Devorah Heitner on her book "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in the Digital Age"

 The Glenbard Parent Series hosted Devorah Heitner in a presentation based on her book Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in the Digital Age on Sept. 28 at Glenbard West.

Glendale Heights Police Office Michele Cahill appreciated the suggestion that even if parents don't know how a device operates they can be more explicit about teaching kids what to do rather than what not to do. We as adults may not always have the technology "expertise" but we do have the knowledge base and life experience to offer ground rules, and support. 

When kids say "You don’t know what I’m going through” a good response is “You’re right, I haven’t lived through that, but I have lived through conflict and resolved it." When on the phone adults should consider explaining to their kids what they are dong. Its a chance to offer guidance-which in the teen years means listening more than speaking.

Glenbard East parent Don Westerholm appreciated that we need to mentor rather then monitor and also model good technology behaviors A true mentor  is interested in what their mentee(child) can do (with technology) and shows interest. Ask questions; ask the child to help you with your privacy settings; watch them engage in their favorite technology outlets (e.g., your child may be famous in their World of Warcraft circle or YouTube channel, and you might not even know it!)



Web site for Raising Digital Natives

Parent Notes from "Screenwise" with Devorah Heitner