The Impact of Social Media on Kids' Development
A Social Media Wellness Round Table
Event Details: Monday, May 6th, 2024 11:00 AM-11:45 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Duration: 45 Minutes | 30 Minute Panel and 15-minute Q&A
Purpose: We are gathering to outline the impact of social media on kids’ development and to provide helpful tips to parents and caregivers aimed at protecting their children from harm and supporting them to navigate this technology in the healthiest way possible. We want parents and caregivers to walk away with new insights on the issue, actionable tips for improving their approach to social media with kids and resources to help them get more support along the way.
What To Expect: The session will begin with an introduction to Social Media Wellness Month. Our panel of experts will address parents' concerns about social media, offering insights into how to safeguard children in this ever-evolving digital landscape.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage through interactive polls and targeted questions, ensuring an engaging roundtable. We will explore research-based insights into both the benefits and downsides of social media usage among youth. Additionally, the discussion will spotlight valuable tools and supportive communities that aid in navigating social media more effectively.
Presented by
Melissa Hunter, Laura Tierney, Jacqueline Nesi, Sharon Vinderine, Leah Ringelstein, and Azhelle Wade
Melissa Hunter is the founder and CEO of Family Video Network, an agency and consulting company for creators of kids' and family social media video content. She began her YouTube journey in 2012 when her 8-year-old asked if they could start a YouTube channel together to review Monster High dolls. The business behind YouTube quickly became a passion for Melissa, leading her to form her company in 2014. Besides FVN, she has a YouTube channel aimed at helping others improve their mental health, and she continues to review dolls and toys as a solo act on My World on YouTube.
Laura Tierney is the Founder and CEO of The Social Institute, the leader in empowering students by understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform that equips school communities to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in positive, high-character ways. Their positive, student-led approach has been applauded by Melinda Gates on X (previously Twitter) and featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and USA Today. Laura got her first phone at age 13 and went on to become a four-time Duke All-American, Duke’s Athlete of the Decade, and a social media strategist for leading brands before founding The Social Institute.
Jacqueline Nesi, PhD is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Brown University. She is also the author of the popular weekly newsletter Techno Sapiens, and co-founder of Tech Without Stress, which provide nonjudgmental, balanced guidance for parents raising kids in the digital age.
Sharon Vinderine is the founder and CEO of Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA), the go-to seal of approval that millions of families turn to for their purchasing decisions. As a serial award-winning entrepreneur, she's a sought-after speaker and with her background as a high-tech entrepreneur, Sharon also brings invaluable expertise in cybersafety to the table.
Leah Ringelstein is a mom of three, former teacher and cofounder of Zigazoo, the world’s leading social media platform for kids. Along with her husband, she founded Zigazoo to support a brighter digital future for their own kids and their generation.
As Director of Impact at Zigazoo, she uses her experience as a former teacher to guide Zigazoo kids in building confidence, positivity and creativity through play-based video challenges presented by leading children’s media stars, museums. athletes and other kids! She works to guide the impact that Zigazoo can have in kids’ and families’ lives and also within the larger dialogue about what healthy, non-toxic social media can do for our world.
Azhelle Wade is the moderator of this panel and the founder of The Toy Coach Inc. a toy industry-focused design, media and education company.
