Professional Training (Full Day)
Working with Youth in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Age: Technology, Social Media, and Mental Health
Details
This is a full-day training is designed for professionals who work with children and is led by licensed and nationally certified counselor and founder of Shape the Sky, Ryan Klingensmith. The goal of this presentation is to help professionals better understand how youth navigate social media, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence—and how to provide informed guidance around responsible online behavior.
During the training, participants will identify categories of social networking, commonly used apps, and emerging AI-driven tools that professionals should be aware of when working with youth.
Description
Life for youth is different now than it was just a few years ago. Teens, tweens, and children have unlimited access to information, apps, websites—and increasingly, artificial intelligence tools. While the internet and AI can be helpful and creative, they can also expose youth to concerning content and behaviors that may impact their mental health.
This is where Shape the Sky comes into play. We are dedicated to helping create responsible digital citizens in a world shaped by smartphones, devices, and artificial intelligence. We provide professionals with up-to-date information on social media, online trends, and emerging AI tools so they can deliver informed, relevant services in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Note: this training doesn’t fulfill NBCC Credit Hours.
Learning Goals
- Participants will be able to identify how children explore, consume, and share mental health–related information through technology, social media, and digital platforms influenced by artificial intelligence.
- Participants will learn how working with youth has changed in a world shaped by smartphones, social media, and emerging AI tools.
- Participants will learn about potential dangers associated with risky behaviors on social media, the internet, apps, and AI-driven platforms.
- Participants will learn how to use Shape the Sky resources and tools to support healthy, safe, and responsible digital behaviors among youth.
- Participants will learn how youth may be exposed to sexualized or developmentally inappropriate content and behaviors on apps popular with elementary-aged children, including content amplified by algorithms and AI features.
- Participants will learn about resources available for addressing mental health concerns and suicide prevention when these issues arise in digital or online contexts.
Learning Topics
- How the world has changed working with youth
- Being a digital professional with youth
- Why kids don’t talk to adults about technology
- Understanding current youth culture
- Deep Web vs. Dark Web
- Accessing the Dark Web through apps and web browsers
- Understanding Deepfakes, Deepnudes, and Deepporns
- Sextortion
- Revenge Porn
- Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) and Proxy Servers
- Image blogs
- Online grooming
- Age restrictions
- Cyberbullying resources
- Fake text messages
- “Parasite” websites
- Terms, images & language related to “parasite websites”
- Trolls & behaviors
- “Gore” & death sites then and now
- Common mistakes
- Sharing private information & digital identity risks
- Social media and substance-related content
- Digital currencies and red flags
- AI and youth culture (AI chatbots, AI companions, AI girlfriends)
- AI-generated content (fake images, altered videos, misinformation)
- Face swaps, and AI manipulation
- How AI changes relationships, learning, and decision-making
- Digital dating & online relationship concerns
- Untraceable and disappearing messages
- “Anonymous” and pseudo-anonymous apps
- Mental health warning signs in the digital age
- How technology and AI impact anxiety, depression, and self-esteem
- How to start conversations with kids and teens
- Prevention-focused strategies (not fear-based)
- When and how to monitor a device appropriately
- Setting healthy expectations and boundaries
- Using a Technology Contract
- Taking a social media pledge
Learn More About Ryan & Shape The Sky
Shape the Sky’s founder, Ryan Klingensmith, is a parent and licensed mental health professional who works regularly with children, adolescents, and young adults. Through his work, he gains firsthand insight into how smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence influence youth behavior, development, and well-being. His experience and expertise allow Shape the Sky to provide relevant, reliable, and practical information in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Questions? We're Here To Help.
Do you have questions about our professional training or other Shape the Sky training sessions. If so, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re readily available to answer any questions.