About this Workshop
We live in an evolutionary period of human history where the unparalleled benefits and life-changing opportunities of technology are accompanied by increasing and alarmingly high technology-related psychological and well-being disorders among our children and adolescents (WHO, 2024*; RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics: Engaging in online activity, 2025**)..
This workshop is timely and highly relevant to parents and teachers. Utilising leading-edge neuroscience, the workshop offers valuable insights into smartphone design and its impact on the child and adolescent brain. Taking a balanced approach, the workshop not only provides practical guidelines for protecting your family from tech's darkest sides but also provides you with a "Healthy Tech Habits Guide" - a framework for helping your child grow and thrive in a digital age.
Content
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Welcome: Background, aims and objectives of this Workshop
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What’s Happening to Our Children? Latest Research Findings / Highlights
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Why is this Happening? Neuroscience & How Technology affects the Child & Adolescent Brain
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How Can We Keep our Children Safe? Practical steps for staying safe online while providing a framework for helping your child to thrive and grow in a technological world. (“The Healthy Tech Habits Guide”)
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Q & A Discussion: Advice on dealing with tech-related issues, anxiety, managing screen time, mood changes, at-risk behaviors, etc.
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Closure & Further Support
About the Presenter
Noel Cleere BSc.(Hons) C & P, APC, TDipIT, is a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, trainer, and teacher with 40 years experience in educational technology provisioning in schools. Noel is currently studying for his master's degree in child & adolescent psychotherapy (tech addiction specialization) and also holds certifications in neuroscience.
* RCPI Faculty of Paediatrics: Engaging in online activity (2025). Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. https://www.rcpi.ie/Portals/0/Document%20Repository/News/2025/Faculty%20of%20Paediatrics%20Position%20Paper_Online%20Activity_May%202025.pdf?ver=mFDJq4OUNteqd8V3ID1a-w%3D%3D (Accessed: September 28, 2025).
** World Health Organization: WHO (2024) 'Teens, screens and mental health,' WHO News Europe, 25 September. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/25-09-2024-teens--screens-and-mental-health.