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App workshop highlights growing trends in technology

Tue, 10/15/2019 - 12:44 pm
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    Shelbey Martinez, Family Support Specialist at Starry Counseling, presents a Powerpoint over apps that teens and children may use. Photo/Trevor M. Wyatt

“It’s fabulous, and terrifying at the same time, how much can be accomplished with technology today.”

Those words, from First United Methodist Church Jacksboro Reverend Samantha Parson, were echoed by parents at a workshop held on Oct. 7 at the church to better explain what their children may have on their mobile devices.

The meeting explained different apps used by children and teenagers, and attendees were given a list of apps not only used by children and predators, but another list of apps that parents can use to make sure their children are being cautious and safe. 

The church partnered up with Starry Counseling, a resource center in Wichita Falls that does work in Jack County as well. Starry Counseling works with families and children to provide free counseling to those who may need it but are unable to afford it.

The initial thought was that this would bring in people who were interested in the services provided by Starry Counseling, so Starry sent Shelbey Martinez, a support specialist at Starr.

“[Shelbey Martinez] asked what she could do to build clientele in Jacksboro,” Parson said, “and this seemed to be a good option. The original idea had actually come from them.”

Martinez said the idea came from her office, but not from the employees working there.

“Since we don’t currently have any clientele in Jacksboro we did not just want to come in and talk about depression or anxiety,” Martinez explained. “We came here to help people and we don’t want to steer them away. We did surveys in [Wichita Falls] to see what parents wanted to learn about. A lot of parents wanted to learn about social media so we came together and brainstormed, and thought that talking about apps that are on their children’s phone would be a good idea.”

The meeting was a success, according to Martinez. She said she was a stranger but was treated well by everyone in attendance.

“I had never met anyone in that room besides [Parson,] but that’s what I was there for,” Martinez said. “It was nice to meet people in Jacksboro and the surrounding communities so we can continue trying to build and maintain relationships. We have been attending the health action coalition meetings and if there’s ever an event presented we try to be there.”