How can parents navigate the minefield of screen time, social media and online influences? Following an alarming report on the rising rates of excessive screen use and digital dependency among Monaco’s teenagers, the Entreparents support group is set to host an engaging – and timely – conference exploring these pressing issues, offering expert advice and practical tools to help families raising children in a tech-saturated world.
In partnership with Action Innocence Monaco and the British School of Monaco, the Monaco Government-backed Entreparents network will be holding its inaugural Supporting Parents in the Era of Smartphones and Social Networks event at the Charles III College auditorium at 6.20pm on Thursday 24th April. The event will seek to address growing concerns about children and young people’s digital habits, as well as the challenges parents and families face in managing them.
The conference is being held in response to mounting data that points to the negative impact of screen time on young people. For example, a 2024 World Health Organization study found that the sleep and development of a shocking 75% of European children aged three to four are being affected by excessive screen time. Meanwhile, IMSEE, Monaco’s own statistical agency, published the results of its European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in January. The report, which covered a variety of topics from cigarettes and alcohol to social patterns, flagged a worrying statistic: the vast majority of Principality students aged 15 and up are habitually spending more than two hours online each day. 30% said they spent six hours a day or more on social media on weekends and during the holidays.
Widespread public concerns about the influence of social platforms and digital algorithms have also been raised in the recent Netflix documentary series Adolescence, which was cited as part of the context for this upcoming event in Monaco.
The programme will begin with expert talks led by guest speakers including Agnès Guénin, a psychomotor therapist and parental coach, who will discuss early childhood attachment in a digital age; clinical psychologist Damien Scolari, who will speak about screen-related behavioural risks in children; and Georges Gambarini, Deputy Director of Monaco’s Digital Services Department, who will outline the legal framework and best practices related to social networks and new technologies.
The second part of the evening will highlight local initiatives that aim to support parents and promote healthier digital habits. These include the PhoneWall project, a joint initiative by the British School of Monaco and Monaco Telecom, as well as the ongoing work and campaigns from Action Innocence Monaco, the Mairie de Monaco’s Les Espaces Parents initiative, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Théâtre des Muses. An open discussion with participants will follow, before the event concludes at 8pm.
Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited seating. Interested participants are asked to reserve a seat via email at hello@entreparents.mc.
Read related:
Monaco’s teens are ditching cigarettes and alcohol but binge on screen time
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Photo source: Createasea, Unsplash