I’m delighted to present on this critical topic Saturday, January 11, 2020. The meeting includes presentations by local law enforcement officer Joe Allen and myself. We will meet from 10am-12pm at 1101 North Central Avenue, Glendale, CA. The event is sponsored by James Corrigan a local scout who has put together this summit to meet requirements for his Eagle Scout award.

I have been involved with teaching children and adults about computers and responsible use of technology since 2000 when I began teaching computer classes at local area schools. As my career path has shifted, so has my understanding of the more nuanced reasons for screen safety. Specifically, screen use impacts our brains. Young brains are more susceptible to harm from screens, and need more protection and support.

In my presentation I recommend three excellent resources selected from literally hundreds of excellent web resources.

First: Common Sense Media at commonsensemedia.org Their Family Media Agreement can be found by following this link.

Second: Tech Talk Tuesdays at Screenagers

and Third: Dan Siegel, MD at drdansiegel.com

I invite you to click around, sign up for emails (especially from Tech Talk Tuesdays) and embrace the reality of technology and screens and wifi in our lives.

The majority of my presentation will be focused on this 10 minute TED talk by Dr. Adam Alter. He highlights some critical information about the disappearance of natural “stopping cues” in our technology consumption. It is incumbent on us as adults/parents/leaders to learn to create and honor our own stopping cues and to pass these skills to future generations.

Sadly, many of us are discovering that we have already become more dependent on our screens than we may like. The steady stream of dopamine hits we receive in games, social media and other blue light driven technology has resulted in difficulty solving problems, irritability when screen time ends, turning to tech when feelings overwhelm us and more. If you feel like you’d benefit from additional support as you reassess your relationship with your screen, reach out. I’d be honored to help.