Let’s Talk Tech
Three Interactive Videos for Parents and Tweens/Teens
Are screens taking over your teen’s mind like Sauron’s ring?
(Are they taking over yours?)
In the Lord of the Rings, we watch in horror as fun-loving Frodo slowly turns into a shell of his former self while carrying the ring of Sauron. The power of the ring keeps him from connecting with those around him and soon it’s all he can think about. If we aren’t careful, the same thing can happen now with technology.
Screens are designed to keep us engaged and it can be hard to resist their allure. Because of this, it’s hard enough to manage our own screen usage, let alone our children’s. There is so much to monitor, learn, discuss, and teach. It can be overwhelming, confusing, and scary. Plus, sometimes teens don’t want to listen to their parents, so having an outside source to help open up the conversations can be very helpful!
So, I have recorded three interactive videos for parents and tweens/teens to watch together! I talk about all kinds of screen-related topics, and I also open up important topics of discussion for you, your partner, your tweens/teens (designed for ages 10+).
“If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about technology, it’s that it doesn’t stay in its proper place on its own. If we aren’t intentional and careful, we’ll end up with a quite extraordinary mess.”
Learn with Your Teen
During these three videos you will discuss:
Video One- Using Screens as Entertainment
What we love/don’t like about screens
Boredom (why teens get bored more easily than adults) and the dopamine cycle
Healthy ways to release dopamine
Video/Mobile games (why we crave them and ways they can be dangerous)
Trash-talking vs bullying
YouTube, TikTok, and other video platforms
Video Two- Using Screens to Connect
Why friends are so important to teens (teen development)
The Imaginary Audience and how it’s affected by social media
Risk-taking
Social Media (pros and cons, how to use it in a healthy way)
Predators and sextortion
Self-objectification and self-esteem
What teens and parents can do to stay safe online
Trust and privacy and how they relate to screens and parental monitoring
Video Three- Using Screens as Tools
How to recognize when screens are in their proper place in our lives
How to be more deliberate in our screen usage
Ways we can avoid (and recognize) addiction
Addiction vs habits and how to tell them apart
Bias, advertising, selective truths, and cognitive distortions
Choosing people over devices
Procrastination
Each session is about 70% information and 30% discussion. Not only will you and your teen(s) learn a lot, but you will grow closer as you talk about each of these topics.
“A good number of teenagers are practically begging you-without telling you so directly-to stay concerned and loving and to keep an open dialogue.”
Connect with Your Teen
While screens can keep us connected in ways we weren’t previously, they can also cause disconnect. What we see and experience through social media and texting are not as “real” as face-to-face interaction. Talking about things as a family gives us an opportunity to discuss topics in-person, read social cues, listen deeply, and connect on a deeper level.
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship .”
Bond with Your Teen
Another danger of screens is they are encouraging kids to form stronger attachments with their peers than they are with their parents. Because screens are so easily accessible, our teens are turning to their peers for direction, and they are spending less time connecting with the mature adults in their lives.
In the fascinating book Hold Onto Your Kids, Gabor Maté and Gordon Neufeld warn:
“For the first time in history young people are turning for instruction, modeling, and guidance not to mothers, fathers, teachers, and other responsible adults, but to people whom nature never intended to place in a parenting role—their own peers. They are not manageable, teachable, or maturing because they no longer take their cues from adults. Instead, children are being brought up by immature persons who cannot possibly guide them to maturity. They are being brought up by each other.”
They also state, “Absolutely missing in peer relationships are the unconditional love and acceptance, the desire to nurture, the ability to extend oneself for the sake of the other, the willingness to sacrifice for the growth and development of the other…children may know what they want, but it is dangerous to assume that they know what they need.”
These videos will give you a unique opportunity to counteract that as you reattach with your teen, discuss important topics, model healthy listening, and make decisions as a team.
When you purchase the set, the handouts will be emailed to you, along with the links to the videos. You can watch them on your own time.
The three videos will also available inside my membership area, which comes with a lot more content! You can learn more about that here. I will doing more of these videos (some will also be offered live first) for families this fall/winter on a variety of topics for all members so join today!
If you are interested in the full course for parents that most of this information comes from, learn more about it below!
If you want to know when my next family discussion/family talking circle will be, join my email list at the bottom of the page. I will be doing them this fall/winter on gender communication (this one is going to be SO fun), creating an identity, learning to love our bodies, harnessing our emotions, and more.
Reviews
“Rachelle did an amazing job with our Tech Talking Circle group!! She knows her stuff and can clearly explain the important topics and why families should be discussing technology and screen time together. She is a great teacher and helped our family to have discussions we wouldn't have had without the class. Thank you!” Nathan, parent
“The tech talking circle was really great for our family! Rachelle brought up some great points that we were able to discuss as a family. It was very helpful information and a good conversation starter as we navigate technology with our tweens and teens.” Stephanie, parent
“I really liked it!!! It helped you understand more about screens! It was informational and was fun!” Henry, 13
“Great information and some useful and interesting topics. I like how it was a different subject to focus on each week.” William, 15
About Me
My name is Rachelle Sorensen and I love teenagers! I have been married to my husband, Beau, for 18 years and we have two teens and two tweens. I love traveling, blogging, reading, and meeting new people.
I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Marriage, Family, Human Development at Brigham Young University and have worked with teens on and off through the years. I am a certified life coach through CTA and a Teen Talking Circles Facilitator. My mission is to help parents lead, inspire, and connect with their teenagers.
How Can I Help?
Parenting teens is tough. Here are some ways I can help you become a better parent to your teen:
Join my free Facebook group, Raising Inspired Teens. It has lots of great information, as well as some amazing parents you can connect with.
I have a fantastic course called Teens and Screens: Parenting with Hope in a Digital Age. Learn more here.
Check out my life coaching options. Life coaching is a great way to talk through your emotions, untangle your thoughts, work through problems and concerns, and get some one-on-one help. Even one or two sessions can make a big difference! Click here to book a free consultation.
Send me an email at rachelle@theinspiredteen.com. I am happy to email back and forth and help you come up with some things to try. You can also check out my blog.
Join the membership area of my website. My screens course is in there, as well as my Parent Teen Night Portal and a bunch of other great stuff! Learn more about what’s included here.
You can do this, and I can help!