Meta and National PTA join forces to tackle digital parenting challenges

National PTA and Meta have announced a new partnership to empower parents and caregivers with practical resources, insights, and guidance to address age-appropriate online habits within their families confidently.

In a world where there is more danger than ever online, family engagement in teens' digital lives is vital. However, parents and carers will sometimes need help initiating and maintaining open dialogues about digital usage and screen time.

National PTA and Meta are launching Screen Smart workshops across various cities in the USA to address this. These workshops will educate parents and caregivers, including state, regional, and local PTA leaders, on utilising supervision features on Meta’s platforms. The sessions will also facilitate discussions on parents' most pressing questions regarding screen time and digital devices. Additionally, attendees will hear from academics and clinicians on supporting teens' online activities.

Antigone Davis, Meta's Global Head of Safety, explained the company’s role:

"We want to reassure parents that we're on their side when it comes to providing them with simple ways to manage their teens' online experiences.

 "Meta has built more than 50 tools, features and resources for parents, and this collaboration with National PTA allows us to put more education in the hands of parents when they need it most so they can confidently navigate their teens' online habits."

Earlier this year, PTA leaders participated in Screen Smart events in Colorado, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Texas. The programme is expanding with an event in Los Angeles, featuring a panel discussion with National PTA President Yvonne Johnson.

Yvonne Johnson, President of National PTA, highlighted the initiative’s importance: 

"Families tell us that they need and want more information when it comes to devices, the internet, social media and screen time. We remain committed to bringing knowledge, tools and resources to help families navigate digital challenges together and thrive. 

“Expanding our collaboration with Meta provides an opportunity to give parents and caregivers access to practical resources, expert insights and guidance so they can support healthy digital habits for their teens."

The collaboration with Meta is part of PTA Connected, an initiative by National PTA that seeks to improve digital access and equity, digital safety and wellbeing, cybersecurity, and digital literacy for all children. Facebook was a founding sponsor of the initiative in 2018, and National PTA and Facebook hosted 200 Digital Families Community 

Events at schools across the country during the 2018-2019 school year. National PTA and Instagram have also hosted community events and supported parents with the Parent's Guide to Instagram.

Nathan R. Monell, CAE, Executive Director of National PTA, emphasised the ongoing commitment to digital parenting: 

"National PTA has been a partner to parents on digital parenting topics, exploring in-depth the issues that are on the minds of today's families, and connecting them with tools, research and support. 

“Our PTA Connected initiative is the foundation of our work in this area, through which we're striving to help children act safely, responsibly and thoughtfully online," said National PTA Executive Director Nathan R. Monell, CAE. "We are pleased to be collaborating with Meta in this effort as we know there is still so much work to do in this area."