SCREENS & TEENS. On Sept. 10 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Davies Student Center (77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire), Mayo Clinic Health System invites community members to its annual Imagine Lecture. The free-to-attend event will be led by Dr. Angela Mattke, to discuss screen time and media habits for children and teens. (Photo via Unsplash)
Children and teens are growing up in a world where screens, social media and digital technology are woven into nearly every aspect of daily life. While media can create opportunities for learning, connection and creativity, many parents and caregivers navigate questions about how screen time affects children’s health, behavior and emotional well-being.
To help families better understand these challenges, Mayo Clinic Health System invites community members to a free Imagine Lecture at 7pm on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Davies Student Center (77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire). The annual community lecture series brings thought-provoking topics and expert insights to the Chippewa Valley.
This year’s featured speaker, Dr. Angela Mattke, is a pediatrician specializing in community pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center in Rochester, Minn.
Drawing on years of research and experience working with children, teens and families, Dr. Mattke will discuss the evolving role of screen time and social media in young people’s lives and offer practical strategies to build healthy media habits.
With nearly two decades of experience working alongside families and caregivers, Dr. Mattke recognizes media use is complex and highly individualized. She emphasizes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing screen time and that meaningful conversations begin with understanding each child’s unique circumstances.
About the Imagine Lecture
Established in honor of the late Dr. David Winter, the Imagine Lecture brings nationally recognized experts to the Chippewa Valley to explore timely topics that spark curiosity, inspire innovation and strengthen our community. The annual lecture is presented free of charge by Mayo Clinic Health System and is open to all community members.
“We have seen a huge shift in how much children and teens are consuming media,” Dr. Mattke said. “We are all just trying to do our best; I have these conversations (with an) open mind.
“(Media use) is kind of a yin and yang thing – sometimes it gets to be too much and a discussion can be helpful. I notice it sometimes even with my own family,” she continued.
Dr. Angela Mattke, pictured above. (Image via Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Dr. Mattke voiced several practices she models to patients – and her own family – for how to best manage screen time with children. For her, being intentional about screen use comes from research into the ways kids can struggle with their emotions when too much time is spent on devices.
“In our family, we call that ‘pressing the reset button’ and making sure that we are thinking about our use mindfully and appropriately to make sure that we’re doing all the things we need to do, to keep my kids healthy and strong – the same (goes) for myself,” Dr. Mattke said.
Some of these recommendations – with more to be shared at the annual Imagine Lecture – include an emphasis on each individual child’s media use.
Instead of uniform rules, caregivers can evaluate how screen time influences specific emotional patterns each child exhibits: temper tantrums, focus or sleep issues and mental health, among others.
Caregivers are also encouraged to assess the content quality of media consumed, Dr. Mattke added. While some content can be beneficial, other content might encourage more aggressive behaviors or promote unrealistic standards and expectations for kids.
If a family, perhaps, can’t easily decrease the overall amount of screen time in the household, they might swap out the type of content. Dr. Mattke often suggests Common Sense Media or the American Academy Pediatrics Media Plan as two avenues for age-based media reviews and objective recommendations backed by research.
Most of all, Dr. Mattke intends for all media conversations to be approached with empathy; conversations around screen time should be open-minded, non-judgmental and recognize caregivers are simply doing their best under each unique circumstance.
The Imagine Lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is requested as seating is limited. Community members, families, educators and caregivers are encouraged to reserve their spot today by visiting the event webpage for additional details: www.mayoclinichealthsystem.
Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire
Address: 1221 Whipple St., Eau Claire
Phone: (715) 838-3311
Website: mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/eau-claire
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