Series focusing on raising children during the ‘digital age’ in Medicine Hat

The first presentation on Jan. 22 will be facilitated by clinical psychologists Greg and Mary Lou Godard.

Lori-Ann Sawatsky, school liason councellor with the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, said that there are a lot of questions unanswered about how to manage screentime.

She said that there are so many aspects to the online life.

“I’m just looking at helping empower parents,” she said.

“When I look at how I allowed screentime in my home, I wish I knew then what I know now,” she added.

“It would look a lot different in my home, with what I know now.”

She said that, digitally, things are always changing, and parents need to be provided with the most recent knowledge.

Sonya Brown, health promotion facilitator with Alberta Health Services’ Healthy Schools, said that they will focus on topics like the brain development of children, and online safety.

She said that, with AHS, she regularly works with the school divisions to support them in areas of wellness.

“I think everyone plays a role,” she said.

“Obviously parents and educators play a role, because we’re responsible when we’re giving them access to those things at home, but also it’s important for teachers as well,” she added.

“How they’re doing screentime in schools and teaching kids about safe screentime as well in schools. I think it really takes a village. I think it’s an entire community.”

Taneil Zanidean, health promotion facilitator with Recovery Alberta and chairperson of Digital Wellness Coalition, said that setting limits and boundaries can happen at any time.

“We really want to give parents the message that even if you have given access to that, it’s not too late.”

Zanidean said that, being the first generation that’s parenting kids in the digital age, they want to provide resources to help parents make good decisions about how they introduce technology.

NOW is a six part discussion series that will be taking place monthly until June.

It’s in partnership with The Beej Project, overseeing the direction of funds aimed at providing a variety of educational and research opportunities around mental health.

The first presentation will happen Jan. 22 at the Medicine Hat College Theatre at 7 until 8:30 p.m.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Series focusing on raising children during the ‘digital age’ in Medicine Hat

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