As I mentioned in my last post, I spent a great deal of time having some wonderful conversations with School Counselors at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference. One topic that came up more often than not in conversation was the issue of identity theft. This is something that everyone should be concerned about … Continue reading Protecting Your Identity in the Online World
General Update
Weird Al’s “Word Crimes” Is An English Major’s Dream Come True
As a complete and udder nerd, the new of Weird Al's new album has had me giddy with joy since he started dropping hints about it. Today he released the video for his Robin Thicke parody entitled "Word Crimes." As an English major I am obsessed. It also made me super self-conscious about my blog … Continue reading Weird Al’s “Word Crimes” Is An English Major’s Dream Come True
School Counselors Rule The World; or, Lessons Learned at ASCA 2014
It has been almost two weeks since I attended the American School Counselor Association's National Conference in my new hometown of Orlando, FL and I must admit I'm still on cloud 9 from the experience. In the six years that I have been working as a speaker I have only attended 3 conferences as an … Continue reading School Counselors Rule The World; or, Lessons Learned at ASCA 2014
Cory Monteith: Lessons From Tragedy
One year ago today the world learned of the tragic death of Glee star Cory Monteith from a drug overdose. At 31 years old Monteith was a beacon of hope for the underdog playing the character Finn Hudson on the Fox musical. My opinion of Glee has certainly faltered in this latest season but in … Continue reading Cory Monteith: Lessons From Tragedy
Just Kidding Still Doesn’t Cut It in the Online World
In July of 2013 I wrote about a young man named Justin Carter who posted a threatening status update on Facebook resulting in his arrest. This story has since become a cautionary tale that I have travelled all over the country with. The moral of the story being that "just kidding" doesn't cut it in … Continue reading Just Kidding Still Doesn’t Cut It in the Online World
What Parents Should Know About The Eraser Challenge
The world of the internet never ceases to amaze me and what people, kids especially, are willing to do to achieve their 15 minutes of fame is even more shocking. I received an e-mail from a concerned parent in Connecticut this morning about a new trend in schools called "The Eraser Challenge". Coincidentally, I had … Continue reading What Parents Should Know About The Eraser Challenge
Yik Yak (Don’t Come Back!)
If Ask.FM taught the world anything, it was that teenagers and the ability to remain anonymous cannot be mixed. In the summer of 2013, the popular Q&A web site became known worldwide after a series of bullying related suicides. Despite the public outcry, the site's developers refused to aide in the investigation into instances of … Continue reading Yik Yak (Don’t Come Back!)
What Parents Should Know: Vine Becomes PG-13
Just over a year after its debut, Vine (a Twitter-owned platform) had brought about a major change in their Terms of Service. Last week, Twitter announced and immediate change in the terms banning all pornographic and sexually explicit content. Twitter and, by extension, Vine had no rules against pornographic material though they did supress the … Continue reading What Parents Should Know: Vine Becomes PG-13
Dale Hansen Stands Up to Michael Sam’s Critics and It’s Amazing
I was fully prepared to write something insanely amazing about the Michael Sam story. While I'm not much of a sports person (read: I'm not a sports person at all), I do pay attention and I am a human being. I started writing and then I found something that said it all better than I … Continue reading Dale Hansen Stands Up to Michael Sam’s Critics and It’s Amazing
America The Bully-ful; or, How Coca-Cola is Bringing About the Destruction of America
I know I'm about a week late on this but I don't follow football and I don't have cable, so I didn't see a single Super Bowl commercial on February 2. I do have social networks which have told me all I need to know. It would seem that the only commercial worth talking about … Continue reading America The Bully-ful; or, How Coca-Cola is Bringing About the Destruction of America
Breaking Down Digital Walls 