Is Social Media Friend or Foe? How it Connects Kids and Influences Their Development
Critical Topics in Parenting
This is the third webinar in this year’s free series, Critical Topics in Parenting, designed to address the most pressing issues facing families and children today.
Designed for parents and their children age 9 and older.
In partnership with The Children's Screen Time Action Network, a global coalition of practitioners, educators, advocates and parents working to reduce excessive and harmful screen use in childhood. The Action Network is a project of Fairplay. Learn more at www.screentimenetwork.org.
The pandemic accelerated social media’s prevalence in kids’ daily lives. For children whose positive sense of self comes through validation from others, social media can create a cycle of seeking approval and a downward spiral of loneliness, anxiety and depression. Research has shown this dynamic to be especially acute for girls.
In this webinar, we will explore how social media platforms are deliberately designed to influence behavior through persuasive design. How can parents and kids discuss using social media platforms in healthy ways while resisting the temptations built into their design?
We’ll discuss:
- Defining “persuasive design” – how technology is actually designed to create addicts and how to break this hold on children and teens.
- From a teen girl’s perspective, what is the draw of social media? How does social media affect kids’ sense of self and their developing identity?
- How can social media be used productively to help meet our kids’ need for connection along with other, non-technology focused activities?
- For girls and other kids who thrive on approval and validation through social media, what strategies should families use to find balance and foster healthy self-image and well-being?
Presenters:
- Dr. Criscillia Benford, Educator, Communications Consultant, and Children’s Screen Time Action Network Advisory Board member
- Celine Bernhardt-Lanier, high school senior, Co-author, Dear Parents: A Digital Well-Being Resource from Teens to Parents
Moderator:
- Robbye Fox, Certified PEP Parent Educator, independent college counselor and education consultant
The Critical Topics in Parenting series is made possible thanks to these sponsors:
Your Instructor
Dr. Criscillia Benford, Educator, Communications Consultant, and Children’s Screen Time Action Network Advisory Board member
Celine Bernhardt-Lanier, high school senior, Co-author, Dear Parents: A Digital Well-Being Resource from Teens to Parents
"I enjoyed the program. I really liked hearing the strategies and then a real life scenario that actually pertained to me and how to step-by-step use the strategy to solve the problem."
--Participant, PEP Online
"I liked it! It's not always easy to attend classes in-person, so the online class is very convenient and conducive for both parents to participate."
--Participant, PEP Online