Families struggling at home during the current coronavirus restrictions are encouraged to tune in to a free, parenting webinar which aims to address common COVID-19 concerns for parents – in particular, increased screen time among children and young people.
Parenting experts Dr Justin Coulson and Dr Kirsty Goodwin will present Children and screens: adapting to this new reality on Tuesday, May 12 at 7pm.
The State Government supported webinar, run through Parenting SA, will cover common questions including:
- Are my children spending too much time on screens?
- How should I handle 'techno-tantrums' when it's time to turn screens off?
- How can I manage children's screen use when I'm working at home too?
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink encouraged parents and carers to tune into the webinar.
"We know social distancing is essential for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and the current restrictions have meant that many South Australian families have been in isolation for many weeks," said Minister Lensink.
"For families, it's no surprise that young people often turn to technology, and therefore increased screen time to bust boredom and this webinar will focus on giving parents simple tips to help them through this pandemic.
"In addition to tuning into this webinar, I'd really encourage parents and carers to head to the State Government's Parenting SA website – it's filled with tips, and lots of information and support for families at all times – and especially now.
"The Parenting SA website also has free guides for families who need help, including step-by-step support for parents dealing with crisis, bedwetting, bullying, feeding toddlers, sleep and for new parents."
Dr Couslon, a psychologist and father-of-six daughters, said the webinar would focus on common questions from parents about managing screen time boundaries at this time.
"We'll talk about how to establish appropriate boundaries, without you having to be the controlling parents whose always at your kids," said Dr Coulson.
"The webinar will run for about 40 minutes and we're really focusing on giving parents answers now to help them in the home."
