Blog

• 29 March 2021
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

So, you’ve been canceled on social media? Cancel culture is where an individual is tossed out of their social and professional ties due to the individual expressing themselves in a way that is socially unacceptable.

If cancel culture teaches us anything, it’s the phrase “what you say online stays online forever.” Our words on social media can have a deep impact on how the world perceives us, up to the point where it may cost you your reputation. Before sharing any content online, ask yourself, “would you like your grandmother, teacher, or the rest of the world to see this?”

• 04 December 2020
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

Is your well-being suffering because of social media likes?

If so, you’re not alone. In a recent study by the Royal Society for Public Health involving 1,500 teens and young adults, social media activities on Instagram were associated with “high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and a ‘fear of missing out (FOMO).” Both males and females report they regularly struggle to keep up with their peers on social media.

Knowing what exactly is causing these feelings, and learning how to safely combat them, is one way for students to protect themselves from some of these negative feelings many are experiencing behind their devices. 

• 30 October 2020
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

Wait, what? Guys have emotions and feelings beyond hunger and anger? Guys are complex human beings capable of experiencing the whole range of human feelings? Yes! It’s true. Men can and do experience feelings beyond hunger. We feel both joy and depression. We feel the pain of a loss and the wow of taking in a breathtaking mountain vista. We even can cry. Not just when Chiefs win the Superbowl, but at times when we feel sad.

• 23 July 2020
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

The Constitution of the United States offers guidance to individuals in their use of speech, both written and spoken present in the First Amendment Free Speech Clause. The backbone of the First Amendment is the protection offered to individuals from government entities constraining or compelling their usage of speech. The arrival of the internet and social media forums have complicated the traditional idea of the First Amendment.

• 20 November 2018
• For Teens, Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

Are You A Duck?  

By SGS Ambassador: Abbie Mueller (Student Writer)

Overview

It is a quiet, pretty fall day, and there is a beautiful duck with a bright green head and striped neck quietly gliding across the water.  He is so graceful that the surface of the pond barely ripples as he floats along, peaceful with his head held high. Underneath the water though is his secret.  His yellow webbed feet are paddling as hard as he possibly can! He struggles to move himself forward and stay afloat, all of his work below the surface hidden from people who admire his silent, perfect, morning swim...

This article will cover:

Instagram feeds aren't real life. 

Comparison and stress

Unrealistic standards and low self-image

Scary stats for suicide rates, anxiety, and depression in high-performing college students - Cornell University, Penn State University, Tulane University, and Stanford University.

• 23 May 2018
• For Parents and Educators, Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

**This blog post was written by our SGS Ambassador, Abbie Mueller (and only slightly edited by our writing crew).** You may have heard in the news that First Lady Melania Trump recently gave a presentation where she announced her new program, “https://www.whitehouse.gov/bebest/”  In her speech, she said that she wants to focus on three issues facing today’s children: drug addiction, mental health, and social media pressures.  To work on the part of her program dealing with social media pressures, she plans to use guidelines called “Talking With Kids About Being Online.”

• 11 April 2018
• For Parents and Educators, Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

**This blog post series (two parts) was written by our SGS Program Coordinator, Allie Swanson (and only slightly edited by our writing crew).** Last week, we started an open letter to parents and discussed the qualities of a good nanny and some beginner tips. This week, we’re back to share some stories from the trenches and some additional points for parents to consider.

• 04 April 2018
• For Parents and Educators, Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

**This blog post series (two parts) was written by our SGS Ambassador, Allie Swanson  (and only slightly edited by our writing crew).** We are sharing an open letter to parents from nannies who have been in the trenches with helpful advice and captivating examples. Stay tuned next week for Part 2!

• 28 March 2018
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

**This blog post was written by our SGS Ambassador, Abbie Mueller (and only slightly edited by our writing crew).** Research shows that teens definitely try to create an online “self” that will appeal to our friends, to adults, and to the people that matter to us.  

• 07 March 2018
• Guest Posts By Our Smarties & Ambassadors

**This blog post was written by one of our Smart Students (and only slightly edited by our writing crew).** Middle schoolers seemingly no longer have awkward stages, but are looking more and more like models in their twenties. All because social media stars are influencing them into trying new things like makeup and dressing like a model.