CIT Focuses on Digital Impact

The Community Impact Team’s Pre-K-12 Action Team and the Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition recently offered a free presentation of Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age. Hosted in the school’s Digital Learning Lab, parents and students were invited to attend in person or view online via livestream. The screening was offered as part of a series of workshops offered by the Pre-K Action Team and Coalition centered around technology, safety, and age-appropriate use of digital assets.

Filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston explores how screen time affects the developing brain, uses personal stories and expert commentary to examine social media, gaming, academics, and internet addiction. The screening was followed by a guided discussion led by School Adjustment Counselor Jacqueline Rogers using the official Screenagers discussion guide.

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“This was a very important evening for members of our community to come together to discuss the issues of cell phone and social media use for everyone in North Reading, especially our children,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Daly. “The facilitated discussion led to a very productive conversation, and I was so thrilled to have such a great turnout of young students who were deeply engaged.” In fact, 17 students and 23 adults attended in-person along with an additional 17 online participants. “I was so thrilled to have such a great turnout of young students who were deeply engaged in the conversation,” Daly said.

In addition to the screening and facilitated conversation, the Flint Memorial Library and the Coalition offered copies of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and the companion youth graphic novel The Amazing Generation (Haidt & Catherine Price), along with The Anxious Generation Parent’s Guide to support continued family conversations about youth mental health and technology. Families are urged to visit the Flint Memorial Library to check out these additional resources.

Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz noted, “Supporting online safety and digital balance reduces risk factors. This project complements our prevention work aimed at preventing youth substance use.”

To build on the screening conversation, Luckiewicz and North Reading Police Detective Paul Lucci will co-present “Online Safety and Refusal Skills” on May 21 at 6:00 PM at the North Reading Police Department. Families will learn to set parental controls, establish healthy limits, and take home concrete resources. Students are welcome to attend with an adult. Register at www.northreadingma.gov/CIT — click EVENTS to find the workshop listing.

About the North Reading Community Impact Team

The North Reading Community Impact Team (CIT) is a collaborative partnership of the North Reading Police Department, Youth Services, School Department, Parks & Recreation, Fire Department, Elder Services, Health Department, and the Board of Selectmen. CIT coordinates services and develops solutions to improve quality of life through Action Teams including Pre-K–12, the Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition, Mental Wellness, Public Safety, and Social Services.