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We're diving into an incredibly important topic in today's day and age - Navigating social media and other internet technologies, with a special emphasis on fostering digital safety for our foster youth.

We'll be discussing the legal rights of youth in foster care regarding internet access, the importance of fostering digital education and empowerment, and providing tips and resources to help you through this journey.

This episode will center caregiver and youth empowerment by providing tips on, having transparent conversations about social media, setting boundaries, and differentiating between healthy and potentially dangerous online engagements.

Additionally, we’ll answer the questions you sent in about safe social media practices like the pros and cons of delaying social media usage for kids, how to define what constitutes social media, and how to navigate age-appropriate content online.

Guest: Jennifer Rodriguez, Executive Director of Youth Law Center, former foster youth

Resources:
Quality Parenting Initiative and California Youth Connection's Video: Youth Perspectives on Tech for Resource Parents:

http://centervideo.forest.usf.edu/video/qpi/ylc/techconn/qpistart.html
http://centervideo.forest.usf.edu/video/qpi/ylc/techconn/webinarppt.pdf

Prudent Parenting Standard

Youth Law Center's Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI)

Quality Parenting Initiative and California Youth Connection's tips for Resource Parents and Tech

Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab Family Digital Wellness Guide

Center for Parent and Teen Communication: Teens, Tech + Mental Health

Call to Action:
What are the real pros and cons of waiting to let kids be on social media? (44:39)

What do you consider social media? (57:34)

How to talk to your youth about social media (1:04:12)

About Fostering Parenthood:

Fostering Parenthood is a podcast by caregivers for caregivers promoting the healthy sexual development of foster youth, brought to you by the National Center for Youth Law and the Reproductive Health Equity Project.

The laws and policies discussed in our show are specific to LA County and California. However, any out-of-state or international listeners should check the regulations specific to their state or country.

Watch our episodes at https://rhep.info/fosteringparenthood-watch!

Learn more about Fostering Parenthood at www.fosteringparenthood.buzzsprout.com.

Email us with questions, comments, and feedback at email@fosterreprohealth.org.

Fostering Parenthood is fully supported by grant number 1 TP2AH000066-01-00 from the HHS Office of Population Affairs. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Population Affairs.