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Meet Your Neighbor: Linda Fogg Phillips
By Callie Thomas
It seems as though everyone has gone “social.” Who’d have thought that in six short years, 500 million web users would become active in what has been deemed by Compete.com as the most widely used social network in the world? Yes, Facebook has emerged as the new way for young and old alike to connect, and anyone age thirteen and up can join in on the “friendly exchange.” With that fun, however, comes a whole new set of rules for participating safely in the information super highway. Furthermore, there are some important safe guards that everyone, especially parents, should know of in order to protect their young ones. Resident of 89148, author, public speaker, philanthropist, wife and mom of eight, Linda Fogg Phillips has made it her career to ensure the safety of our children online. “One of my objectives is to help parents understand Facebook and other forms of technology that their children use,” says Phillips. “I also teach parents and adults best practices when using social media and how to protect their children online.”
Linda Fogg Phillips is the author of two books, Facebook for Parents: Answers to the Top 25 Questions and The Facebook Guide for Parents, which will be released in March. Additionally, for the Online Therapy Institute, she writes the Facebook curriculum for Psychologists and Parents. “I personally had the need to understand and learn more about the virtual world that our children live in and are natives of in order to ensure their safety,” she said. “This motivated me to jump into social media and study it from a parent’s perspective.” Phillips was invited to Stanford University to both teach a course and conduct new research on her subject through the Persuasive Technology Lab called Facebook for Parents. As the main headquarters for the social media giants is in Palo Alto, California–mere minutes from the University–her regular commute from Las Vegas to Stanford University has proved very fruitful. She has developed a strong working relationship with the network. “Facebook recognizes me as their strongest critic and greatest advocate.”
With children aged 12 to 27, Linda has no shortage of experience in the highs and the lows of parenting. “I have had much experience raising children with challenges–children with learning disabilities, ADHD, leukemia and the loss of my 20 year old son in 2008 to an accidental overdose.” That devastating experience became a catalyst for Linda’s overall aim: reaching out to parents and helping them understand the needs of their children whilst strengthening their relationships. It is also why Phillips chooses to support charitable organizations that benefit children in need. PTAs, PTOs, church youth groups, Candlelighters, Best Buddies and Team in Training are just a few of her charitable outings. Linda has also coached girl’s softball and currently runs equine horse camps for children.
A specific organization that holds a special place in her heart is CHOICE Humanitarian where she is a very active board member. The aim of this group is to provide sustainable development in third world countries. “I’m responsible for the development in Guatemala,” Phillips said. “We take people to remote villages where the natives do not have electricity, running water and live on dirt floors in small huts. We build schools, medical clinics, churches, water systems and bring in medical care when needed.” She has also been known to bring her children with her on expeditions “so they can learn to serve others that are not as fortunate as they are,” Linda said. “It has helped to teach my children how one person can make a positive difference in someone’s life.”
Besides being a mother, humanitarian and advocate for security within the social media realm, Linda Fogg Phillips speaks to and teaches groups both big and small here in Las Vegas and all over the map. Her favorite quote is, “Service is the rent we pay for living,” but those are just words; her actions speak much louder. “The best way to help a child build his self esteem is by providing him opportunities to serve his community. Example is the best teacher.”
