Lately, children have been making more and more references to content they are viewing on digital devices. Specifically, they are talking about games such as Fortnite, as well as videos viewed on YouTube and TikTok. They are also discussing who they are and aren’t “following” on social media.

There are no shortage of books and articles advising us that our digital native children are becoming addicted, detached, or distracted by their digital devices, or, alternately, that this technology is offering children new opportunities for creativity and broader, positive, social engagement. Regardless of our own point of view about the use of technology, our children need our guidance to navigate it’s use.

We hope you’ll join us on February 20th, from 6:30 to 8:00 to discuss how we can use our life experience to support our children in becoming responsible digital citizens.

We’ll use Devorah Heitner’s book, Screenwise, and the discussion questions to anchor our conversation.

You can find the book in your local bookshop. It is also available on Amazon.

Childcare will be provided for a fee of $5.00. Please RSVP to Sue at sue@woodlandmontessorischool.com if you will attend and whether you will need child care.

Screenwise Discussions Questions

1. Have you ever felt pressure from your kids or the wider community to get a new device? How do you deal with that pressure?

2. Looking at what your children are doing on devices/technology – What is their current ratio of creativity versus consumption?

3. Have you ever tried any of their games or apps? What did you enjoy? Were you impressed by their knowledge/abilities?

4. How do you decide when/how much your child will be allowed to use an app?

5. Relationships: Does your child currently have any relationships with a digital component (i.e. Minecraft with friends, texting, group chat/social media musically or school-based apps like Google apps, Edmodo, etc.)?

6. Have you ever observed your kid being inconsiderate or mean—does their personality change? Have they mentioned/have you observed other kids being inconsiderate or unkind?

7. Time Management: Are you concerned about your kid’s time management? Thinking about your kids—how much do they currently understand about double screening/multi-‐tasking? How can you help them co-‐create solutions? What are the ways you address your own digital distractions? Have you shared these with your children?

8. Have you talked with them about the idea of “digital footprint”? How well do they understand this idea?