Parenting in the Digital Age: Reducing Childhood Anxiety

"Parenting in the Digital Age: Reducing Childhood Anxiety” is a community conversation for parents and caregivers exploring how technology is shaping childhood, mental health, learning, and family life.

Facilitated by experienced educators Jillian Mezera and Paige Friedman Young, the workshop is based on the work of Grant Eustice and Michelle Gustafson of MN Unplugged and the Distraction Free Schools Policy Project, and draws from the books The Anxious Generation and 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World. Together, participants will explore the rise of the phone-based childhood, the importance of play and independence, and practical, research-informed strategies families can use to create healthier and more intentional relationships with technology.

The workshop is designed to be supportive, non-judgmental, and action-oriented.

If class is full, please enroll to be added to the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Park Unplugged

Instructor

Jillian Mezera has worked in elementary education for more than 16 years, serving as both a primary classroom teacher and, most recently, a small-group teacher supporting struggling readers. Passionate about helping children grow in confidence and develop a love of learning, she brings both professional experience and a parent perspective to her work. Jillian is also the parent of three elementary-aged children in St. Louis Park Public Schools.

Paige Friedman Young has been a St. Louis Park resident for more than 13 years and has worked as a school social worker for the past 16 years across elementary, middle, and high school settings. She currently works at an alternative high school, where she is passionate about supporting students’ well-being, growth, and connection. Outside of work, Paige is an avid reader, baker, and skier, and is the parent of three students in St. Louis Park Public Schools.

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