Tech-Wise Parenting Summit

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Click here to see sneak previews of the summit interviews!

Are you prepared to guide your kids through the rapidly changing world of technology?

We want our kids to benefit from all technology offers, and we also know how important it is that they stay grounded in the real world. After all, we only get one childhood. Spending endless time on a screen denies a child of many of the experiences necessary for healthy growth and development.

We need strategies to safeguard children's and teen's mental health as technology and artificial intelligence become increasingly part of our daily lives.

In this series, experts in the field of parenting, mindfulness, neuroscience, technology, habit formation, and innovation will share strategies to help your kids navigate today’s digital landscape, while preparing them to embrace tomorrow's opportunities with confidence.

Our speakers address every aspect of raising kids in our increasingly complex digital world!

Establishing healthy routines

Technology is an integral part of our lives, offering countless benefits and opportunities. But young minds are vulnerable to forming an unhealthy dependence on their devices, making it vital that parents set clear, realistic guidelines for tech use.

Addressing mental health concerns

When kids are stressed, lonely, anxious, or depressed, they often turn screens for distraction, rather than reaching out for help and support. By staying aware of our kids' mental health and introducing self-compassion, we can help them avoid life-long challenges.

Using mindfulness & play to stay grounded

One of the greatest antidotes to compulsive screen use is downshifting into life's simple pleasures. Mindfulness, play, and pauses counterbalance the relentless input of a noisy world, helping us restore regulation, calm, and ease.

Maintaining strong parent-child connection

In the absence of a close parent-child connection, children can become overly dependent on online forums and peers for attachment support. Secure connection lets us offer our kids the guidance they need to use technology from a place of fullness, rather than lack and loneliness.

Understanding how AI may impact kids' lives

Developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence are unfolding at lightning speed, and few of us really understand what that means for our kids. It's vital we educate ourselves about what AI brings to our lives now, and as our kids move toward adulthood.

Adapting to change with confidence

Our children's adult lives will feature technologies, careers, challenges, and opportunities that none of us can yet imagine. While we can't prepare them for systems not yet created, we can help them develop the skills to be flexible, adaptable, creative, and innovative.

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Hear From The World's Leading Experts On Child Development, Attachment, Attention, Neuroscience, Mental Health, Technology, and Media

Jack Kornfield PhD

Buddhist teacher, co-founder of Spirit Rock

Trudy Goodman PhD
Dharma teacher, Founder of Insight LA

Daniel Siegel, MD
Author:
The Whole-Brain Child

Dr. Kristin Neff
Author: Fierce Self-Compassion, Professor

Dr. Rick Hanson
Author: Hardwiring Happiness

Delaney Ruston, MD
Physician, Filmmaker: Screenagers

Bzu Shiferaw
Fairplay Campaign Organizer

Merve Lapus
Common Sense Media

Fareedah Shaheed
Online safety advocate

Eben Pagan
Entrepreneur, tech investor

Tiffany Shlain
Author 24/6, Filmmaker

Dr. Anna Lembke
Academic and author of 'Dopamine Nation'

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe
Author: Parenting Right From The Start

Nir Eyal
Author: Indistractable

Catherine Price
Author, How to Break Up with Your Phone

Leslie Priscilla
Founder, LatinX Parenting

Hilarie Cash, PhD
Founder, reStart

Dr. Jean Twenge
Author, I-Gen

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Founder, Center for Connection

Melanie Hempe
Founder, ScreenStrong

Jean Rogers
Director, Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay

Dr. Mari Swingle
Author: I-Minds, neurotherapist

Brooke Shannon
Founder Wait Until 8th

Shimi Kang, MD
Author: The Tech Solution

Click here to read more about each of our speakers!

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MEET YOUR SUMMIT HOST

Susan Stiffelman, MFT

Susan Stiffelman is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child therapist, credentialed teacher and parent educator. She is the author of Parenting Without Power Struggles and Parenting With Presence (an Eckhart Tolle Edition.)

Susan offers online classes and events for parents around the world, hosts a monthly Parenting Without Power Struggles membership group, co-hosts a support group on Co-Parenting with a Narcissist, and delivers the popular Parenting Without Power Struggles podcast.

Tech-Wise Parenting Summit Previews

Here's a sneak peek at the summit conversations:

Dan Siegel

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Your Kids' Brains On Tech

Dan and Susan discussed the impact of technology on kids' and teens' brain development and emotional well-being. They emphasized that while technology can enhance connectivity and relationships, excessive screen time and curated social media images can lead to decreased well-being and comparison. For some kids and teens, this can lead to mental suffering and even suicidal thoughts.

Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman

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Maintaining our Humanity with Mindfulness

Trudy, Jack and Susan talked about the importance of being present, mindful, and connected with the natural world to maintain our humanity in the face of increasing technology, including artificial intelligence. They emphasized the value of teaching children to listen to their bodies and make mindful choices for themselves.

Tina Payne Bryson

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Setting Limits With Compassion

Tina and Susan discussed the importance of involving children in setting limits on screen time, encouraging open communication, problem-solving, and considering the addictive nature of tech. They emphasized the need for parents to help children reflect on their own experiences to make informed decisions about screen time.

Jean Rogers and Bzu Shiferaw

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Making Healthy Choices Around Screens

Jean, Bzu and Susan discussed the differing beliefs surrounding screen use, debunking myths and emphasizing the importance of empowering children to make healthy choices. They also discussed holding tech companies accountable for the addictive and harmful effects of their platforms on children.

Shimi Kang

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Developing Future-Ready Skills

Susan and Dr. Kang discussed the importance of developing resilience, collaboration, and adaptability. They also highlighted the concerning trends of stress, loneliness, and disruption, and emphasized the need for simple yet effective solutions such as sleep, hydration, and prioritizing brain-healthy activities.

Leslie Priscilla

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Connecting to Each Other and to Nature

Leslie and Susan discussed the challenges of raising children in the digital age, particularly for first-generation immigrants. They emphasized finding balance between technology use and real-life connections, and the need for parents to model this balance for their children. They also discussed connecting with nature and the healing power it brings to our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Fareedah Shaheed

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Empowering Kids to Stay Safe

Fareedah discussed the importance of teaching kids about privacy, sharing tips on how to help them engage safely in online gaming. They discussed balancing online gaming with offline activities, and talked about how parents can create open conversation with their kids as they set limits and boundaries around technology.

Catherine Price

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Real-World Fun

Catherine and Susan discuss how parents can provide alternatives to screen time with rituals and routines that generate fun for kids. Catherine explains the three elements of fun: playfulness, connection, and flow, and shares hpow parents can introduce activities that children are naturally drawn to – enticing them more naturally to leave their devices for real world enjoyment.

Rick Hanson

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Finding Screen Time Balance

Susan and Rick explored technology's impact on young people, acknowledging both its advantages and potential pitfalls. The conversation underscored the vital role of parents in being present, dedicating time, and showing genuine interest in their children's interests, even if it involves participating in activities like video gaming.

Anna Lembke

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The Power of Dopamine

Susan and Dr. Lembke discuss the role that dopamine or the reward pathways play in fueling compulsive or addictive behavior. They explore what’s going on in the brain when highly rewarding activities–like social media or video gaming–pour excessive dopamine into the system.

Nir Eyal

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Distraction-Proof Your Kids

Susan and Nir discussed strategies to help your kids prevent distraction and stay focused. They talked about techniques like surfing the urge, using mantras, and implementing the 10-minute rule to overcome distractions and improve productivity.

Mona Delahooke

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Using Polyvagal Theory to Manage Screen Time

Debbie Steinberg Kuntz and Mona Delahooke explore polyvagal theory and how we can use it as a tool to help our kids and teens learn to manage their time and experience on screens.

Mari Swingle

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Protecting Kids Online

Susan and Dr. Swingle discussed how parents can address the issue of children being exposed to inappropriate content online. They emphasized the need for open conversations, informed decision-making, and setting limits to ensure the safety and appropriate development of children in the digital age.

Merve Lapus

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Responsible Digital Citizenship

Susan and Merve discussed Common Sense Media and its mission to provide trustworthy information and resources for families navigating the world of media and technology. They also talked about the need for social media companies to take responsibility for preventing harm to young people online and making platforms less addictive for users.

Vanessa Lapointe

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The Gift of Boredom

Susan and Vanessa discussed the beauty and creativity that comes out of boredom, and how kids need to develop the muscle of boredom, rather than distract themselves with devices . They also talked about holding loving boundaries when kids and teens push back against rules around technology, and how our regulated presence gives kids space to experience feelings of disappointment in our compassionate presence.

Tiffany Shlain

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Tech Shabbat

Tiffany and Susan discussed the concept of implementing a technology-free day, inspired by Tiffany's experience with practicing the Jewish Sabbath. Tiffany found that taking a break from screens for 24 hours brought her a sense of calm, increased creativity, and improved relationships with her family, leading her to write a book about her experience.

Melanie Hempe

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Finding Screen Time Balance

Melanie shared the lessons she learned when her son dropped out of college because of his addictive video gaming. She emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs and the significance of early intervention. She advocates for seeking education, fostering a supportive community, and establishing clear boundaries.

Hilarie Cash

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The Importance of Real-World Connections

Hilarie shared some of the characteristics of internet addicted kids who have lost the ability to engage with the real world, highlighting some of the warning signs that would alert parents to the fact that their son or daughter may need support or interventions. She described some of the young people who have participated in the ReStart rehabilitation program, and shares the positive outcomes of those who once wanted only to stay in their room, disengaged from life, compulsively on their screens.

Eben Pagan

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Cultivating Flexiblity & Resilience

Susan and Eben discussed the changing world and the need to prepare children for a future of constant change and creativity. They emphasized the importance of reading, imagination, and developing problem-solving skills to navigate the evolving job market. They discussed the significance of parents being present and available for their children, as technology cannot replace the love and support provided by parents.

Delaney Ruston

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Balancing the Pros and Cons of Tech

Delaney and Susan discussed the challenges parents face in trying to limit their children's screen time, while also recognizing the importance of technology as a source of comfort and relief. They emphasized the need for parents to trust their instincts, break the stigma around mental health concerns, and actively engage with their children and teens to support healthy tech use.

Brooke Shannon

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Wait Until 8th

Brooke and Susan discussed Wait Until 8th, a movement for parents who want to delay introducing smartphones to their kids and preserve their childhood experiences. They highlighted the potential benefits of delaying phone ownership.

Jean Twenge

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The Significance of Real-World Relationships

Dr. Twenge and Susan discussed the impact of technology on the younger generation, specifically how the constant use of smartphones has led to less face-to-face interaction and a delay in traditional milestones like getting a job, leaving the house, and having relationships.

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