Teacher Training
Teaching in a Digital World: Youth, Technology, Social Media, AI, & Mental Health
Details
This training is designed for teachers and led by licensed and nationally certified counselor and founder of Shape the Sky, Ryan Klingensmith. The goal of this presentation is to help teachers educate and guide children in creating a responsible and authentic image on social media and in an emerging AI-powered world.
We’ll identify the categories of social networking and AI-driven tools that educators should be aware of, watching for, and prepared to address with youth.
Description
Life for youth is different now than it was years ago. Teens, tweens, and children now have unlimited access to information, apps, websites—and increasingly, AI tools that can create, influence, or confuse just as quickly as they entertain. The internet can be helpful, but it can also expose youth to content and behaviors that may impact their mental health and shape how they see the world.
This is where Shape the Sky comes into play. We’re dedicated to helping create responsible, thoughtful digital citizens in an age of smartphones and AI. We provide teachers with up-to-date information about social media, online trends, and emerging AI technologies so they can ensure students are using their devices safely, responsibly, and with awareness.
We can adapt this training to you timeframe.
Note: this training doesn’t fulfill NBCC Credit Hours.
Learning Goals
- Participants will learn about how teaching and working with students has changed in a world shaped by smartphones, social media, and rapidly evolving AI tools.
- Participants will understand how AI and technology influence the way youth communicate, learn, create, and explore online spaces.
- Participants will learn how youth can be exposed to sexualized or developmentally inappropriate content on popular apps—even those used by elementary-aged students.
- Participants will gain the tools they need to have informed, confident discussions with students and parents about social media, technology, and AI.
- Participants will learn about the potential dangers found on social media, the internet, and apps, including the ways AI can amplify risks or blur reality for youth.
- Participants will learn how to use Shape the Sky tools and frameworks to promote healthy, safe, and responsible digital behaviors in students.
- Participants will understand what resources are available for addressing online safety concerns and supporting students navigating today’s digital world.
- Participants will learn how to support students in communicating about their online experiences, including conversations around AI, digital trends, and emerging technologies.
Learning Topics
- How teaching youth has changed
- Understanding current youth culture
- How AI is influencing youth behavior, learning, identity, and digital decision-making
- Age restrictions
- AI-generated content and the challenges of determining what is real
- How youth access apps, platforms, and features unknown to adults
- Creating guidelines and expectations for safe device and AI use
- Helping students navigate an AI-driven online world safely and responsibly
- How to start the conversation about technology and AI with youth
- Prevention steps for promoting safe and responsible digital behavior
- Monitoring services and tools that support healthy device use
- Using a Technology Contract to set clear expectations
- Taking a social media pledge to reinforce responsible online behavior
- How to set expectations for device use, online behavior, and AI interactions
- Access to online resources for staying current with technology, social media, and AI trends
Learn More About Ryan & Shape The Sky
Shape the Sky’s Founder, Ryan Klingensmith, is a parent and licensed counselor who works directly with high school and college students. Through this work, he gains first-hand insight into how social media and emerging technologies impact youth and young adults’ mental health. His expertise and experience allow Shape the Sky to provide relevant, reliable, and up-to-date information for families and professionals.
Questions? We're Here To Help.
Do you have questions about our teacher training or other Shape the Sky training sessions. If so, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re readily available to answer any questions.