Event Details:
April 17, 2025
7:00–8:30 PM
Grisham Hall, St. Anne’s-Belfield School, 2132 Ivy Road
Free Admission | Registration Required
Presented by CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine as part of the Tom Tom Festival 2025
About the Event: Parenting in the Digital Age
In today’s world, families are navigating the joys and challenges of parenting in an increasingly digital age. Parenting questions around screen time, online safety, mental health, and technology’s role in childhood development are more relevant than ever.
That’s why CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is proud to host “Raising Happy, Connected Kids in the Digital Age”—a free panel discussion bringing together experts from psychology, education, and youth advocacy to offer insights from the latest research, practical advice, and community support.
The evening will open with remarks by Dr. Autumn Graves, Head of School at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, and features a short student-produced film by Thriving Youth in a Digital Environment (TYDE) and Light House Studio, followed by a live panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Join us for a timely and insightful evening designed to support parents, caregivers, and educators navigating the ever-evolving digital world with children and teens. In today’s technology-saturated culture, families face unique challenges—and opportunities—when it comes to raising emotionally healthy, socially connected, and resilient kids.
Attendees will gain practical strategies for setting healthy tech boundaries, encouraging empathy and digital citizenship, and fostering meaningful, real-world relationships.
Moderated by Jennifer Bryerton, publisher of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, this event will feature expert perspectives, audience Q&A, and a special short film created by local youth through Light House Studio—offering a powerful look at technology through the eyes of youth.
Topics will include:
- Screen time and age-appropriate technology use
- Social media’s impact on emotional development and friendships
- Setting family tech boundaries without constant conflict
- Online safety, cyberbullying, and mental health
- Fostering offline connection, creativity, and balance
- Tools for educators to promote healthy digital habits in the classroom
Whether you’re a parent of a preschooler or a high schooler—or an educator working to support students in a tech-driven world—this conversation offers compassionate guidance, expert advice, and real-world tools.
Meet the Panelists
Rev. Marc Boston
Marc Boston is a father, husband, and ordained interfaith minister from One Spirit Seminary in New York City. He’s a board-certified chaplain candidate, having completed a residency at UVA Medical Center. With a Psychology degree focused on Human Behavior, Marc takes a Lifeward living approach to emotional and spiritual well-being. He serves on several local boards and contributes parenting insights to CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, where he is an advisory panel member.
As the author and publisher of five children’s picture books, Marc helps kids see themselves in stories and connect with others, embracing the “mirrors and windows” philosophy to reflect diverse experiences.
Jennifer Bryerton, MaEd.
Jennifer Bryerton, M.A.Ed., is the co-founder and publisher of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, where she brings together her expertise in parenting, education, marketing and entrepreneurship to support families and local businesses throughout Virginia. With nearly three decades of experience, she is passionate about creating meaningful content and community connections. Jennifer is also an active volunteer with the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont and serves on the advisory panel for Bennett’s Village, a nonprofit advocating for inclusive play.
Kathy Carpenter
Director of the Early Childhood Program Kathy Carpenter has been a trusted advisor to countless parents throughout her nearly 25 years at St. Anne ’s-Belfield School. Sharing wisdom and imparting calm with her refrain, “It’s going to be okay,” Mrs. Carpenter has been an extraordinary educator, leader, and advocate for early childhood education not only at St. Anne ’s-Belfield but also in the broader Charlottesville/Albemarle community.
Dr. Michael Lyons
Michael Lyons is interested in the social-emotional development of middle and high school students in a positive psychological and traditional mental health framework. Specifically, his research reflects an interest in understanding the mechanisms and practices in a school setting that promote student well-being and school-relevant outcomes (e.g., grades and behavior) through an ecological model.
Lyons is especially interested in school-based mentoring programs as one approach for promoting student well-being and enhancing academic outcomes. His research on school-based mentoring has been published in journals such as School Psychology, American Journal of Community Psychology, and Applied Developmental Science. Lyons is also a member of the National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) research board and is on the editorial board for the journals Psychology in the Schools and School Psychology.
Dr. Cara Goodwin
Founder of Parenting Translator, Dr. Goodwin is a licensed clinical psychologist who translates child development research into actionable advice. She trained at Duke and UVA and is passionate about helping parents navigate tech, behavior, and learning with evidence-based insight.
Bhavika S.
Dr. Bethany Teachman
Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia and the co-Director of UVA’s Thriving Youth in A Digital Environment (TYDE). Dr. Teachman is a leading expert in anxiety, digital mental health tools, and emotional development and directs the Program for Anxiety, Cognition, and Treatment (PACT) Lab. The Program for Anxiety, Cognition and Treatment (PACT) lab investigates cognitive processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders and other forms of emotion dysregulation.
Special Feature: Student-Created Film by Light House Studio
The evening will also include a screening of a short film on youth and technology, created by students at Light House Studio, Charlottesville’s nonprofit youth filmmaking center. Introduced by Program Director Rachel Lane, this compelling film shares youth perspectives on growing up in a hyper-connected world.
Why Attend?
This event offers:
- Research-backed parenting guidance from experts
- Real-world tools for managing screen time and tech use
- Insights into digital wellness, emotional development, and family connection
- A supportive space for asking questions, sharing concerns, and learning together
Whether your child is a toddler just starting with screens or a teen navigating social media, this conversation on parenting in the digital age will equip you with knowledge and community to help your family thrive.
Register Today for Parenting in the Digital Age
Seats are limited for this free, in-person event.
A Guide to Technology Resources for Parents from CharlottesvilleFamily
- Community Poll: Should Toddlers Have iPads? Register your opinion here in this CharlottesvilleFamily magazine reader survey.
- 100 Studies on Screen Time from the Parenting Translator
- About the book, The Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt