Digital Parenting Is Relational | Janell Burley Hoffman | 2 Min Read

This week I was talking to my oldest son. He’s a recent university grad and cycling through graduate school application season to become a mental health therapist. He thinks about relationships and systems in his work and life and is often someone I talk to about tech and its impact on society — particularly children and families. I was sharing with him how the families with whom I work have been overwhelmed by screentime-related research, contraindications, and guidance lately. Screens feel imperative in society right now, but we’re also made to feel scared and cautioned about the risk. It evokes anxiety and second-guessing, which can bring real tension to at-home dynamics. 

I go on to tell him when I’m in a conversation about screens and digital parenting with various communities and caregiver groups, they are really begging for a prescription or fixated on “right” and “wrong” use of screens. It can be a challenging part of my job because I believe it is more nuanced than that. And deeper. I tell my son that I want to give them tools to set boundaries and engage with tech, but mostly I want to ease their mind. He asks me what…

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Janell Burley Hofmann

Janell Burley Hofmann is an international author, speaker and consultant specializing on the topics of technology, media, health, relationships and well-being. Janell is the creator of the original iPhone contract and a thought leader in the space of digital mindfulness, digital parenting and intentional use of tech. She is the author of the book, iRules: What Every Tech-Healthy Family Needs to Know About Selfies, Sexting, Gaming and Growing Up published by Rodale, Inc. Janell is the founder of the Slow Tech Movement and iRules Academy. Janell has worked on four continents across diverse demographics, cultures, religions, and socioeconomics. Sensitive to the needs of each community, Janell works with schools, youth, families, educators, and organizations while offering private coaching and consulting sessions. Janell’s professional expertise and personal experience as a mother of five children builds strong connections with a wide and varied population. Janell engages readers, clients and audiences in relevant and meaningful conversations igniting personal empowerment, awareness and purpose in a partnership that will positively impact all. Janell’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media Studies, a Master’s Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking and she is currently working towards her licensure in mental health counseling. Her featured talks include two-time TEDx presenter, SxSW, YPO Southeast Asia Summit, Peace Corp Workshop Leader, Homecoming Day Nagoya University, Nagoya Japan, YPO Middle East Tour, Women2Women International Summit and MIT Strata Center. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, USA Today, National Public Radio, BBC News and The Associated Press.