Growing Up in A Phone-Based World: What It Looks Like and What Can Be Done

Presented by: Jo Ann Freiberg, Ph.D. and Pat Ciccone, C.A.G.S, L.P.C.

This interactive and graphic workshop explores the reality that children are growing up differently today… from a play-based to a phone/device-based world. This is a public health crisis, and it has landed on our school, organization and home doorsteps and will only be solved through collaboration among parents/ guardians, schools and organizations, public and private who can set standards and policy. Current research from myriad sources (e.g., The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pew Research Foundation, Jonathan Haidt’s, The Anxious Generation, etc.) are included to portray a very clear picture of both the problems and solutions. There is great damage to students’ overall growth and development including but not limited to, physical, social, mental health, learning and behavior because of this significant transformation. The basic need for belonging and high-quality relationships and community for students has been grossly diminished by the pervasive use of smartphones, social media and unfettered access to the internet. This transformation, AKA “rewiring” is laid out and the necessary concrete steps and strategies that adults must take to help children of all ages mitigate the potential harms presented. Unless targeted head-on, this new reality will continue to impact overall health and well-being negatively. In addition, this new reality works against community and relationship building as well as diminishes social growth and academic achievement.

Learning Objective

By the end of this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of:

• The impact of devices/smart phones on children aged birth – high school.
• The impact of social media on children aged elementary – high school.
• The recommended interventions and guidelines for healthy growth and development in a device-rich world.