting to
share the latest news and often miss that we’re sharing rumors,
misinformation, or gossip. Our teens need us to model the high-
est level of digital citizenship to them. It’s confusing when we ask
them to follow rules we don’t follow ourselves.
They aren’t “our friends online;” they
are our friends.
Our teens are connecting with their friends through social me-
dia. Those relationships aren’t less real or have less value because
they “talk” via Snapchat. In fact, teens are connecting more be-
cause they have the ability to stay in touch instantly as opposed
to meeting once a week at the mall. Going to the same coop or
church as someone doesn’t necessarily mean teens have time to
talk at length those friends. Teens want us to value their friend-
ships, regardless of location. Isn’t it great that social media gives
us the ability to do so as parents? Don’t miss the opportunity!
Leah is a wife and mom of 2 homeschool graduates. She’s a popular speaker who
encourages parents to walk with their kids through the world of social media and tech-
nology so we raise a generation of digitally responsible young adults. You can find her
eBooks Connected: Apps All Parents Should Know, Let’s Get Social: A Straightforward
Guide for Kids on Social Media, and Connected: A Parent’s Guide to Snapchat, as well
as tips on technology and social media at
B r ing you r t e e n s t o Con f e r e n ce t h i s ye a r !
No advance registration or extra fee’s required
~ but space will be limited!
Will Our
Generation
Speak?
Presented by:
Josiah & Grace (Mally)
Moffitt
Drama &
Improvisation
Presented by:
Natalie Ogbourne
Singleness,
Purity, &
Relationships
Presented by: Andrew &
Sarah (Mally) Hancock
Cell Phone
Photography
Presented by:
Sadie Desaulniers
How to Make
a Difference in
Your World
Presented by:
Josh Bingaman
“... We need to listen to what our
kids have to say about social
media a bit more so we can
better offer boundaries and
guidance with love and grace.”