When and How to Thumbs Down:
Help your child learn when to Thumbs Down by having them ask: Is what I’m seeing or about to send Problematic, Bigger Than Me, or Complicated?
Help your child learn how to Thumbs Down by teaching them to Pause, Reach Out, or Move it Offline.
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1 Problematic Posts
Encourage your child to Pause before posting or engaging with texts or posts that:
- Are mean-spirited
- Include the use of photos without consent
- Require context, knowledge of intention, and/or tone to make sense
- Violate a school’s Code of Conduct or Digital Use Contract
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2 3 Ds – It’s Bigger Than Me
Teach your child to Reach Out to a trusted adult about texts or posts that are:
- Disturbing – anything that is troubling or confusing
- Disparaging – content that demeans or humiliates a person or group of people based on things like: religion, ethnicity, race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, country of origin, political views, or special needs
- Dangerous – these indicate harmful intent
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3 Complicated Communication
Sometimes you need to Move an interaction offline; for example, when conversations involve:
- Sensitive subject matter
- Emotional content
- Anything that feels complex
