Why We Need Driver's Ed for Smartphones

In this Action Network Live! webinar, Dr. Sharon Maxwell and Chelsea Maxwell talk teens, tech, and empowering young people to resist the attention economy! They discuss how kids and teens are affected by the ubiquity of smartphones, devices that have been designed without their wellbeing in mind. Whether your child already has a smartphone, or you’re preparing for that day, this presentation will help you equip young people with the tools they need to develop a strong sense of self in the digital age.

The Maxwells discuss:

- What it means for kids to have endless entertainment and distraction at any time of the day

- Why some teens are “understanding themselves to be more product than person”

- How we can help children and teens determine what is really important or worth their time – both IRL and online

- How teaching kids about their own brains can help them resist Big Tech’s attempts to manipulate them

Dr. Sharon Maxwell is a practicing clinical psychologist, specializing in adolescent and family therapy. Her daughter Chelsea Maxwell, EdM, is an educator, learning designer, and lecturer. Together, they offer parents and educators practical ways to help children successfully navigate the world of media technology through workshops, presentations, and curricula.

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