Author: Jeanette

Recognizing the Invisible: Understanding Domestic Abuse Beyond the Bruises October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, a time to recognize the realities of domestic violence, support survivors, and remind our community that abuse is not always easy to see. While physical violence may leave visible injuries, many forms of abuse leave no outward marks at all. Emotional manipulation, intimidation, isolation, and financial control can quietly take hold behind closed doors, often without friends, family members, or neighbors realizing what is happening. Here in Fort Dodge and throughout Webster County, we take pride in being a community that looks out for one…

When Something Doesn’t Feel Right: How Safe+Sound Iowa Gives Students and Families a Voice What if a student sees something concerning, but doesn’t know who to tell? Maybe a student hears a classmate talking about hurting themselves. Maybe someone sees a concerning message or post on social media. Maybe a student knows about a weapon at school, hears about a planned act of violence, or notices behavior that makes them genuinely worried about someone’s safety. Sometimes the hardest part isn't recognizing that something is wrong. It’s knowing what to do next. That’s where Safe+Sound Iowa comes in. Safe+Sound Iowa is…

Safe Communities CornerDoes AI Control Us, or Do We Control It?Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of our everyday lives. We use it to answer questions, write, create images, solve problems, find information and make our lives a little easier.But as AI becomes more powerful, there is an important question we should all be asking:Are we using AI, or are we allowing AI to influence us without even realizing it?Recently, I was reminded just how easily AI-generated content can influence people.A Photograph That Wasn't RealI came across a photograph involving a political candidate who is running on a platform of…

AI: A Deeper Dive Into the Consequences What Parents Need to Know About How AI Can Affect the Way Children See, Think, and Understand the World Artificial intelligence is changing the world around us. It can help us learn, create, solve problems, and connect—but it also creates new challenges, especially for children who are still developing the skills needed to evaluate information and understand what they see online. Our graphic looks at eight ways AI can influence us and the potential consequences. 1. AI Blurs the Line Between Reality and Fiction We can lose confidence in our ability to tell…

Artificial intelligence is becoming a part of childhood at a pace many parents may not realize. For kids and teens, AI isn't just a tool for homework, finding information, or creating pictures. Increasingly, young people are turning to AI chatbots and companions for advice, reassurance and answers to deeply personal questions. New research from Thorn provides a revealing look at just how quickly this is happening. In its 2025 Youth Perspectives on Online Safety survey, published in July 2026, Thorn surveyed 1,003 U.S. minors ages 9–17. Sixty-seven percent said they had used an AI chatbot or companion. More than 1…

The Life of Artificial Intelligence: From Science Fiction to Everyday LifeArtificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept, it's quietly reshaping the world around us every day. From unlocking your phone with your face to the recommendations on your favorite streaming service, AI has become part of everyday life. What began as a bold scientific dream has grown into one of the most influential technologies of our time, changing how we work, learn, create, and communicate. Understanding where AI came from, and where it's taking us next, has never been more important.The Birth of an IdeaThe idea of creating…

Social Media and AI: Can You Still Trust What You See? Artificial intelligence has transformed social media in just a few short years. Every day, millions of AI-generated images and videos are created and shared across platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. While there is currently no way to determine exactly what percentage of your social media feed is AI-generated, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the more AI content you watch, the more AI content the algorithms are likely to show you. Social media platforms are designed to keep you engaged. If you pause to watch an AI-generated…

Is It Really “Just” Screen Addiction?Take a moment and check your phone's screen time report. Were you surprised by the number? If so, you're not alone. Studies suggest that many people significantly underestimate how much time they spend on their devices each day. In a world where screens are woven into nearly every aspect of daily life, excessive screen use has become so common that it often feels normal. But just because something is common doesn't mean it's harmless.For many parents, the concern about screen time centers on grades, sleep, or social skills. While those issues are important, emerging research…

Making Summer Fun—and Safe—in the Digital Age Summer is a season kids look forward to all year. School is out, schedules are lighter, and long days create opportunities for fun, exploration, and independence. But for many parents, summer also brings a new challenge: managing increased screen time and the digital risks that come with it. With fewer structured activities and more unsupervised hours, children and teens often spend significantly more time online during the summer months. Whether they're gaming, scrolling social media, watching videos, or chatting with friends, that increased online activity can expose them to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, scams,…