safety Archives - HOPEFUL MOM

May 18, 2026May 15, 2026

The Importance of Real-Life Community in a Social Media World

A great tragedy of our day is that many of us want to be loved, but we’re terrified of being known. ~ The Wolf in Their Pockets

Community matters. People we interact with—friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, random people on the street—influence us. Surroundings impact beliefs, thoughts, and opinions, as well as physical and mental health. All these factors contribute to behavior.

In short, adults and teens alike should choose friends wisely and engage with others who support healthy choices frequently.

Where do we find these friends?

March 17, 2025March 14, 2025

You’re Making a Difference!

International Women’s Day is in March. To be honest, I didn’t know that was a thing until recently. I received an email from Defend Young Minds, an organization devoted to developing tools to help raise screen-smart kids, saying they “wanted to recognize the amazing women leading the charge in child safety, advocacy, and education.” They listed me as one of the 20 Inspiring Women Dedicated to Making Life Safer for Kids. They thanked me for the impact I’m making in this space.

My jaw hit the floor. Really. Because, while I know Kristen Jenson, Best Seller Good Pictures, Bad Pictures and Founder of Defend Young Minds, her influence is far, far (far!) greater than mine. And when I read the list of women, I saw pioneers who paved the way for people like me. They lead the charge against big corporations. They fly to Washington DC to lobby for our children’s safety. They make a difference!

I hadn’t thought of myself as one of those women. One dedicated to making life safer for kids.

November 29, 2021November 24, 2021

How to Protect Your Kids Online with Holistic Online Safety

We are privileged to welcome Fareedah Shaheed, also known as CyberFareedah, to Difficult Conversations. I met her at the NCOSE Summit this past summer and was immediately drawn in by her smile and upbeat personality. Fareedah approaches online safety from a positive perspective, helping parents get over the scary parts. Be sure to check out her Safe Kids Movement website.

Protecting your kids online can be a daunting task. And the rise of online crimes against children makes everything even scarier. But with the rise in fear comes a rise of hope. And to truly protect your kids online you’ll need a lot of hope, love, and patience.

This is why I believe in holistic online safety. Holistic online safety means giving your kids the freedom that they want and the safety and security that they need. Holistic online safety is the foundation of fully protecting your kids online without losing your sanity or peace. In fact, the whole premise is to make it easier for you and your kids to maintain online safety while also cultivating a beautiful relationship with each other.