Online safety and the impact of digital technology on child and adolescent brain development were some of the topics discussed during “Navigating a Digital World through Parent-Child Partnerships,” a digital wellness event sponsored by King’s Digital Wellness Committee.

The event, which took place on Thursday, November 3, in the Upper School Murray Academic Center, offered student and parent workshops as well as panel discussions led by experts in the field and King teachers and staff.

English teacher Daniel Block, one of the chairs of the committee and King’s Digital Wellness Coordinator, presented “Shift Your Mindset and Create a Family Technology Plan: Navigating a Digital World with Your Child.” 

Block acknowledges that nothing replaces the value of face-to-face interactions but recognizes that technology is a reality in the lives of children. He hopes to help families engage in productive and constructive conversations about digital wellness. 

“Digital technology remains relatively new; adults are still figuring out how to give young people the tools they need to be healthy, productive, and socially responsible when they are online.”

During his presentation, Block guided parents through the steps they can take to create a family technology plan with their children and work together to identify their shared goals and challenges related to digital technology. 

Director of Technology Innovation and Integration and Chair of Computer Science Craig Tunks joined forces with Computer Science and Digital Applications teacher Sue Laramie and spoke to students about data safety, the importance of reliable sources, social media privacy, and appropriate online conduct.

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Daniel Glass, a  licensed psychologist and Director of Clinical Training at the Sasco River Center, and Dr. Ethan Rothstein, Sasco River Center’s Senior Supervising Psychologist. 

King’s Digital Wellness Committee is a cross-divisional group of faculty members created 18 months ago and committed to cultivating a culture of digital wellness across King's lower, middle, and upper school divisions. 

After the success of the first event, the committee plans to organize additional presentations and workshops next fall.

Click here to learn more about the evening’s program and the Digital Wellness Committee.