The Challenges of Raising a Digital Native | Devorah Heitner, Ph.D. | TEDxNaperville

Often these days, we worry about our children on the internet. We teach them a long list of dos and don’ts and hope they turn out to be effective communicators and responsible digital citizens. Is this the best approach? In a world where the internet permeates our lives, how do we keep our children from being too connected or not connected enough? What can we do to create a new digital citizenry that safely and effectively rules the internet?
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. She works directly with parents and families, and is currently writing a handbook for parents, tentatively titled, “Raising Your Digital Native.” 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 using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@robinr3666]

Loved this talk. Empathy is the app. Nice. Thanks. Devorah Heitner

[@coracross1281]

I like the idea of knowing how to model acceptable behavior when dealing with others. Children have always and still need guidance when navigating social situations. Many people regardless of their age need to know how to behave in social situations.

[@JoeEvans]

Absolutely amazing Devorah Heitner. You're definitely someone I would love to work for/with.Truly inspiring applications of your research methods to something as ubiquitous to humanity as raising kids.

[@DevorahHeitner]

Thank you so much Joe! Would love to hear more about your ideas/work.

[@JoeEvans]

My pleasure, Devorah Heitner​ I'd love to learn from and share my ideas with another innovator like yourself.

[@fpreti]

Very Well Done thank you for helping !!!

[@DevorahHeitner]

Thanks so much Robin Rheaume!

[@ibrahimabudhela]

Fruitful Talk

[@JeanTracy]

Good thoughts on parents' cycle of anxiety about kids and technology. Loved her research questions for kids.

[@DevorahHeitner]

Thanks so much for your feedback, Jean. Would love to hear more about your work with kids and families.

[@coracross1281]

There has always been something kids gravitate toward...being a concerned parent is what parents should be. Parents with any sense want to know who their child is interacting with because everybody has access to kids when they are using social media in addition to individuals on the streets.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Why am I here? I don't have kids. Ha, this talk kind of applies to everyone. If you ask me? The one tech issue that annoys me? Being available anywhere, at all times. There are days I want to disappear digitally, completely. So, I like that unplugging advice.

[@darussianping61]

Just switch it off? Thats what i do.

[@jamesmartingattuso9915]

I don't have a PhD but here's my suggestion to parents: sometimes, switch your phone off. Don't forget, you do have that choice!

[@fabioshui]

This was very insightful and hearth-wrenching (the STEL app, jeez)

[@scottmbruner]

"A naughty picture." "A naughty picture." "A naughty picture."

[@darussianping61]

Great talk and a little sad for kids today. They were born into this tech éra and i see kids glued to screen everywhere and adults! I realised this and made change. I switch off my phone at night and all devices on my days with kids i dont také my phone everywhere with us. I switch off my wi-fi as well as its not healthy being emerged in the waves all the time. Little change can make a big difference.

[@daniesavage]

"They want our attention. They need our mentorship."

[@ahmadsyukronprasaja2988]

in Islam, we know it as khusnudzon. which means "positive thinking".

[@MatthewGoreBGenomics]

This is about the most difficult subject that positive psychologists Can study. I figure she's done a remarkable job outlining some of the barriers that a technology and pathemics within schemas of modern culture- lll tweet on that meaning @mattbgenomics. This is, though, a better explanation in brief than a meta approach on proximal empathy may lend itself to. If media multitasking is that has them I wouldn't have heard the TV while listening to this lecture: . "I don't see much beauty in kids sitting around and texting ... I don't see much beauty in technology these days." -Jack White (referring to a conversion with Bob Dylan)

[@DevorahHeitner]

***** Thanks so much for this thoughtful comment Matthew Gore.

[@danielmcelroy5932]

ISTE 5

[@happybunch6209]

I am just curious if Dr.Heitner has children of her own? I love the concept of her research but I am feeling as though it is detached from a parental perspective.

[@chefmikesolomon]

Dr. Heitner states at 9 minutes that she is a parent.

[@happybunch6209]

Mike Signorini Thank you, I thought she said "She spoke with many parents". Its an interesting perspective.

[@mickypoo4622]

And the easiest way to avoid this is ... Don't have kids!

[@Me-lc9dk]

this is absolutely tragic and dramatic from my adult stand point. WTF is wrong with the world??? Kids should learn to talk, read, write, connect NOT text for god sakes. I think until a certain age there should be no child technology interaction. They are bored and sick of life by the age of 10 , what is wrong with that? I see children going with smartphones in the class ..why???? they don;t even know what is with them on this planet and they are all connected to technology. wrong...wrong :P