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A useful guide to hosting or joining a Twitter chat, as well as some description of some of the different Twitter tools available

A good post from Common Sense Media about where teens are with social media today. The questions "Are teens totally over Facebook? Or are they using it even more than ever? are asked and an answer is attempted. From reports it is evident that there are many and varied social media being used by young people. Teenagers are dividing their attention between a sizeable number of apps and tools. These all allow them to write, share, video-chat, and even shop for the latest trends. The advice is:"You don't need to know the ins and outs of every app and site that's "hot" right now (and frankly, if you did, they wouldn't be trendy anymore). But knowing the basics -- what they are, why they're popular, and what problems can crop up when they're not used responsibly -- can make the difference between a positive and a negative experience for your kid." A few of these media are discussed in light of this.

"You don't have to be an expert on texting, Instagram, Minecraft -- or whatever else your kids are into -- to have The Talk. Start by reading up on what's going on in your kids' world (for younger kids and older kids). Ask them to show you what they like online, and why. Make sure to listen :) Then, express a few basic expectations, with the understanding that this isn't a one-and-done kind of chat. Good luck (you'll be fine)! Here are the 5 basics to cover during The Talk:"

"Our students are living their lives online. They can share everything and anything with the world with just a tap of a button and with it comes a new way to connect. It's nearly impossible to keep up. With technology changing constantly it can be difficult to know where to begin teaching digital citizenship. Fortunately for us, there are many apps, tools, and resources available to educators to help our students navigate the digital world safely. In a recent #Ditchbook chat, educators shared over 15 incredible resources to get you started teaching digital citizenship and take it farther than just a one-off lesson or unit."