New Canaan Country School Hosted Social Media Wellness Author

From New Canaan Country School: NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan Country School welcomed noted author and educator, Ana Homayoun, to campus Wed., Oct. 25 and Thurs., Oct 26 to share insights and discuss strategies for navigating an ever-changing social media world with parents, faculty and students of the Pre-K through grade 9 school. The Wed. evening parent event, which was open to the public, drew over 100 in attendance.

Ms. Homayoun, author of the recently published book, Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World, is a frequent speaker on topics relating to executive functioning, student engagement, personal productivity and motivation. In her 50-minute presentation to parents, Ms. Homayoun shared the results of a pre-survey she had given to Country School students, saying “I have noticed that schools which end in eighth or ninth grade have fewer issues related to social media use.”

“They [the Country School students] had some really impressive numbers. 1 in 6 experienced stress or hurt due to an online interaction, which is very low compared to most schools I visit. They also have the highest number – 92% - who felt they had an adult to go to if they had a negative experience online. This tells me this is a very healthy community of adults and children.”

Ms. Homayoun shared a wealth of practical information, including tips and tools, specific apps to use and avoid, as well as the latest research supporting her work. “You don’t need all the language, just a few key phrases and ask some really good open-ended questions without judgement or shame,” Ms. Homayoun advised parents. “The thing that kids tell me that they think their parents should know, but that they don’t tell them, is ‘when we are mad or we are passionate, we go to the internet’.”

The pre-survey also indicated that the top things students would do if they had more time were: spend time with friends, spend time with family, practice hobbies and volunteer. “We all have a choice in how we spend our time online and in real life. Sometimes we get caught up in what other people are doing and saying, but how can we figure out what is important to us and filter out the rest?” asked Ms. Homayoun.

“Ana offered thoughtful and practical advice for how parents and educators can come together to support students in effectively managing their time and safely managing their interactions with social media,” said Alex Wellman, Head of Upper School (Grades 7-9) who, together with Head of Middle School (Grades 5 & 6) Kirsten Rosolen, organized the event. “It was truly a wonderful two-days that underscored the partnership between Country School parents, teachers and administrators.”

For additional resources or to learn more about Ms. Homayoun’s work as founder of San Francisco Bay Area-based Green Ivy Educational Consulting, an educational consulting firm that works with parents, educators and students., please visit her website: www.anahomayoun.com. To purchase a copy of her book, please visit Elm Street Bookstore in New Canaan or order online.

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent, day school serving students in Pre-K (ages 3 and 4) through grade 9. Located on a 75-acre campus in New Canaan, the school provides transportation to families living throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties. For more information about the school, please visit: www.countryschool.net.

Photo 1: Noted author, Ana Homayoun, discusses social media and themes of technology and wellness with New Canaan Country School students (from left) Oliver Jellinek (Darien), Lola Triay (Stamford), Henry Warner (New Canaan), Harper Teles (New Canaan) and Alice Nash (Rowayton) during an Oct. 26 visit to campus. Photo 2: New Canaan Country School hosted Ana Homayoun, noted author and educator, who spoke to parents, faculty and students; providing insights and offering strategies for helping tweens and teens navigate social media. Photo credit: New Canaan Country School