Do You Know What Your Children Are Doing Onscreen? Tools and Tips to Become a Media-Savvy Parent

Sponsored by Harvard Graduate School of Education

As the coronavirus pandemic placed a quarter of the world’s population under lockdown, millions of people went online for entertainment and more. Total internet hits surged by between 50% and 70%, according to preliminary statistics. According to Forbes magazine, “a sudden onset of new educational procedures shook up the online media habits inside many homes. Data shows that the need to teach kids and keep them occupied swept aside former rules regulating screen time and social media usage.” So the question is: what are kids doing with screens now in this COVID world, and what are the implications for their development and social and emotional well-being?

In this Learning Lab, we’ll examine some telling statistics as to what kids are doing, explore how parents can respond, and detail the importance of parents understanding the vital role media literacy now plays in our media-saturated world. Using data, film clips and commentary from experts in the field, this webinar will show you how you can be “screen-time savvy.”

Speakers

Randy Testa works in the Professional Education division of Harvard Graduate School of Education, devising with Harvard faculty online learning experiences for parents and educators. Prior to coming to Harvard, Testa worked for 12 years at a major movie studio on family-friendly films such as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Charlotte's Web and The Watsons Go to Birmingham.

Supplemental Materials

Commit to Clean – How Hygiene is Critical to Healthy Schools

Sponsored by American Cleaning Institute

This Learning Lab will discuss the challenges schools and families are facing this school year when it comes to staying safe and healthy—and also cleaning, disinfecting and hand hygiene best practices, with actionable advice for school staff and parents. Join experts from the health and school community, as well as from companies who make the products we rely on to clean and disinfect. No matter how your child is learning this year (virtual, in-school or both), you won’t want to miss this critical conversation. Moderated by Brian Sansoni, Senior Vice President of Communication, Outreach & Membership, American Cleaning Institute.

Speakers

Talking to Kids About Vaping: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Kids

Sponsored by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Just as we were achieving extraordinary progress in reducing youth use of cigarettes, we face a new crisis—e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are hooking a new generation of kids with 3.6 million U.S. kids using e-cigarettes, including one in five high school students. There is also mounting concern that smokers and e-cigarette users may be at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. In this learning lab, you will hear from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids about current youth tobacco use, the efforts underway to address it and how parents can get involved and fight back. Youth e-cigarette use has reached epidemic levels.

Speakers

How PTAs can Maximize their Fundraising this School Year

Sponsored by Booster

PTAs will learn how to make a stronger connection between their cause and their campaign, so their mission and message are felt throughout their fundraisers. Leaders will leave with a five-step fundraising framework to more strategically raise funds for a better future, even during these times.

Speaker

Stephen Murray is the president & COO of Booster, a company that offers virtual and in-person fitness fundraisers for schools. As an active member in the Greater Atlanta community, Stephen serves on the board of his children’s school, his local YMCA, as well as an advisor to a non-profit that supports social-good entrepreneurs. He has a big heart to improve organizations through effective leadership, developing team members and putting people first. Stephen is also an accomplished athlete and has completed marathons, an ultra-marathon and an Iron Man triathlon. He and his wife Brittany have three children.