It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information about screens.
Every day, parents are bombarded with headlines, opinions, research studies, and advice about technology, social media, gaming, and childhood.
Some of it is helpful. Some of it is confusing. And much of it leaves parents wondering exactly what they should do.
This conference is designed to cut through the noise, to focus on the fundamental question:
What do children need to thrive in today's world?
Technology is changing rapidly, but one thing hasn't changed: parents remain the most powerful influence in their children's lives.
This conference is about understanding what children need to flourish—so you can make confident decisions about technology instead of reacting to the latest headline.
This conference isn't about fear, guilt, or one-size-fits-all solutions. It's about understanding what children need most—and how parents can support their child to thrive in the age of screens. When you understand what children truly need to thrive, decisions about screens become much more clear.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Your child melts down when it's time to turn off a screen.
You find yourself negotiating for "five more minutes."
All your child wants to do is play video games.
You worry about what your child might be seeing online.
You feel like you're fighting about screens every day.
You don't know what limits make sense anymore.
You feel guilty about how much your family relies on screens.
"Everyone else has a phone!" My child won't stop begging for one.
And deep down...
you worry that you're losing connection with your child.
Join thousands of parents who want to raise healthy,
connected children in a digital world.
October 20–22
Get Your Free TicketAn invitation from Dr. Laura Markham:
Learn how to introduce technology gradually,
with guidance, conversation, and age-appropriate responsibility.
Meet Your Expert Guides
A growing lineup of today's leading experts. Each expert brings a different piece of the puzzle. Together, they offer a roadmap for helping children thrive in a digital world.
Dr. Shefali
Ailen Arreaza
Dr. Peter Gray
Kirra Pendergast
Jessica Joelle Alexander
Maggie Dent
Kris Perry, MSW
Dr. Jean Twenge
Diana Graber
Dr. Michael Rich
Lenore Skenazy
Dr. Laura Markham
Screens Are Only Part of the Story
Most conversations about screens focus on what children should do less of.
Technology matters. But children don't develop because of screens—they develop through connection, play, movement, sleep, emotional safety, real-world experiences, and loving relationships. This conference explores how to protect those foundations while helping children build a healthy relationship with technology.
LESS
Screen time
Gaming
Social media
YouTube
Devices
MORE
Connection
Play
Independence
Sleep
Movement
Emotional Intelligence
Real-World Relationships
Resilience
Confidence
Three Days, One Roadmap
October 20–22
Learn what children need to thrive—
and how to help them build a healthy relationship with technology.
Tuesday,
October 20
How Childhood Changed
in the Digital Age
What changed, why it matters,
and what today's children are facing.
Wednesday,
October 21
What Healthy
Development
Looks Like in a
Digital World
What children need for healthy development—and how to protect it in a digital world.
Thursday,
October 22
What Parents
Can Do: Digital
Apprenticeship
Helping children
develop a healthy
relationship with
technology over
time.
Meet Dr. Laura Markham
Dr. Laura Markham is a clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and the author of the bestselling book Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, translated into more than 25 languages.
For more than two decades, she has helped parents strengthen their relationships with their children by translating child development research into practical, compassionate tools that work in real life.
As the host of What Kids Need Most in a Digital World, Dr. Laura brings together leading experts in child development, psychology, education, play, and digital well-being to explore one of the biggest challenges facing families today: How do we help children thrive in a world where technology is part of everyday life?
Together, you'll move beyond fear, guilt, and screen battles to discover practical, research-based strategies that support healthy development, stronger relationships, and lifelong well-being.
What You'll Learn
Start with what children need.
What children need to thrive at every age and stage of development.
How play, sleep, movement, connection, and real-world experiences support healthy development.
How to to strengthen your connection with your child.
How to help your child build resilience, emotional well-being, self-regulation, and healthy life habits.
Apply those principles in a digital world.
What the latest research says about screens, mental health, social media, and child development.
Make confident decisions about smartphones, gaming, social media, and online safety.
Create healthy family tech habits without constant conflict.
How your relationship with your child can become your greatest protection in a digital world.
Join Us Free or Upgrade to VIP
Attend Free
Watch the Conference Live
October 20–22, 2026
✔ Access all conference sessions during the event
✔ Watch each day's interviews for 24 hours
✔ Learn from leading experts in child development, psychology, education, play, and digital well-being
✔ Discover practical, research-based strategies you can use with your family
✔ Join thousands of parents from around the world
VALUE
Upgrade to VIP
Start Learning Right Away.
Watch at Your Own Pace. Available beginning in September!
✔ 12 Months Access to All Sessions
✔ Audio Recordings
✔ Full Transcripts
✔ Conference Workbook
✔ Bonus Resources from Speakers
✔ Rewatch your favorite interviews anytime
✔ Never worry about missing a session
✔ Dr. Laura's practical guide to Digital Apprenticeship and creating a healthier family relationship with technology.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Everything about this conference is designed to make it simple, supportive, and easy to join.
Here are the answers parents ask most often.
Getting Started
When is the conference?
The conference takes place October 20–22, 2026.
Is the conference free?
Yes. You can register for free and watch each day’s interviews during the conference.
How do I access the interviews?
Free attendees receive access to each day's interviews during the conference dates. If you upgrade to VIP, you'll receive immediate access to the entire conference library, including recordings, transcripts, and bonus resources.
Do I need to attend live?
No. Your free ticket gives you access to each day's interviews for 24 hours after they're released. If you'd rather watch on your own schedule—or revisit the sessions later—you can upgrade to the VIP Pass for 12 months of access, along with audio recordings, transcripts, the conference workbook, and bonus resources.
About the Conference
Is this conference anti-technology?
Not at all. Technology is an important part of modern life, and our children need to learn how to use it well. This conference isn't about eliminating screens—it's about understanding what children need to thrive and how parents can help them build a healthy relationship with technology at every stage of development.
Is this conference only about screens?
No. While we'll discuss screens, smartphones, social media, gaming, and online safety, the conference is really about something bigger: what children need to thrive in today's world. Technology is only part of the story.
Will the talks cover smartphones, social media, gaming, and online safety?
Yes. We'll explore today's biggest questions about smartphones, social media, gaming, online safety, digital citizenship, and helping children develop healthy technology habits. But we'll also go beyond screens to discuss connection, play, sleep, movement, resilience, emotional well-being, and healthy relationships.
Is This Right for My Family?
Will I still benefit if my child is still young?
Absolutely. The early years are one of the most important times to build the foundations for healthy development. You'll learn what babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children need to thrive, along with age-appropriate guidance to help you make thoughtful decisions about technology from the very beginning.
My child is already a teenager. Is it too late?
It's never too late to strengthen your relationship with your child or support healthier technology habits. You'll hear practical strategies for navigating smartphones, social media, gaming, online safety, and the unique challenges of adolescence—while keeping connection at the center.
What if my child doesn't seem to have a screen problem?
This conference isn't just for families who are struggling with screens. It's for any parent who wants to understand how children develop in today's digital world and make thoughtful decisions about technology as their child grows.
Community & Support
Will there be an opportunity to ask questions?
Yes. Throughout the conference, you'll be invited to join our private discussion community, where you can ask questions, share insights, and connect with other parents as you watch the sessions.
While the conference does not include live Q&A with each expert, many of the questions parents ask are woven into the interviews themselves, and the discussion community is a wonderful place to continue the conversation with other parents.
Ready to feel more confident about raising your child in a digital world?
October 20–22
Get Your Free Ticket