There’s no doubt that technology usage is having an impact on our children’s health and well-being. The signs of the health impact on our kids can be seen in the increase of reported sleep deprivation and reduced physical activity, as well as even more troubling trends like the prevalence of cyberbullying on social media and gaming, the rise of online predators and increasing signs of youth mental health issues.

All of these trends highlight the urgent need for improved tools to support parents as they help their children foster healthy online behaviors. That’s why Aura has launched its Digital Parenthood initiative, convening the brightest minds in research, medicine, child psychology, education and advocacy for the youth experience online to jumpstart a national conversation around healthy online behaviors and to give parents the tools they need to raise kids who can confidently and safely navigate the online world.

The Digital Parenthood Summit & Community

To kick off the initiative, Aura hosted a Digital Parenthood Summit in New York City in early June, bringing together experts in research, medicine, child psychology, and education. Speakers included Dr. Becky Kennedy, Dr. Marc Brackett, Dr. Lisa Damour, and Chrissy Teigen, who addressed crucial topics ranging from cyberbullying and social media use to body image. Sessions were designed to empower parents with practical advice on fostering healthy online behaviors in their children.

Aura started the conversation about online safety–now, we’re keeping it going with our Digital Parenthood Community, a free online forum accessible via DigitalParenthood.com, designed to support and empower families by providing easy access to tools, resources and expertise as parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising a connected generation.

Through the platform, parents have direct access to informative content from Aura’s Digital Parenthood Coalition partners, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Common Sense Media, the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and more. These expert organizations will provide insight into the challenges of raising digitally native kids, such as how to have conversations about online predators, cyberbullying and social media. Parents can additionally submit a question within the community to receive an answer from a top expert in the Digital Parenthood Coalition.

Content from the Digital Parenthood Summit will also become available on the Community, allowing anyone to tune in to hear the expert insights shared on the Digital Parenthood stage.

In the year ahead, the Digital Parenthood Community will introduce more exciting features to further enrich the community experience, providing additional tools and support for families. Join us at DigitalParenthood.com to help further a national conversation around what it takes to raise a connected, informed, and empowered generation.