In partnership with the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, the Digital Wellness Initiative seeks to provide our community with resources and support to raise kids whose use of technology is healthy, intentional, and safe
We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Common Sense Connected Schools to provide additional resources to our parent and school community. Be sure to visit our Digital Wellness Initiative Resources.
To be notified of future events and related resources click here. For additional resources click here.
CURRENT EVENTS
Screen-Free Sleep Delaney Ruston, MD, and Lisa Tabb, the creators of the four Screenagers films and founders of the National Away for the Day movement (which advocates for keeping phones out of schools), have been calling for devices out of bedrooms since the first Screenagers movie. All four films address the issue in some form. Over the years, they have spoken with countless parents struggling with tech and bedtime battles, as well as teachers who report more students falling asleep in class than ever before. As a physician who cares for teens and adults, Ruston has also seen firsthand the epidemic of sleep loss in young people due to devices in the bedroom at night. For more information visit www.screenfreesleep.org
Wait Until 8th Support Wait Until 8th Pledge! Once 10 families have pledged to not give their child a smart phone until the end of 8th grade, Wait Until 8th will email other parents who have signed from your child’s grade to connect with each other. Individuals will receive a list of families delaying from your child’s grade and parent emails to connect your group. This helps you to support one another. There is strength in numbers! Help spread the word by sharing this information and flyer.
PAST EVENTS
Choosing and Managing Kids’ Personal Devices with guest speaker Sarah Gallagher Trombley of Digital Mom Media Hopewell Valley Central High School Media Center Debating whether to give your child a smartphone? Contemplating the pros and cons of smartwatches? Unsure how to set effective parental controls? Informative and practical talk with digital parenting expert and former Snapchat executive Sarah Gallagher Trombley. Drawing on her experience developing tools that help families navigate technology with confidence, Sarah shared smartphone alternatives available for kids, ways to approach parental controls on devices, and how to make the best choice for your family. Discussion on digital wellness and balancing technology usage with children. Session included physical examples of various devices for parents to see in person, as well as a Q&A Organized by the Hopewell Elementary and Toll Gate PTOs in collaboration with the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance's Digital Wellness Initiative and Hopewell Valley Regional School District. _______________
Relating with Kids & Tech: Building Bridges in a Digital World with Dr. Jill Richards, Director Comprehensive Mental Health Services An insightful evening exploring the intersection of parenting and technology. Rather than seeing screens as a barrier, Dr. Richards demonstrated how curiosity about your child’s digital world can lead to deeper, stronger relationships. The session equiped parents with the tools to make technology use healthy, safe, and intentional. By “getting in the know” about what your kids are doing online, modeling digital wellness and turning screen time into bonding time. In partnership with the Pennington Public Library, the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance's Digital Wellness Initiative. _______________
Tech Night In How well do you know your child’s digital world? Tech Night In is a community-wide invitation for families to step into each other’s tech spaces to spark conversation and creativity. Technology doesn’t have to be a wall between us—it can be a bridge. Instead of scrolling solo, we’re providing the prompts to help you explore together. For suggestions to help you move from “passive users” to “active creators” alongside your kids and to plan for your tech night, visit Pennington Public Library - Tech Night In Presented in partnership with the Pennington Public Library, Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance, Digital Wellness Initiative,and Hopewell Valley Regional School District. _______________
Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition Screening and Discussion Media Center at Hopewell Valley Central High School Through insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, "Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition" reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions for empowering kids to navigate the digital world and find balance. Moderated discussion after the film. Free childcare (ages 4 and up). This film is appropriate for elementary students ages 7 and up. To view the flyer click here. Parent handout can be viewed here. Funding for this program has been provided by the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance. _______________
Summer Unplugging Tips! Looking for simple ways to disconnect from screens, look no further! Check out our curated Summer Unplugging Tips for fun, mindful ways to make the most of the season ('Make it an 80's Summer' is one of our favorites)! In addition we wanted to share some other summer resources from our community partner at Common Sense Media. The first is a just launched Summer Slide Survival Guide. Download the Common Sense Media app to get age-based picks built around your child's interests. Another great resource is Common Sense Media's Screen-Free Summer Fun activities for kids and teens to enjoy over the summer that don't require screens! _______________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar Recording The Future of Work: Understanding AI and Preparing Kids for a Rapidly Changing Economy Panelists discussed the fast-changing landscape of artificial intelligence, and encouraged parents, caregivers, and educators to embrace this new technology. How can you do that? By experimenting with AI tools and staying curious about how kids think about and use the tech in their lives. To best prepare kids for a workplace that is changing rapidly, the adults in their lives can change their mindsets from promoting fixed paths to nurturing foundational skills. Kids will need to learn, unlearn, and relearn throughout their lives, and their careers will evolve. But human-centric skills such as self-awareness, critical thinking, and passion will always be in demand. Moderated by: Robbie Torney, Senior Director, AI Programs, Common Sense Media Featured Speakers: Sophie Wade PhD, Futurist and Author of Empathy Works: The Key to Competitive Advantage in the New Era of Work & Audrey Wisch Co-Founder and CEO, Curious Cardinals _______________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar RecordingLiving with Teens and Social Media Teens have always pushed the boundaries of what their parents find acceptable or safe. (We know because we were once in high school ourselves!) Risky behavior is developmentally appropriate for teenagers, but worrying about it keeps us awake at night. What are our teens doing? How can we protect them, and how do we handle the mistakes they will inevitably make? Rather than sex, drugs, and rock and roll, today's families often stress over what they can't see so easily: tech and social media use. And it's complicated by the fact that there are no magic wand solutions to guarantee safety and balanced use. Most relevant for parents with kids currently on social media or soon to be using those platforms. Moderated by: Sue Thotz, Director of Outreach, Common Sense Media Featured Speakers: Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist and best-selling author & Christopher Pepper, health educator and author. _______________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar RecordingThe Fraught Future: Pressures and Stresses in Our Kids' Lives Kids may seem to be staring at their phones all the time, but make no mistake, they're feeling the weight of managing their own futures. Getting into college and choosing a career loom large, even as homework and a busy social life occupy their waking hours. How much pressure is too much for parents to impose? What if parents don't stress achievement enough? Knowing how much to encourage each child is a high-wire act, and concerns about the mental health implications are always in the back of a parent's mind. A new Common Sense research report presented a national survey about kids and how they feel about the pressures of achievement culture. This livestream conversation unpacked how technology both amplifies and relieves different pressures, and how friendship adds to the complex mix. Featured speakers: Emily Weinstein PhD., Co-founder and Executive Director, The Center for Digital Thriving, Harvard Graduate School of Education & Jennifer Breheny Wallace, Author of Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic _______________
Anxious Generation "Spark Notes" Talk Tollgate Grammar School Zoom discussion, The Anxious Generation written by NYU professor Jonathan Haidt on the great "rewiring" of childhood and rise in mental illness due to use of smart phones, social media and overprotective parenting. "Spark Notes" session on The Anxious Generation presented by local pediatrician and fellow Toll Gate parent, Dr. Katherine Doyle. Dr. Doyle - highlighted the main ideas within the book and offerered a brief reflection on how our community can embrace changes to create a healthier environment for our children. _______________
Common Sense Media Parent Webinar RecordingOnline Safety: Parenting Tips for Kids and Teens In today's connected world, helping kids and teens protect their privacy and maintain a positive online identity is critical to their future and overall well-being. 30-minute chat giving tips and tools on fostering a safer digital environment for your child, included actionable steps to empower them to make smart choices online. Key topics for you to support your child: -The importance of protecting your privacy online -Responsible online sharing practices and the power of your digital footprint -Safe and healthy online behavior Moderated by:Vicki Saylor, Senior Manager, Education and Community Partnerships, Common Sense Media Featured Speakers: Danielle Wilson-Saddler, Instructional Specialist, Community Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools & Jamie Nunez, Western Regional Manager, Common Sense Education _______________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar Recording: Back to School: Managing Digital Devices for a Successful School Year As the back-to-school season begins, it's time to bring back healthy habits with media and technology. During summer, many of us spend more time on screens, and reestablishing healthy tech habits can seem overwhelming. Common Sense Media provided practical tips and tools, like Family Tech Planners, to make it easier to have conversations about screen time and help foster a healthier relationship with technology. Setting rules and expectations early on can support your family's digital well-being, setting kids up for success in the school year and beyond. Moderated by: Vicki Saylor, Senior Manager, Education and Community Partnerships Featured Speakers: Tali Horowitz, East Coast Education Director, Common Sense Education and Dery Rodriguez, Director of Family Engagement, NYC Department of Education _______________
School's Out! Reset Your Family's Tech Habits this Summer Webinar Recording Featuring a lively discussion with Dr. Jacqueline Nesi & Dr. Emily Weinstein in conversation with Common Sense's Merve Lapus. Emily and Jackie offered creative ways for parents and caregivers to guide their families to more productive, intentional time together—with and without technology. Doing a "values sort" and creating a fun bucket list will give kids more agency in how family time is spent and can reduce conflicts around screen time. And our panelists stressed focusing on the 5 S's—skills, service, sleep, socializing and self-care—which are evidence-based elements that can help kids build self-esteem and purpose, and support their mental health. Resources referenced during the webinar, intended to support your parenting journey around this topic: "Values Sort" family activity, click here for a downloadable paper worksheet, here for the related app. Free Family Tech Planners to help you codify your rules and expectations around device use together (includes conversation starters) Age-appropriate ratings and review for great summer reads and selections for your next movie night Emily Weinstein's Center for Digital Thriving at Harvard Jackie's blog, Techno Sapiens, and her article about Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation School's Out! is part of Common Sense's Connected Schools parent and caregiver education programming. Full playlist of past webinars, covering a wide range of topics, from the impact of artificial intelligence to guidance about when to give a child a phone. _____________
Operation Parent: The Truths of Youth Screen Addiction Are you noticing your child's screen time creeping out of control? Eye-opening webinar with Mike Eiden breaking down the science behind youth screen addiction and spotting the signs. Discovered how excessive gaming, social media scrolling, pornography, and other screen habits affect development. Plus, obtained practical tips for intervention and prevention that can implement at home. Handouts and resources _____________
Tech Talks at Toll Gate: Spring Parent Series Tollgate Grammar School HVRSD Elementary Parents invited to discuss healthy use of technology, and get tips from the Digital Wellness Initiative, Middle School Administrators, Students and Parents! Session I: Parenting and Technology: What do I need to Know? Presented by Dr. Suze Palinski, MD. Recording and resource Session 2: Getting Ready to Give a Device? Presented by Principal Melissa Lauri Learned about device options and imperative conversations to have with your children before middle school. Session 3: Popular Apps and Peer Pressure presented by Central High School student panel Session 4: Habits and Rules to Set For Young Children and Their Devices Included a didactic session and an in-person hands on workshop with assistance from knowledgeable volunteers! Attendees encouraged to bring their questions AND their child’s tablet, watch, phone, gaming console, or other device. Looked at parental controls and shared experiences on how best to use them. In person and webinar options. _____________
The Hows and Whys of the Impact of Technology on our Children’s Healthy Development presented by Laura Berness, PhD How do I know if my child’s development is being affected by technology? Why do some kids seem to get more easily addicted to technology than others? How is technology affecting our family? Why don’t kids understand the responsibilities and consequences that come with technology? How can I nurture all of my child’s development in the age of technology? In the rapidly evolving world of technology, these are just some of the many questions that today’s parents are facing. Workshop provided parents with facts around the connection between technology and our children’s development. Explored answers to these questions in the context of childhood development, with consideration of our children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs. Put ourselves in our children’s brains to better understand how technology affects them in different ways and how we need to protect our children’s development through informed, thoughtful parenting. Active discussion to address parents’ questions and concerns. Target audience - parents of children inelementary and middle school _____________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar: Toxic Online Culture: Unpacking the Influence of Social Media, Memes, Gaming (and more) The online world in which our kids are immersed is a mixed bag. It's full of connections to friends and avenues for learning, as well as wonderful reminders of the beauty of the world. But there are also toxic elements that pop up in gaming chat rooms, through viral jokes and memes, and across social media. The ubiquity of these elements, and the fact that they occur in private spaces, means that they’re often undetectable by parents. Delved into the troublesome side of being online, including racial slurs, body image issues, and misogyny that can affect all kids. Helped parents understand why these influences have power over kids, and offered strategies for opening up conversations that will help kids manage the feelings and pressures they face. Designed for parents and caregivers of tweens and teens. Panel Participants and Moderator: Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, bestselling author, New York Times and CBS News Contributor, Christopher Pepper, award winning health educator, & Merve Lapus (moderator), Vice President, Common Sense Educator _______________
Global Day of Unplugging! Up your game with your tech habits! Whether it is 1 hour or 24 hours, at some point during the first weekend of March, join the thousands of people in multiple countries who will step away from their screens and intentionally shift into an offline activity, an in-person interaction, a real-life gathering or simply a meaningful conversation about their relationship with technology. What to do on Global Day of Unplugging? Attend the HVCHS Musical Production, How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying. If you have a middle schooler, attend Timberlane Middle School’s Family Game Night. Many other ideas can be found here. Take this day to carve out precious time to unplug, relax, reflect, be active, visit the outdoors, and connect with loved ones. _______________
Connected Schools Parent Webinar Recording: The Download on Device Adoption: The Skills Your Children Need Before Getting a Smartphone Llvely discussion with Common Sense's Head of Research Amanda Lenhart, Common Sense's Director of Family Engagement & Partnerships Jasmine Hood Miller, & Devorah Heitner, PhD, author ofGrowing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World. The conversation combined personal experience (each of the panelists is a parent!) with practical expert advice about the many considerations that go into decisions about devices in the home. Kids go online through gaming platforms and iPads long before they have cellphones, so the discussion focused on engaging them in ongoing conversations about the best ways to communicate online—a process that works best if it's started long before kids are handed their own fully connected device. _______________
Parent University Screens, Social Media and Mental Health presented by Ms. Samantha Awadallah, MS, LPC, Rutgers School Based Clinician for HVRSD _______________
Digital Pause 3-Day Challenge A community challenge! Take a break from the digital world! What would a day without phones look like? Research shows that digital devices impact our mental health. _______________
Digital Wellness Parent Talk Toll Gate Elementary Media Center Research shows that digital devices impact our mental health - A conversation with local parent Suze Palinski, MD, a member of Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance's Digital Wellness Initiative, and special guest Dr. Kate Doyle. Discussion included opportunities and challenges facing families when it comes to smartphones and digital wellness. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. _______________ Digital Wellness Parent Talk Hopewell Elementary Media Center Hopewell Elementary PTO and the Digital Wellness Initiative invited former HES parent and pediatrician Suze Palinski, MD to discuss technology's effects on things like sleep, mental health, and social skill development. Are screen time or technology use leading to frustration in your family? Provided resources, what's worked for other families, what Timberlane Middle School faculty and administrators are concerned about, and what steps you can take to raise kids whose use of technology (gaming, devices, social media and the internet) is healthy, intentional and safe. _______________
LIKE Documentary and Panel Discussion Hopewell Valley Central High School Performing Arts Center Community free screening of LIKE, a film about the effects of social media on our lives. The film explored the effects of technology and social media on the brain, our lives, and our civilization, and how to navigate them more safely together. Appropriate for ages 11 and up. TIP SHEETS and Post-documentary panel discussion. _______________
Max Stossel presents Social Media and Your Kids Hopewell Valley Central High School Performing Arts Center An award winning poet, filmmaker and speaker, Max Stossel was named by Forbes as one of the best storytellers of the year. Mr. Stossel, Chief Executive Officer of Social Awakening spoke to students at Timberlane Middle School about ways technology is designed to be addictive and distracting.