Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital Age with Dr. Theresa Nguyen

The digital world can feel like its own world, with its own language and rules. Media exposes us to new ideas, builds social connections, especially for LGBTQ+ youth or marginalized kids, and provides access to a wide breadth of information. But risks are real and wide-ranging. The acceleration of tech can make it hard for parents to keep up, but we don’t necessarily need to have a firm grasp of every new app or development. 

On January 28, Dr. Theresa Nguyen, Chair of Pediatrics at GBMC HealthCare, guided parents on how to teach children to become good stewards and discerners of the media content designed to steal their attention. She broke down the difference between media literacy and digital literacy, discussed the benefits and challenges of living in a digital world, and gave parents practical tips for smoothing these challenges.

Helping kids understand who creates media, who benefits, who loses, how algorithms are designed to hook them, and what they can gain or lose from their digital experiences empowers them to reclaim control. And Dr. Nguyen gives parents the tools they need to feel in control of these conversations.