ODL 356: Kids’ Brains and Screens

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Addiction Professionals
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Created On:  9/17/25                    

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups: 

4. Counseling Services
6. Case Management

Overview:

This evidence-based training draws from ScreenStrong’s Kids’ Brains & Screens curriculum and is specifically adapted for professionals working with children, adolescents, and families. Grounded in neuroscience and developmental psychology, the session explores the differential impacts of screen types—including social media, video games, and pornography—on the developing brain.

The workshop equips professionals with concrete strategies and tools to educate and counsel families on creating healthier digital environments. Attendees will learn how to support parents in setting boundaries and fostering intentional use of personal devices, as well as how to collaborate across systems to reduce screen-related harm and promote resilience. This empowering session provides the knowledge and practical guidance needed to help families make informed, values-aligned decisions around screen time and technology use.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Describe key principles of healthy brain development in children and adolescents, including critical stages of neurodevelopment and the role of environmental influences.
• Differentiate between various types of screen-based media (e.g., educational, recreational, interactive, and passive) and articulate their respective impacts on cognitive, emotional, and social development.
• Identify evidence-based strategies that support healthy brain development and mitigate potential harms associated with excessive or inappropriate screen use.
• Evaluate and apply intervention and prevention techniques for addressing screen overuse and digital dependency in children and adolescents within clinical, educational, or family systems.

Presenter:

Mandee Hamann, Ambassador Liaison and Speaker with ScreenStrong

Mandee Hamann brings a wealth of experience as a businesswoman and a former early childhood/elementary pastor, and over a decade of youth ministry experience alongside her husband, Jeremy. Mandee has long been dedicated to supporting families and nurturing the growth of young minds.

Driven by her own family’s journey through challenges with screen use, Mandee became impassioned about promoting a healthier approach to technology use. In 2020, she joined forces with ScreenStrong as an Ambassador, wholeheartedly committed to spreading their empowering message to reclaim the children of this digital age.

Based in Iowa with her husband and three children, Mandee is deeply rooted in her community and tirelessly advocates for the importance of reclaiming real-world connections over digital distractions. Her personal experiences and professional expertise make her a valuable asset in the ongoing mission to empower families and safeguard the well-being of children everywhere.