School and Community Talks

In the late 2010s, I started investigating the impact of screens on New Zealand kids. Over time, I became increasingly concerned with how technology, particularly smartphones and social media, interferes with wellbeing and development.

Although I am often asked to discuss this topic in the media, what I am truly passionate about is talking about this complex issue with parents and communities and exploring the ways in which we can support children, teens, and families to thrive in the digital world.

Talks

I give two different talks about screen use and kids. These talks can be run as fundraising events for the community.

Older kids: This presentation centers on smartphones and social media use and is appropriate for primary, intermediate, and secondary schools. The first part of the talk delves into how social media and other tech are designed, how teens develop, and how these two often aren’t compatible. The second part of the talk is solution-focused, aiming to empower parents and communities to navigate the digital environment effectively and make informed decisions for the wellbeing of their kids.

Younger kids: This presentation targets parents of kindergarten and early primary school children, addressing various screen use topics from TVs to smartphones. It explores how screens impact early childhood development and provides a holistic parenting approach emphasising the importance of nurturing a strong parent-child relationship.