Example Workshop and Presentation Descriptions

Plugged in Parenting: Empowering Students to Thrive Online and Offline (Full Day Parent Workshop)

In today's digital age, children are growing up in a world where technology is an integral part of their daily lives. As parents, it's essential to understand the potential risks and harms of excessive screen time and social media use, as well as how to create the conditions for our children to thrive both online and offline. This full-day workshop is designed to provide parents with the knowledge and tools to confidently support and mentor their children towards healthy relationships with technology. Throughout the day, we explore the following objectives:

• Understand the risks and harms of excessive screen time and social media use and how they can impact children.

• Learn how to evaluate media, apps, and games to determine their appropriateness for our children.

• Set boundaries around device and app use with family-media-agreements as well as digital tools.

• Develop strategies and mindsets for having calm conversations about online life including setting healthy boundaries and dealing with digital drama.

• Reflect on our own personal use of technology and how it may be impacting our children's attitudes and behaviors towards technology.

• Learn how to model healthy practices and habits and harness digital tools to be more mindful of our own screen use. 

Through a combination of learning experiences, group discussions, and hands-on activities, parents will leave with practical tools and resources for raising digital natives who can confidently navigate the digital world while staying healthy and safe.

The Truth About Screen-Time (2-hour parent Keynote)

In this fast-paced, interactive experience we separate fact from fiction while looking at the latest studies on issues such as technology addiction, gaming, cyberbullying, and anxiety. We will explore practical parenting strategies and mindsets for talking with your child and promoting healthy digital habits and positive online behavior. You will leave with a toolkit of resources to help you connect with your child and create a healthier and more balanced digital world for your family.

Smartphone Relationship Reboot: Reduce Distractions and Increase Intentional Use of your Mobile Device (1-hr faculty workshop)

Our personal technology habits are just as essential to our wellness as healthy eating and routine exercise. This interactive session invites you to participate in a Smartphone Relationship Reboot. Your phone can better serve your wellness, amplify your interests, and support your goals. In this session, you will learn how to make your phone “less attractive and less distractive,” while considering intentional and healthy technology habits that will empower you to be in control of your phone, instead of feeling overwhelmed by it. 

MS Digital Wellness Assembly: "Why Your Parents Are Freaking Out About Your Screentime, and What You Can Do About It," (1-hr MS Keynote)

This presentation for Middle Schoolers reviews the myriad of reasons parents are currently “freaking-out” about screentime. Along the way, students learn strategies that tweens and teens are successfully using to avoid screentime pitfalls and have a balanced healthy relationship with technology. Additionally, students plan for productive conversations with caregivers about their tech use that help build trust and respect.

HS Digital Wellness Assembly: "Who is Controlling Your Scrolling?"  (1-hr HS Keynote)

"Who Is Controlling Your Scrolling?" is a presentation that delves into the various ways technology can consume our time and distract us from our goals; it offers practical tools to counteract these effects. Participants will take part in an experiment that will help them to reflect on their phone use and social media habits while considering how they might use their devices more mindfully and effectively.  Finally, we'll share ideas for small changes that can have a huge impact on our health, focus, and even our future employability.