Navigating Tech With Kids: Reflections on Screenagers Elementary School Age Edition
Event notes, resources, and tools from Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age film screening and panel discussion
By Spark Kindness Team
Supporting Digital Wellness in Our Community: Reflections on Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition
On September 10, 2025, Spark Kindness hosted a special screening of Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age – Elementary School Edition, followed by a thoughtful panel discussion with local Natick Public School leaders. This relevant event offered families, caregivers, and educators practical strategies for supporting digital wellness among young children.
At Spark Kindness, we believe that building healthy relationships with technology is a true community effort that we each have an important role in. Please remember, if you and your family are struggling with tech and screen usage, you are not alone - we are in this together.
Whether you joined us in person or are just learning about the event now, we hope you find the below resources helpful in navigating this challenging and everchanging journey.
Topics included:
- Managing screen time and device access at home and in schools
- Understanding the effects of early exposure to technology
- Insights into school-based policies and digital citizenship education
- Strategies for setting boundaries, building trust, and modeling healthy tech habits
Moderator:
Katie Sugarman – Prevention & Outreach Program Manager, Natick Health Department | Program Director, Natick 180
Panelists:
- Teresa Carney – Principal, Wilson Middle School
- Jodie Cohen – Principal, Kennedy Middle School
- Karen Ghilani – Principal, Memorial Elementary School
- Dr. Art Fergusson – Director of Clinical Services, Counseling, SEL & Equity
For a full recap of the discussion, read the full panel discussion summary here
Key Resources
Guides
- Program handout from the event
- Parents Guide to Healthy Tech Use (from Natick 180)
- Screenagers Movie Blog
- Handout: Follow-Up Resources for Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age – Elementary School Edition
Books
- New Book! 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World by Jean Twenge
- Article: Kids Shouldn’t Access Social Media Until They’re Old Enough to Drive, Book Says
- Growing Up in Public by Devorah Heitner, PhD
- First Phone: A Child's Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Etiquette by Catherine Pearlman, PhD LCSW
- The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Dr. Lisa Damour
- Middle School Matters by Phyllis Fagell
