As technology continues to shape everyday life, families are navigating a world where online safety has become just as important as teaching kids to look both ways before crossing the street. For BVT’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Angie Armstrong, the issue is both personal and professional. “As parents, it’s our responsibility to understand what our kids are doing online,” she said. “But I hear all the time how overwhelmed parents are.” With children ranging from grown adults to a five-year-old at home, she’s experienced the full evolution of kids and technology. Her older children were among the first wave of teens accessing social media—back when parents were still trying to understand it. “If I could go back, I’d have limited more of their social media access in those earlier teen years,” she admitted. Fortunately, today’s tools make it easier. She encourages parents to start with the basics: Set controls on the home WiFi router, explore screentime settings on devices, and adjust privacy settings in kids’ favorite apps. BVT’s Worry-Free WiFi is one of her go-to solutions. “I can now create profiles for each family member, set schedules by profile or device, and apply content filters across our entire network. I even get alerts when a new device connects.” Finding balance is key. Kids need to learn technology skills, but they also need boundaries. For older elementary students, tweens, and teens, she recommends additional filtering tools like Bark or Aura to allow some freedomwhile still alerting guardians about risky behavior. Her best advice for parents feeling overwhelmed: Take one step at a time and keep lines of communication open. “Map out a plan with your kids on what technology, games, or apps they are allowed to use and research how each one can be safeguarded. Educate them on the WHY behind developing a plan. It’s not because they aren’t trusted. It’s to keep them safe.” TECH TALK WITH ANGIE ARMSTRONG: Modern Parenting in a Connected World Block inappropriate content to devices on your network. Create work & school hours for your household to limit distractions. Schedule downtime hours, screen time limits & limit certain apps. PARENTAL CONTROLS NOW IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS 877.876.1228 WORRY-FREE WiFi i BLUEVALLEY.NET Meet Angie Armstrong Marketing and Community Relations Director Angie Armstrong has been part of the BVT family for more than two decades, starting as a summer intern in 2002. Today, she leads Marketing and Community Relations for BVT and Networks Plus, and oversees BVT Customer Service. Angie is passionate about serving and educating customers and communities, as well as helping people feel empowered rather than intimidated by technology. “I love working for a company with a cooperative mentality,” she said. “Our purpose is to serve our customers and communities. And in the technology industry, no two days are ever the same. There’s always something new to learn!” Her favorite part of the job? Angie replied, “Knowing that what we do every day keeps the people and businesses in our rural communities connected to resources and opportunities.” A graduate of Kansas State University, Angie holds a degree in Mass Communications with an outside concentration in Marketing. She and her husband, Justin (Duke), have three children: Maggie, Brock, and Emmett. Outside of work, Angie enjoys volunteering and staying active in her church and community.
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