After Surgeon General’s Mental Health Warning, Chicago-Area Author Pr…

School’s either out or about to let out for the summer. That means kids will have a lot more time on their hands.

These days, that often means more time spent in front of a screen.

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy recently issued a warning that social media presents a “profound risk of harm” to kids’ mental health. He’s calling on families to set limits on social media use and for lawmakers to issue tougher standards on technology platforms to protect kids.

Skokie author Devorah Heitner is a frequent speaker at schools and companies where she provides parents practical advice on how to stay connected with their kids’ online life. She encourages parents to find a balance between respecting their kids’ privacy, while keeping them safe in a digital world.

Heitner is the author of “Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World.” Her newest book, “Growing Up In Public,” will be released in September 2023.

Below is an excerpt from the…