Dulling a Double-Edge Sword: Strategies to Manage Kids’ Screen Time

Date course created: May 2024

Technology is constantly developing, engineering capability still growing beyond the wildest dreams of our ancestors. It has resulted in massive gains in efficiency, savings of money and time, and access to infinite knowledge. But, as Shakespeare taught us in “As You Like It,” too much of a good thing can be bad. Technology is now tethered by no wires, but connected to everything and everyone. Temptation, distraction, and mindless entertainment just a finger swipe away. Unchecked, our brains now dependent on small dopamine hits social media feeds and gaming apps provide 24/7.

As digital technology continues to play a prominent role in our lives, it is crucial for parents to understand the impact of excessive screen time on their children’s cognitive development. Recent research has shown that prolonged exposure to screens can lead to various negative effects, including decreased attention span and poor academic performance. In order to address this growing concern, therapists have recognized the need for specialized training in supporting parents to better manage their children’s screen time. This continuing education workshop aims to equip therapists with practical strategies and evidence-based interventions that can be shared with parents. Participants will delve into the latest research on children and screen time, exploring how excessive use of digital devices affects brain development and social interactions. Therapists will gain valuable insights into implementing effective parental control measures while still fostering healthy relationships with technology.

**This is a 2.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform**

Agenda:

• 0:00 – 0:45: Strategies to Manage Kids’ Screen Time
• 0:45 – 1:30: Understanding the Algorithm
• 1:30: BREAK
• 1:30 – 2:00: Characteristics of Problematic Gamers
• 2:00 – 2:30: Learning and Implementing Strategies & Resources

Objectives:

This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:

a). After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and understand the most recent and clinically salient research findings around children and teens and media use.

b). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify and describe common barriers families encounter negotiating screen time with their children.

c). After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and implement strategies and resources to support parents in managing screens and media use.

Target Audience:

Mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, marriage and family therapists, telehealth treatment professionals, and other clinical mental health professionals.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Dawn Friedman, MSEd, LPCC-S

Material Author(s): Dawn Friedman, MSEd, LPCC-S

Dawn Friedman MSEd is a therapist in private practice; a lecturer at the Ohio State University in the Human Development and Family Studies department; and the founder of ChildAnxietySupport.com, a virtual education and support program for parents of anxious children. Dawn received her masters in community mental health counseling at the University of Dayton and has her post-graduate certificate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health through Arcadia University. In Portland, Oregon, Dawn founded the Safe to Grow program at the YWCA Women’s Resource Center, a shelter serving women and children escaping domestic violence, and taught parenting classes for the Oregon State Extension Service. Her writing appears in several books including Joanne Bombarger’s Mother’s of Intention (Bright Sky Press, 2011), Rebecca Walker’s anthology One Big Happy Family (Riverhead Press, 2009), Mothering and Blogging (Demeter Press, 2009) edited by May Friedman & Shana L. Calixte and the textbooks Child Adoption: Issues and Perspectives (Icfai University Press, 2009) and Mixed Heritage (Greenhaven Press, 2009). She has appeared on New Hampshire Public Radio’s Word of Mouth, on Q with Jian Ghomeshi, on Dawn Davenport’s Creating a Family, and also consulted on a This American Life episode about open adoption. She has presented at the Columbus Society for Clinical Social Work and Ohio State Counseling and Consultation; the 2011 Open Adoption Symposium in Richmond, VA; the American Adoption Congress annual conferences; the 2nd International Conference on Adoption and Culture; the Voices for Ohio’s Children Healthy Kids Conference; the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children conference and several times for the All Ohio Counselors Conference and for the Central Ohio Counseling Association.

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

Course Materials & Delivery Method:

• Course materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
• Delivery Method – this course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.

CE Approvals:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive [see advertisement] asynchronous distance learning continuing education credits.

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