Social media program planned

By Kathy Thomson

Local youth ministers Kathryn Hamilton (The Feed Store) and Spencer Newsom (Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church) have invited all interested parents to come to an informative presentation about social media next Wednesday evening, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. at The Feed Store.

“We wanted to tell parents about the dangers of social media and some of the online stuff that kids may be involved in,” said Hamilton. “We plan to go through some apps, talking about both the good and the bad, discuss screen time, and explain how things like pornography can affect the brain, especially of adolescents.”

The session is geared toward parents of high school and junior high students, but anyone interested is invited to attend.

“We are hoping that all parents of junior high and high school students will come, along with all other parents who have kids with a smart phone,” said Hamilton. “Spencer and I will give a presentation lasting about 30 minutes, followed by time for questions and answers.”

Hamilton said that the meeting is not in response to any specific event.

“Social media is so pervasive, especially in the lives of teenagers, that we want parents to be aware of what is out there and being poured into kids’ brains,” said the youth minister. “We are doing this for awareness sake.”