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OMAHA — Panelists including students and digital media and media health experts will lead a March 10 “community conversation” in Omaha to help demystify what Nebraska teens experience online.
The event, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Elkhorn North High School, will be hosted by Elkhorn Public Schools and Lutheran Family Services’ Smart Gen Society. Organizers anticipate an audience of about 500.
The discussion is designed to “empower families in an increasingly digital age,” said a statement from Lutheran Family Services. According to a National Center for Health Statistics study from July 2021 through December 2023, about half of teens self-reported spending four or more hours a day in front of a screen.
Organizers of the community forum say overuse of digital media can lead to negative physical and mental health outcomes and online interactions can present dangers that parents and caregivers are not aware of or don’t fully understand. They hope to relay “practical strategies” and helpful community resources.
The event follows a separate announcement earlier this week by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers that the state is suing online gaming platform Roblox to hold it “accountable for misleading Nebraska parents and children” about its dangers.
Leading the Omaha-area event will be two panels, one with law enforcement, health and other experts in youth digital media. Another panel will be led by Elkhorn students and faculty.
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