With over 20 years of experience in Education and Technology, Patrick Green has become a leading voice, helping parents, educators and children navigate the complex relationship between digital media and well-being. Last week, in conjunction with our PTA, we were honored to host Patrick at CA, where he led a series of workshops at school, for students, teachers and parents.
His insights have been sought after globally, and his strategies focus on fostering a healthy balance between the benefits and challenges of screentime, especially for children and teenagers. With content adapted to different grade levels, Patrick was able to provide relevant tools and strategies related to online behavior, enabling students to be digitally responsible.
Throughout the week Patrick held workshops covering the following topics:
1. Mentoring and Modeling: Raising Digital Citizens
In this session, the critical role that parents play in shaping their children's online behavior was emphasized. The workshop explored the attributes parents should aim to instill in their children to help them become responsible digital citizens. Patrick discussed effective communication strategies and the importance of mentoring, showing how parents can model positive digital habits and provide guidance through open, honest conversations.
2. Strong Foundations: Rules and Boundaries Parents Wish They Had Started Earlier
Patrick shared practical tips for establishing healthy boundaries around online activity. He stressed that there is no one size fits all rule for “how much screentime is enough” and that quality is a stronger factor than quantity. An example is, if your child watched a tutorial on Youtube for an hour, it shouldn’t be put into the same box as watching an hour long Youtube video of Epic Fails. He also highlighted how important it is to get involved with screentime (for example gaming with your children to understand more) and having open conversations about screentime over being a watchdog of their screentime. Parents were encouraged to develop a mindset that prioritizes mentoring and modeling over merely monitoring their children’s digital use.
3. Social Media, Gaming, and Mental Health
This session delved into the challenges posed by social media and gaming, including peer pressure, constant comparisons, and digital drama—all of which can take a toll on mental health. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for gaming. While some parents feel that all gaming is bad, we should be cognizant of the skills that gaming is teaching our children. The example provided is the negotiating and teamwork skills learned from games like Fortnite. Patrick provided tools and strategies for parents to support their children's digital well-being, helping them address these pressures and recognize early warning signs of mental health issues related to screen use.
4. Let’s Talk About Sexting and Pornography
To end off, Patrick tackled the sensitive but vital topic of sexting and pornography. He explained the prevalence of sexting among adolescents, the reasons behind it, and how parents can approach this topic without fear or judgment. Green offered practical strategies for having open conversations with teens, equipping parents with the tools needed to guide their children toward responsible online behavior.
Throughout the week, Patrick Green provided CA parents with valuable insights and practical advice, emphasizing that digital well-being is a shared responsibility between the school and home. His workshops resonated with the CA community, offering a deeper understanding of the digital challenges that today’s young people face and empowering parents to take an active role in mentoring their children.
Resources from his talk can be found at Winning Screen Time Resources. For more information about Patrick Green and his work, visit Winning Screen Time.
