REWIRED: What Changed?

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REWIRED: Understanding Internet Safety and Digital Protections

REWIRED is a Central 301 awareness series designed to share trusted information and resources on how technology is reshaping childhood, learning, and well being. We are not taking a position or telling families what to do. Our goal is to provide a clear place to learn more, ask better questions, and explore tools that can support safe and responsible digital habits.

This week’s focus is online safety and digital privacy. Many families are managing a mix of devices and platforms, including phones, gaming systems, messaging apps, and payment tools. Rather than trying to cover everything at once, this post is meant to be a “settings and awareness” hub with optional tips and links you can explore at your own pace.

What families often ask about

Privacy settings and public visibility
Many apps default to sharing more than people realize. Families may find it helpful to periodically check whether profiles are public or private, who can message their child, and what information is visible (name, photo, location, contacts, or activity).

Payment apps and peer to peer transfers
If teens are using tools like Venmo or similar services, a common learning point is that transactions can sometimes be visible by default depending on settings. Reviewing privacy options can help families understand what is shared and with whom.

Online gaming and chat features
Gaming is often a social space. In many games, the bigger issue is not the game itself, but voice chat, direct messages, friend requests, and community servers. Console and game level settings can usually control communication features, spending permissions, and who can interact.

App age ratings and “stacking”
A single platform often bundles multiple features: messaging, livestreams, short videos, discover feeds, and private groups. When families ask how apps “stack up,” it can help to compare them by features rather than by name.

COPPA and FERPA, in plain language

Families sometimes hear these terms and wonder what they actually mean.

  • COPPA is a federal children’s privacy law focused on how online services collect and use information from children under 13.
  • FERPA is a federal student privacy law that governs access to and disclosure of student education records.

Read more about both laws here.

How Central 301 supports digital safety

Central 301 uses tools and procedures designed to support safe and responsible use of technology in school settings. As part of our ongoing approach, we also encourage families to use available tools at home that match their preferences and values.

If you want to understand the broader landscape, the US Surgeon General notes that social media and digital spaces can carry both potential benefits and potential risks for youth, and encourages families to stay informed and engaged.

Optional “quick check” ideas

These are not requirements, just common items families choose to review:

  • Is the account public or private
  • Who can message or comment
  • Location sharing and contact syncing
  • Purchase permissions and saved payment methods
  • Screen time and bedtime settings
  • Reporting and blocking tools

Learn more and explore resources

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