08/14/2026
Think Before You Post is returning to Russell on August 20.
Chet Kuplen, founder of Think Before You Post and founder and CEO of Sports in Kansas and Schools in Kansas, will return to Russell for the third time since 2020, continuing a relationship with a school district that has been great to work with over the years.
Since launching Think Before You Post in 2019, Kuplen has delivered more than 900 presentations across the Midwest and beyond, making it one of the fastest-growing and most recognized school assembly programs in the country.
Recently recognized by Ingram’s as one of the “50 Kansans You Should Know,” Kuplen’s message focuses on helping students navigate today’s digital world through conversations about digital citizenship, online reputation, cyberbullying, artificial intelligence, social media, leadership, mental health, texting and driving, and responsible decision-making.
The message takes on even more importance as Kansas schools enter a new era with bell-to-bell restrictions on student cellphone use during the school day. While removing phones from the classroom can eliminate distractions during school hours, the issues surrounding social media and technology don’t disappear when the phone gets put away.
“Taking phones out of the school day can be a positive step, but the problems don’t stop because the phones stop,” Kuplen said. “Students still get their phones back. The group chats are still there. The screenshots are still there. Cyberbullying, fake accounts, AI-generated content and decisions that can impact a student’s reputation, education, athletics or future don’t disappear. If anything, education about responsible technology use becomes even more important.”
Think Before You Post doesn’t focus solely on fear or telling students to stay off social media. The program emphasizes responsibility, critical thinking and understanding the power students have when they use technology.
“Technology isn’t going away, AI isn’t slowing down and social media isn’t disappearing,” Kuplen said. “Our goal isn’t to tell students what they can’t do. We want them to understand what can happen from one post, one screenshot or one decision, while also showing them how these same platforms can be used to build something positive. I want students to leave with something they’ll actually remember before they hit ‘post.’”
“We’re excited to return to Russell for the third time since 2020,” Kuplen said. “Russell has been a great school district to work with over the years, and being invited back multiple times means a lot to us. The digital world students are growing up in has changed tremendously since our first visit, and the presentation continues to evolve with it. Every time we come back, the goal is to make sure the message reflects what students are actually dealing with right now.”
