How to Create a Tech-Ready Home: Embracing the Tension between Careful, Countercultural, and Confident
Although it’s not possible to create an internet-safe home, it is possible to create one that is internet SAFER. After well over a thousand presentations to parents, grandparents, and caregivers just like you, and countless conversations, we’ve observed what it takes to have kids learn to use technology well. And we call it the PYE Core Values. This presentation breaks down these 5 foundational ideas. Do you know what’s better than any parental control? Do you know why your router is the most important digital device in your home? Do you understand the toxic trio? Do you know why TikTok is so intoxicating to young brains? Get ready for a ton of practical tips, solutions, and ideas you can implement this weekend.
Our desired outcomes include:
A deep understanding of why multiple layers of protection are necessary and how they work together.
Awareness of the hardware and software tools that support your digital goals.
How to use practical solutions so that your family is prepared, balanced, and protected online.
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Wednesday, September 25th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
WHERE: We are hosting this presentation in Somers Lounge on the campus of the College of St. Scholastica. This presentation hall is close to the entrance of the campus with ample parking nearby. Please Click Here for campus map.
WHO: Parents and caring of adults of little kids, big kids, tweens, and teens! This event is open to any adult in the region. Please invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives!
COST: Free! This event was made possible by the generosity of various grants from Catholic United Financial and the Diocese of Duluth!
PLAN TO ATTEND? PLEASE RSVP
Please CLICK HERE to let us know you’re attending. Registration is not required, but we encourage you to RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
CAN’T MAKE IT? Chris will be presenting at Queen of Peace parish on Thursday, 9/26, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
This event was made possible by the generosity of Catholic United Financial and the Diocese of Duluth CREED FUND. Special thanks to these event sponsors for the grants provided to SMA to bring Chris to Duluth!
Chris McKenna - Founder of Protect Young Eyes
Chris is a respected author and creates valuable resources for families and schools. His impactful 2019 testimony before the US Senate played a crucial role in driving the enactment of new online child protection laws, earning him the prestigious Dignity Defense Alert Award. Recent state-level legislation co-authored by Chris called the Child Device Protection Bill is moving forward in multiple states. It will force devices to enable existing content filters when activated by a minor. He is an advisor to legislators and global tech companies like Apple and Snapchat and was recently chosen to speak at the 2024 World Economic Forum. Under his guidance, the Protect Young Eyes team conducts presentations worldwide and gained recognition by being featured in the acclaimed Childhood 2.0 movie. Chris is a former youth pastor who began researching and mentoring parents from his church in navigating the complexities of parenting in a digital age. It soon became clear that this was an overwhelming need and the Holy Spirit was directing him to take on this important mission full time. In response to this call Chris launched Protect Young Eyes in 2015. In his personal life, Chris and Andrea are on the verge of 25 years together, and he cherishes family road trips, connecting with nature, running, and savoring his sweet tooth. A devoted father, Chris takes pride in his role as a parent to four children.
Check out Chris and the PYE team’s work at www.protectyoungeyes.com
There you will find an expansive collection of blogs, app reviews, tech news, training videos and so much more!
Student Presentations at SMA
Chis McKenna will be presenting to all the SMA students in kindergarten through 11th grade during his visit to the area on 9/25 - 9/27. Parents are welcome to attend the age appropriate presentations. We will be following the below schedule and will have more specific times determined in early September.
Wednesday 9/25
St. James Campus (Afternoon)
Presentation #1 Kindergarten - 3rd Grade Students
Presentation #2 4th - 6th Grade Students
Parent Presentation Somers Lounge @ CSS (Evening)
Presentation #3 Parents “How to Create a Tech Ready Home” 6:30pm
THURSDAY 9/26
High School + St. John’s Campus ( Morning)
Presentation #4 9th - 11th Grade Students
Presentation #5 6th - 8th Grade Students
Presentation #6 4th - 5th Grade Students
Holy Rosary Campus (Afternoon)
Presentation #7 Kindergarten - 3rd Grade Students
Queen of Peace Church in Cloquet (Evening)
Presentation #8 Parents - “How to Create a Tech Ready Home” 6:30 - 8:00
Friday 9/27
Queen of Peace School (Morning)
Student Presentation Overviews
Technology is a Blast (Grades K-2)
The Protect Young Eyes team teaches kids how to use technology awesomely with age-appropriate language, engaging conversation, interactive activities, and videos. This presentation talks about screens, confusing pics and videos, predators, privacy, secrets, and the power of our words (typically around 25-30 minutes).
Although the main bullets are the same, the presentation decks are different between K-2 and 3-5, using age-appropriate images, illustrations, and videos. For faith-based situations, Scripture covered includes: John 10:10, Proverbs 6:6, Psalm 119:37, and James 3:6.
Technology is a Blast (Grades 3-5)
The Protect Young Eyes team teaches kids how to use technology awesomely with age-appropriate language, engaging conversation, interactive activities, and videos. This presentation talks about screens, confusing pics and videos, predators, privacy, secrets, and the power of our words (typically around 30-35 minutes).
For faith-based, Scripture covered includes: John 10:10, Proverbs 6:6, Psalm 119:37, and James 3:6.
Although the main bullets are the same, the presentation decks are different between K-2 and 3-5, using age-appropriate images, illustrations, and videos.
You Matter (Grades 6-8)
After many presentations in the US and beyond, we have discovered that students, like adults, desire to be known and have significance. Modern technology (especially social media) has tapped into this and offers a platform that often takes more than it gives back. We must remind students that THEY matter. This presentation covers topics such as digital footprints, pornography, bullying, sexting, privacy, mental health, and addiction (fits within a class period).
*We do not use the word pornography with students in grades K-6. Instead, we’ll use the words you see above: “confusing,” “unsafe,” “bad,” or “you know what we’re talking about (and they all nod their heads). If we happen to have just grades 7-8 together in a junior high talk, we will use the word pornography. We know that they are.
Heavy focus on Romans 5:8 and Psalm 139 for faith-based situations only.
You Matter (Grades 9-12)
After countless presentations in the US and beyond, we have discovered that students, like adults, desire to be known and have significance. Modern technology (especially social media) has tapped into this and offers a platform that often takes more than it gives back. We must remind students that THEY matter. This presentation covers topics such as digital footprints, pornography, bullying, sexting, privacy, mental health, and addiction (fits within a class period).
Although the main bullets are the same, the presentation decks are different between 6-8 and 9-12, using age-appropriate images, illustrations, and videos.
Heavy focus on Romans 5:8 and Psalm 139 for faith-based situations only.