Kearney, Mo., May 14, 2024: Student survey data about digital safety in the Kearney School District community is raising alarms about the negative impact of devices like cell phones.

This winter, KSD invited Stop Trafficking Project Founder Russ Tuttle to share presentations about digital safety with employees, students, parents/guardians and community members. After his presentations at Kearney Middle School, Kearney Junior High and Kearney High School, students were asked to take a voluntary, anonymous survey. 

Mr. Tuttle’s team compiled the survey results and recently shared a report with KSD administrators. The student survey results reinforce Mr. Tuttle’s core message that virtually every child in every community is vulnerable to the dangers posed by digital devices, particularly cell phones, according to KSD Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Kopp. Mrs. Kopp was responsible for bringing Tuttle to the district.

“Their report is concerning, and we feel it is important for the community to see what our students are telling us about their online experiences,” Kopp said. “Together, we can empower our students to make responsible choices online and maximize their learning potential.” 

6th Grade

Out of 265 students surveyed, 85 students reported that they had viewed pornography; 35 students have received nude photos or videos (11 reported it to an adult); and 37 students reported that they had met up with a stranger.

7th Grade

Out of 241 students surveyed, 110 students reported that they had viewed pornography; 65 students had received nude photos or videos (10 reported it to an adult); and 36 students reported that they had met up with a stranger.

8th/9th Grades

Out of 450 students surveyed, 178 students reported that they had viewed pornography; 258 students had received nude photos or videos (18 reported it to an adult); and 70 students reported that they had met up with a stranger.

10th – 12th Grades

Out of 513 students surveyed, 332 students reported that they had viewed pornography; 223 students had received nude photos or videos (24 reported it to an adult); and 87 students reported that they had met up with a stranger.

“Even if you factor in a margin of error, these results are very concerning,” Kopp said. “We know that a significant portion of students are spending more time than recommended on digital devices, so it is imperative that we are diligent in helping students navigate the digital landscape in a safe manner.”

KSD’s top priority as a school system is to keep our students safe and secure; that includes digital safety. To help address this challenge, we are relaunching our Linewize Online Safety Hub and Qustodio app. 

The Online Safety Hub is a great resource for information, updates and guidance. Qustodio offers features to help parents/guardians better manage and monitor their student’s online activities, ensuring their safety and promoting healthy screen habits.

In the coming days, parents/guardians will be receiving more information about both the Linewize Online Safety Hub and the Qustodio app. We highly encourage them to explore Qustodio and leverage its powerful tools to create a safer and more balanced digital environment for their children. 

KSD is also working with Linewize to host an introductory webinar starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. This webinar will include information about how to sign-up and utilize the Qustodio app, plus some basic guidance around digital safety and security. More information and a link to register will be posted soon on the district website.

The post KSD Student Digital Safety Survey Raises Concerns About Devices appeared first on Early Education Center.

Kearney, Mo., November 16, 2023: Kearney School District is introducing two valuable tools designed to enhance online safety for students and provide parents/guardians with helpful insights into their children’s digital activities: the Qustodio Parents App and the KSD Online Safety Hub.

Fostering a secure online environment for our students is a collaborative effort between Kearney School District and parents/guardians. The new app and hub will enhance and strengthen that partnership on behalf of the community’s children.

KSD IT Director Ryan Blankenship led the effort to make these new digital tools available for the district’s parents/guardians. This launch is progress towards achieving an important step included in Pillar 1: Climate & Culture of KSD’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which calls for the creation of a safe learning environment of respect and belonging fostering a path to success.

“We’re excited to make the Qustodio Parents App and KSD Online Safety Hub available for all of our families,” Mr. Blankenship said. “We want to equip parents and guardians with practical, effective knowledge and tools so that they can keep their children safe and teach them how to be good digital citizens.”

Qustodio, powered by KSD’s content filter partner Linewize, is a powerful app designed to help parents/guardians monitor and manage their children’s digital activities on school devices. With Qustodio, users gain visibility and insights into how their children’s school devices are being used through real-time data on their internet usage. Additionally, Qustodio allows parents/guardians to pause the internet on school devices outside of school hours, ensuring a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.

The KSD Online Safety Hub, also powered by Linewize, is a comprehensive resource that contains expert advice authored by leading safety professionals. This hub covers crucial online safety topics such as online bullying, screen time management, and gaming. It serves as a valuable guide for parents/guardians navigating the challenges of the digital world, offering insights and strategies to promote a safe and positive online environment for students.

We encourage all KSD parents/guardians to explore these tools to better understand how their children are using their digital devices and to equip themselves with the knowledge to support their online safety. Both the Qustodio Parents App and the KSD Online Safety Hub align with KSD’s commitment to providing exemplary educational experiences in a safe and supportive learning environment.

KSD parents/guardians can visit www.ksdr1.net/qustodio for easy instructions to get started with the Qustodio Parents App and to find a link to the KSD Online Safety Hub.

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