• by Colin Kirkland , February 8, 2022

The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is celebrating its Safer Internet Day (February 8), and from February 7 through February 11 will offer an interactive series to teach caregivers and PTA leaders how to discuss digital well-being and internet safety with today’s youth.

Workshops being offered include Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World, How Teens Create Digital Spaces for Belonging (featuring Discord teen moderators), and Stop, Think, Decide, Act: Navigating Important Conversations About Online Safety (hosted by TikTok). 

“Our goal is to empower students and families to create a safer, kinder, more inclusive online community,” says National PTA President Anna King. 

According to King, this starts with relevant education surrounding certain challenges families face when interacting with the digital landscape. This is especially significant given the recent focus on hate speech, misinformation, and predatory behavior, as well as frequent news coverage of harmful viral TikTok trends.

Along with Discord and NortonLifeLock, TikTok is a leading sponsor of the National PTA’s initiative. According to National PTA executive director Nathan R. Monell, 40 local PTAs will each receive a $1,000 grant from the social media platform. 

The money specifically funds these safety conversations through a variety of Create with Kindness resources developed through a collaboration between the PTA and TikTok. They include guides for parents to understand the short-form video platform, a well-being checklist, tips to help teens navigate their experiences, and how to assess potential online danger.