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BHS Parenting Workshop Raising Healthy Teenagers: How to Support Our Children in the Digital Age

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BHS Parenting Workshop Raising Healthy Teenagers: How to Support Our Children in the Digital Age
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Local parents and caregivers gathered at Bloomfield Hills High School on Saturday, March 15, to participate in a workshop focusing on building healthy technology habits. Sponsored by Bloomfield Youth Assistance, with support from the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, the Birmingham-Bloomfield Coalition, and the Bloomfield Hills PTOC, this event is part of a series aimed at helping families reflect on their technology and social media usage.

The workshop featured two keynote speakers. Nicole Runyon, LMSW, a respected psychotherapist and author specializing in parenting and child mental health, emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of rising mental health issues among children. Highlighting the significant influence parents have on their children’s lives, Runyon stated,  “Parents have a more powerful impact on their child’s life than any other individual, they have the power to build the independence, self-confidence, and resilience that is disappearing.” 

Katey McPherson, the second keynote speaker, shared practical strategies for supporting students and understanding their experiences. With 25 years of experience as a secondary school teacher, guidance counselor, and K-12 administrator, McPherson has significant expertise in school leadership and youth mental health initiatives. The speaker currently serves as the Director of Community Partnerships for a company that developed an artificial intelligence app, protecting over 7 million children while they engage online.

After the keynote presentations, attendees chose from various breakout sessions, including:

  • Connecting to the iGeneration presented by Nicole Runyon.
  • Stop the Tug of War: How to Put Tech in Its Place presented by Katey McPherson.
  • The AI Conversation: A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your Child in the Age of Intelligent Technology presented by Jessica Lupone, Rachel Matz, and David Shulkin.
  • Navigating the Digital Age: A Community Conversation for Parents presented by Dr. Dan Hartley and Holly Hammerle.
  • Keeping Kids Safe: Insights from BHS Resource Officers presented by Officers Jen Lower and Tom Riney.
  • Be Intentional: Creating and Practicing Family Norms Around Technology Use With Elementary and Middle School-Aged Children presented by Julianne Umbarger and Lauren Dempsey.

The event concluded with a panel of current BHHS students who shared their perspectives on technology and social media. They encouraged parents to understand their viewpoints, acknowledging that being completely offline is unrealistic. Students suggested alternative activities to reduce screen time, such as playing games, baking, exercising, or taking walks together. They stressed the importance of parents as role models and advised them to be mindful of their own screen use, with comments like, “Parents need to put their own phones or laptops down” and “practice what you preach.”

Superintendent Rick West closed the morning by recommending parents offer a safe space for kids to engage in activities other than screens and assuring families that BHS will continue the conversation around social media, screen time, online safety, and digital well-being.