Ebony Bagley - Internet Wellness Advocate - Blog

As a millennial mom who grew up alongside the internet (back when we had to fight for dial-up time and hope no one picked up the phone), I know firsthand that the digital world is equal parts amazing and chaotic. Recently, I glanced at a chat between my daughter and her friends—what they saw as harmless jokes could have easily been misinterpreted. Cue my mini heart attack. It was a wake-up call for both of us: them realizing that words can take on a whole new meaning online, and me realizing that parenting in the digital age is basically a full-time job... with no PTO. The Reality of the Digital Footprint The internet never forgets. Kids need to understand from the moment they go online that their devices are not private journals or diaries. Anything they post, send, or even joke about can be taken out of context, screenshotted, and follow them forever. The digital footprint they create today could impact their future opportunities, relationships, and even their mental well-being. Beyo...

There’s nothing like a good family movie night to bring everyone together. As someone who proudly claims my status as an '80s baby and ‘90s kid, I can tell you that some of my best childhood memories were made via a good Blockbuster night with the family. These were the moments that shaped me and helped to connect us as a family. Fast forward to today, and I’m the one making the popcorn and picking the movies—but the heart of it hasn’t changed. Family movie nights are still about laughter, learning, and maybe even a little dancing if the soundtrack hits just right (Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” anyone?). Black History Month is the perfect excuse to make this tradition meaningful by diving into stories that celebrate our culture, explore our history, and inspire important conversations. Bonus? You can sneak in some education while the kids think they’re just hanging out. A win is a win!! So, dust off your VHS tapes (just kidding—or am I?) or fire up your streaming service,...

As an internet wellness advocate and mom, let me start with this: TikTok and Snapchat aren't evil. But it’s not safe for your third grader or my fifth grader to do dance challenges unsupervised and doom scroll either. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “Oh, they’re just scrolling—it’s harmless,” you’re being naive!! Let’s get real: handing these apps over to younger kids is like giving them the keys to a car before they’ve had driving lessons and Snapchat makes kids think their snaps disappear forever, but that’s simply not true. Screenshots, screen recording, or third-party apps can save snaps without even notifying the sender. This false sense of privacy can lead to risky behavior and even extortion. Here are three solid reasons why your kids don't need these apps too soon: 1. The Algorithm Is a Master Manipulator TikTok specifically doesn’t just show funny dog or cooking videos. Its algorithm hooks users with hyper-curated content. The problem? Your child’s developing bra...

The upcoming TikTok ban and Florida’s new social media restrictions really caught me by surprise. As a mom and someone who cares deeply about internet wellness, I get it. I’ve seen the risks, the chaos, the distractions and the division. The New York Times recently highlighted, how social media is amplifying problems like school fights, turning what should be teachable moments into viral entertainment. A review of more than 400 fight videos - found a pattern of middle and high school students exploiting their phones and social media to arrange, provoke, capture and spread footage of brutal beatings among their peers.  But I also can’t ignore the other side—the ways this platform and others have brought unexpected joy, connection, success and learning into so many lives, including my own. Since joining TikTok, I’ve become a better cook, a more organized person, and way more informed about current events than ever before. Listening to perspectives of people all around the world thos...

Lately, I’ve been floored by how desensitized we’ve become to things that used to shock us. Serious topics get treated like punchlines, and instead of focusing on the real issues—like the fact that we have an election coming up in less than 45 days!!! News outlets are busy discussing "freak-offs" like it’s normal conversation. It’s absolutely ridiculous. Where did the professionalism go? As someone who used to work in news, it’s wild to see how much things have changed. TV and social media feel like one big reality show now, and throw AI into the mix, and its hard to tell what’s real anymore. What really gets me is seeing parents and adults on the TikTok dancing alongside their young kids to songs full of cuss words and suggestive lyrics for likes, especially that Bossman DLow one..."SMH!" Or, watching skits and shows that used to be for "adults only" now being reproduced for content and likes by kids.  But then, we turn around and act surprised when these...

Hey friends! It's been a minute since I've had the chance to sit down and blog. Why? Because LIFE this summer has been a whirlwind. Camps, parties, work trips and trying to keep up a social life of my own...it was a lot. And let's be honest, there's still so much I didn't get around to. To top it off, my best friend is getting married in Cartagena, Colombia, and mentally, I'm already there!!! Trying to balance travel plans, family activities, and work...whew! And then came August—what August? I blinked, and we were already back to school. On the bright side, both of my kids are at the same school this year! Kristopher started kindergarten, and Khloe is in 5th grade. New school year, new level of parenting unlocked! With back to school comes a tech reset in the Bagley household. Let me be honest: our summer was all about flex time when it came to screen time. During the day, the kids are mostly offline, working on review activities or playing indoors or outside. ...