Community Conversation: Digital Media’s Impact on Children

As our world becomes more engaged and dependent on digital media, this presents great opportunities, but also some disturbing effects on young people and their intellectual, social, and even physical development.  This conversation explores the impact of technology on our children and what is our role should be as parents and community members.

Dr. Jeffrey Boxer:  pediatrician at Monadnock Pediatrics, Peterborough

Beth Bradford: Parent Educator at The Grapevine Family Resource Center, Antrim

Helfried Zrzavy: Technology Integration Specialist, Conval High School

Dr. Paul Frehner: psychologist and therapist, Peterborough

Daniel Frehner: ConVal High School student, Hancock

Following a short presentation from each panelist there will be moderated conversation, and widespread participation is encouraged.

Beth Bradford has been the Family Support Director at The Grapevine for over ten years. She coordinates parenting, family support and early childhood programs. Beth has a degree in child development and a master’s in organizational management. She has been working with children and families for over twenty years, including work around the globe to improve the lives of vulnerable children. In addition, Beth is parent to two teenage boys.

Dr. Jeffrey Boxer has been a pediatrician in Peterborough since 1979. He completed medical school at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY and pediatric residency at Wilmington Delaware’s Medical Center.  He is the father of 2 grown children and grandfather of 5.

Helfried Zrzavy is the Technology Integration Specialist at ConVal Regional High School. On a daily basis, he provides support in the effective and ethical use of technology to staff, teachers, and students. He collaborates with professional staff in matters of curriculum mapping, instructional design, and assessment. Dr. Zrzavy holds a Ph.D. in American Culture Studies with a specialization in Intellectual History and was the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce 2003 Citizen of the Year.

Paul Frehner is a clinical psychologist. He graduated from Antioch in Keene. He’s he’s born in Switzerland has become an American citizen. He is married and is the father of four children. He has a private practice in Peterborough New Hampshire and specializes in trauma, family conflict and attachment issues.

Daniel Frehner is a student at ConVal High School.

Community Conversations is a series that explores many of the issues impacting our communities. A partnership between the Monadnock Center for History and Culture and the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, each Conversation features local experts talking about challenges faced by our communities. Some issues are global in nature, but each conversation is designed to examine the topic from a local perspective. The program provides residents with the opportunity to learn more about key issues impacting their communities, to engage in a civil dialog with speakers and with each other, and to come away with a sense that there are things that individuals and communities can do to foster change and improvement. The program is free and open to all.