AF North International Middle/High School PTA
United States Armed Services
The AF North International Middle/High School is a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school that serves military families overseas. In today’s digital world, the PTA wanted to help their school community navigate complex topics including cybersecurity, online communities, digital citizenship and social media. Using their grant from National PTA and Discord, they held a Build Up and Belong event.
Using the provided program guide, students and their families had engaging discussions about different digital dilemmas students could face online. They also discussed tips for making good decisions in the digital world, and parents learned about tools to keep students safe online.
Prior to their event, students could complete a writing prompt asking them to share their thoughts on the pros and cons of technology’s impact on their sense of belonging. Over 200 students completed the prompt, and many of those stories and quotes were shared during the event, giving parents additional insights into how students view growing up in the digital age.
"Our Build Up & Belong event was an informative, insightful, and engaging. It was great to learn tips to help us all navigate interactions in both the digital and real world. Hearing our students’ perspectives was also invaluable. Many students were open in their responses to the prompt, and provided opinions and insights they may not have shared otherwise,” reported the PTA.
Build Up & Belong is a PTA Connected program. Learn more about PTA Connected, which strives to help children and teens act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online, and how you can host a program in your school.
In their own words:
“Technology is such an important and complex topic, and parents aren't always sure how to navigate these discussions with their teens. Implementing the Build Up & Belong program made it easier to have those conversations.”
Argyle Middle School PTSA
Silver Spring, Md.
Argyle Middle School PTSA understood that every family’s relationship with technology is unique. To help their school community in Silver Spring, Md., build healthy digital habits, teach the fundamentals of digital citizenship and find tools and resources to support online safety, the PTSA used their grant from National PTA and Google to host a Be Internet Awesome event.
Using the provided program guide, the PTSA shared information about Google’s digital safety tools, including Google’s SafeSearch and Family Link, through a presentation of the Meet LEO program, which gave them practical safety solutions they could implement immediately. They also invited the local police department to share online safety tips.
“Our event had the largest turnout of any event we hosted. It was really useful that the program covered safety features for all types of digital devices, not just the internet. Many of the attendees told us they learned something new and feel better equipped to guide their students to have healthier digital habits,” reported the PTSA.
Be Internet Awesome is a PTA Connected program. Learn more about PTA Connected, which strives to help children and teens act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online, and how you can host a program in your school.
In their own words:
“We all learned some new information about how families can stay safe on the internet as well as some good habits when using electronic devices.”
Parkside Elementary School PTA
Solon, Ohio
If we want our kids to be safe and responsible online, we need to have open, ongoing conversations with them about when and how they use their devices. To create a welcoming, informative and safe space where parents and students could have those conversations, Parkside Elementary School PTA in Solon, Ohio, used their grant from National PTA and Norton (part of the Gen family of brands), to host The Smart Talk conversation.
The Smart Talk is a free tool that helps families set digital safety ground rules together. For their event, the PTA used the provided program guide to walk families through different digital topics. Families then created a personalized technology agreement that includes things like screen time and online behavior. They invited technology and other experts to answer questions throughout the program.
They had a strong turnout for their event, and families left feeling more confident about maintaining positive digital habits in their homes.
“Our event empowered families to establish clear expectations for technology use while strengthening communication around digital safety. Parents expressed appreciation for the practical resources, and students felt more confident about setting boundaries online. By encouraging these conversations, we fostered a safer, more informed school community equipped to handle the challenges of the digital age,” reported the PTA.
The Smart Talk is a PTA Connected program. Learn more about PTA Connected, which strives to help children and teens act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online, and how you can host a program in your school.
In their own words:
“Many families left the event feeling more empowered and better equipped to manage technology use at home, fostering healthier and safer digital habits.”
South Orangetown Middle School PTA
Blauvelt, N.Y.
To spark conversations between students and families in their Title I school community about internet safety and online habits, South Orangetown Middle School PTA in Blauvelt, N.Y., used their grant from National PTA, Google and YouTube to host a Be Internet Awesome event.
Using the provided program guide and other National PTA resources, the PTA presented information about Google and YouTube’s digital safety tools, including Google’s SafeSearch and Family Link, which gave them practical safety solutions they could implement immediately. They also invited students from their local high school to participate in a panel discussion on the impact of technology in their lives. The panel offered advice to help families navigate the digital world.
To offer different perspectives on online safety, they partnered with their county’s district attorney’s office, a local law enforcement agency and the school district’s chief technology officer, who all shared online safety tips and resources.
They had a great turnout and have formed a committee of interested parents to plan and host future events about online safety and good digital citizenship.
“This was a great event that brought together students and parents to learn about and discuss the rapidly changing world of technology and our young people. We learned so much and feel we have the tools to help us continue to navigate this new landscape” reported the PTA.
Interested in hosting a Be Internet Awesome event at your school? Learn more at pta.org/connected.
In their own words:
“The Be Internet Awesome program was an important introduction to internet safety. We were able to offer insights about available tools and resources to help keep our students safe as they navigate the ever-changing world of technology.”
Lone Tree Elementary School PTA
Antioch, Calif.
It’s estimated that one in four elementary students have a smart phone and research shows that families often struggle to balance the positive aspects of digital life with the fear of scams and other threats.
Recently, Lone Tree Elementary School in Antioch, California, a Title I school, gathered its community to speak to these issues directly. Using their grant from National PTA and Norton (part of the Gen family of brands), the school hosted The Smart Talk conversation, helping parents and caregivers guide their student’s digital experiences and providing the tools they need to safe online.
Using the program guide provided, families came together over a pizza dinner to talk about responsible and safe technology use. The program sparked meaningful conversations about online habits, privacy, and screen time, and gave parents practical strategies to help raise responsible digital citizens.
“Norton’s commitment to digital safety made a real difference in our school community, helping us create an event that was not only educational but also fun and engaging,” reported the PTA. “Many parents shared that they felt more confident discussing technology rules at home after attending, and students gained a better understanding of their role in staying safe online. Because of this grant, more families are empowered to continue these conversations at home, making a lasting impact.”
Learn how you can run The Smart Talk program in your school.
In their own words:
“This program helped me understand how my technology habits impact my kids’ lives.”
Wylie High School PTSA
Wylie, Texas
Students at Wylie High School in Wylie, Texas, recently started a Digital Wellness Club to promote online safety, prevent bullying and encourage healthy online habits. To support the club and amplify their message, the PTA hosted a Create with Kindness event using their grant from National PTA and TikTok. The event was designed to bring families together for open discussions about students’ online experiences and offer practical information and resources to help keep teens safe online.
Using the provided program guide, the PTA and Digital Wellness Club shared tips on appropriate online behaviors, good digital citizenship and online safety on popular platforms like TikTok. Families also explored real-life online scenarios in small groups and discussed positive ways to respond.
A highlight of the event was the student panel, where teens spoke candidly about their online interactions and experiences. They answered questions and shared insights to help parents and caregivers better understand teens’ typical digital habits and behaviors.
To keep the momentum going, the Digital Wellness Club and student panel hosted a follow-up event during the school’s lunch period. They used the program’s character cards to spark conversations. The character cards describe a typical teen that encounters different online situations. Teens are asked to role play responses to these situations based on the character.
“We’re excited to see our students engaged and collaborating with us on this important topic,” reported the PTA.
Learn more about hosting a Create with Kindness event and other online safety programs at your school.
In their own words:
“I wasn't sure I wanted to attend tonight, but I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my own experiences. It helps me feel less alone. Thank you for giving me a space to share my voice.”
Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA
Burke, Va.
To equip students with tools to navigate social media safely while fostering a culture of kindness both online and offline, Lake Braddock Secondary School PTSA in Burke, Va., used their grant from National PTA and TikTok to a host a Create with Kindness event.
Their event brought parents and teens together to discuss good digital citizenship, digital responsibility and how to be kind during online interactions. Their event included a panel discussion, where teens shared about their own online experiences.
“The highlight of our event was the student panel,” reported the PTSA. “Our student representatives not only had thoughtful and thorough responses to the questions they received in advance, but they took it a step further by gathering answers from their peers to share at the event. They came well-prepared and shared thoughtful, honest insights about how they use social media.”
Families also learned about safety tools available from apps like TikTok that are intended to help keep teens safer online.
“There is a lot of fear from parents surrounding social media, but the student panel demonstrated that they are more aware and safety-conscious than we give them credit for.”
“This is an easy-to-follow, relevant, and realistic program. Our parents benefitted from the information and student perspectives.”
Learn more about hosting a Create with Kindness event and other programs focused on online safety at your school.
In their own words:
“I really appreciated the student's honest answers to questions, especially regarding the very large role social media plays today in communicating with each other and about events in general.”
Hebron Valley Elementary School PTA
Carrollton, Texas
The 2025 Common Sense Media Census found that 1 in 4 kids under 8 years old – the average age of a third grader – have their own phone. With kids wanting phones at increasingly younger ages, many parents are asking questions about screen time and online safety, and wonder if their child is even ready for a phone.
To help parents navigate today’s digital world and give them tips to guide their technology decisions – including when to give their child a phone – Hebron Valley Elementary School PTA in Carrollton, Texas, held a held a Ready, Tech, Go! event with their grant from National PTA supported by AT&T.
“We wanted to help our families determine if their children are emotionally, socially and mentally prepared for the challenges that come with owning a phone,” said the PTA.
Attendees completed the PhoneReady Questionnaire created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The questionnaire helps parents and caregivers think about things like emotional maturity and personal responsibility – two critical factors for owning in a phone.
The PTA partnered with the school counselor, who shared additional discussion topics about phone readiness, including how well a child follows rules, how they manage their personal belongings, how well they control their impulses and emotions and if they know what it means to be a good digital citizen.
The program also included discussions on screen time, online safety and how to establish digital usage guidelines at home. Families learned about digital tools that monitor screen time and automatically shut devices off when kids hit their allotted screen time limit. They also learned how to:
- Have regular and ongoing conversations about technology use
- Have healthy discussions when their child has a misstep with their family’s digital expectations
- Find high-quality content
“Families left the event feeling empowered to make informed decisions about when and how their children could begin using phones. The impact was significant, fostering open communication between parents and children about technology use and ensuring that children feel supported as they enter the world of mobile technology.”
Learn how your PTA can host a Ready, Tech, Go! event in your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The phone ready and digital safety tips shared during our event helped us create a safer, more informed and better connected school community.”
MAST Academy PTSA
Miami, Fla.
In today’s digital age where communication is often instant and public, it’s critically important to teach teens about responsible social media use. To help students at MAST Academy in Miami, Fla., understand what it means to be a good digital citizen, the PTSA used their grant from National PTA and TikTok to run a Create with Kindness program that included student and family workshops and activities both during and after school to encourage kindness.
As part of their program, students created presentations and met for discussions about what responsible use of social media means to them. Students explored real-world scenarios and the consequences of online decisions—both positive and negative. This helped them reflect on how their own digital choices affect not only their reputations, but the well-being of others. These sessions emphasized empathy, good digital citizenship and the power of words, showing students that their online voices have impact.
The PTSA also ran activities that made kindness more visible in the school’s daily environment. They held a “Kindness Challenge Week,” where students participated in daily acts of kindness both in-person and online. From posting uplifting messages on school social media accounts to recognizing peers for their positive behavior, students were encouraged to spread kindness.
To get families involved, they held sessions after school with speakers trained in youth mental health and digital safety. These sessions gave families tools to navigate the challenges of raising teens in a connected world.
“Through our program, students began to view social media not just as a platform for entertainment, but as a powerful tool for advocacy, creativity and compassion,” reported MAST Academy PTSA. “Our community now has a stronger understanding that behind every screen is a real person with real feelings—and that respect, kindness and empathy should guide all interactions. The Create with Kindness program reminded us that kindness isn't just a behavior—it's a culture we choose to create together.”
Visit PTA Connected to learn more about hosting a Create with Kindness program in your school.
In their own words:
“I felt this was a powerful program that really opened our minds about social media and reminded us how important it is to treat our peers with respect and kindness.”
Raymond B. Pinchbeck Elementary School PTA
Richmond, VA
“How much is too much screen time?”
Parents and caregivers of elementary school kids are grappling with this question as access to technology becomes increasingly easier for K-5 school students. With health experts sounding alarms about the negative impacts of too much screen time, parents and caregivers are looking for real tools and guidance to help them make smart technology choices.
To help their school community navigate parenting in the digital age, Raymond B. Pinchbeck Elementary School PTA in Richmond, Virginia, held a Ready, Tech, Go! event with their grant from National PTA supported by AT&T. The program included information and statistics about screen time, technology use and online safety for kids in elementary school. Attendees also learned practical tips about how to set healthy screen limits at home, including:
- Setting screen-free times (such as during meals)
- Tracking screen usage
- Using parental controls to automatically turn off technology when agreed upon screen limits are reached
- Modeling smart technology behaviors
Families also took the PhoneReady questionnaire, which was created by AT&T and the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents decide if their child is ready for a phone.
“Having two hours to devote to thinking about my children and their screen readiness was such a gift. Really dedicating time to think only about this topic helped me focus my own thoughts about the subject and think about my readiness and also each of my children individually and where they are in their readiness,” said a parent that attended the event.
The PTA invited the school’s Innovation Learning Coach to present, who shared what students are learning in her class, her perspective on digital safety and what safety measures their school system has in place to protect students.
All of the program materials were translated into multiple languages to ensure everyone in their school community could understand the information.
“This program helped bring awareness not only to the great cell phone debate but also to screen readiness. It created dialogue between spouses and partners so they could have a united opinion and both be prepared for ongoing discussions about technology with their children,” said the PTA.
Learn how your PTA can host a Ready, Tech, Go! event in your school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The program made me think about my own digital habits and how I can model better behavior. I also now know to ask questions about what and why my kids want a device rather than just agreeing to use the devices with supervision.”