Safe Technology

Project STAND's Parent Empowerment Speaker Series equips parents with tools to address social media, cyberbullying, screen time, pornography, online predators, mental illness, and strengthening the protective parent/child relationship.

Project Stand Library of Recordings

Project Stand Podcast Episodes

The Kids Mental Health Foundation is the leading organization promoting mental health for children in the United States. They are creating a world where mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing—where children’s mental health is as important as their physical health, and where grown-ups have the skills to help kids face and manage life’s challenges.

How to Make a Family Social Media Plan

In this 60 Minutes Report, learn how Silicon Valley is engineering phone, apps and social media to get people hooked. 

Brain Hacking (13 minutes and 48 seconds)

Dr. Devorah Heitner is the founder and director of Raising Digital Natives, a resource for parents and schools seeking advice on how help children thrive in a world of digital connectedness. An experienced speaker, workshop leader, and consultant, Dr. Heitner serves as a professional development resource for schools wishing to cultivate a culture of responsible digital citizenship. Dr. Heitner has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology and Society from Northwestern University and has published and spoken in the field of media studies for the past ten years. She has taught at DePaul University, Street Level Youth Media, and Northwestern University. This talk was given at a TEDx event. 

The Challenges of Raising a Digital Native (13 minutes and 27 seconds)

Christy Kane, Ph.D., takes us on a neurological journey to explore the effect that pervasive use of smart phones has on the brains of teenagers. She stresses that these ubiquitous devices significantly affect brain chemistry and that each of us should give careful consideration to our use of smart phones. This talk was given at a TEDx event.

The Smart Phone Generation (14 minutes and 36 seconds)

Smartphones and social media place adult-sized responsibilities on children long before they’re ready. From managing constant notifications, to navigating online bullying, to resisting addictive algorithms and harmful content. Kids are being asked to carry more than they should. Research shows that early access to smartphones and social media can lead to:

• Increased anxiety and depression
• Disrupted sleep
• Fragmented and limited attention span
• Exposure to harmful content
• Underdeveloped social skills

There’s another way. By delaying smartphones and social media, we give our kids more time to build real-life connections and enjoy the simple joys of childhood. It’s a choice that protects childhood, while building the focus, resilience, and relationships kids need to thrive as adults. Childhood should be about learning, friendships, and play—not spent scrolling.

Smartphone Free Childhood US - "Let's Change The Norm" (1 minute)