School boards are teaming up to present learning sessions for parents and caregivers.
Huron‑Perth Catholic District School Board and Avon Maitland District School Board say the sessions will focus on supporting children’s healthy development in an increasingly digital world.
Journalist Katherine Martinko is a guest speaker on May 5 at St. Anne’s Secondary School and at St. Michael Catholic Secondary School on May 25. Both sessions are scheduled to run from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Martinko is the author of Child Unplugged: Practical advice to get kids off screens and find balance.
Organizers said the events will include a parent and caregiver presentation alongside same‑day student
presentations for Catholic board secondary students, to create a shared learning opportunity for families.
Martinko will examine the impacts of excessive screen use on children’s well‑being and provide clear, evidence‑informed guidance to help parents/caregivers establish healthy technology and social media boundaries while promoting face‑to‑face connection and age‑appropriate independence.
Parents and caregivers will learn practical strategies for setting manageable screen‑time limits, supporting meaningful face‑to‑face interaction, and using supportive language to guide conversations about technology use at home.
