Invitation to parent evening 'Teenagers behind their screens'
Why is it so hard for teenagers to put down their games and social media? And why does this cause so much conflict at home, at school, or at work? In this lively talk on games and social media, Aletta Smits takes you on a journey through the mind of a teenager as they spend time behind the screen.
Three questions are central to this discussion: What makes adolescents tick, and what makes them particularly susceptible to video games and social media apps? How are video games and apps designed, and how does their design exploit adolescents’ vulnerability? And what drives parents’ behavior: when are their concerns justified, and when are they actually overreacting?
As we answer those questions, we also come across some surprising things. For example, what are they learning behind that screen? It’s more than you might think. Or that they themselves are actually fed up with their own media use (and sometimes, incidentally, with that of the adults around them). And that a day of binge-watching is okay once in a while. But that the number of hours per day really does need to go down.
This talk offers plenty of moments when you’ll find yourself smiling broadly as you look in the mirror, and it also provides practical guidance—both regarding their safety (say they’ve sent an inappropriate photo; what can you do to help?) and tips for limiting their media use.
Practical information
Parent Evening: Teens Behind the Screen – by Aletta Smits
Monday, June 1, 2026
Doors open at 7:15 PM, Starts at 7:30 PM
Location: Singelland BHS Gorredijk, Hendrik Ringenoldusstrjitte 3
Participation is free, but registration is required. You can register via the link below:
Adolescents, stress, alcohol, drugs, social media, growing up happy and healthy... How?
