UPPER DUBLIN, PA — The Upper Dublin Education Foundation has launched Tech Trek: Navigating the Digital Highway, an online resource designed to help families make informed decisions about technology use, from a child’s first device to managing social media and gaming safety.
Developed in collaboration with experts in digital wellness, child development, and local community leaders, Tech Trek aims to equip parents with practical, research-backed guidance on raising digitally responsible children in an increasingly connected world.
“Parenting in the digital age is one of today’s most pressing challenges,” said Michelle Boas, Executive Director of the Upper Dublin Education Foundation. “Technology shapes so much of our children’s lives, bringing both opportunities and real concerns. Tech Trek gives families the tools to navigate digital well-being so students can stay engaged, healthy, and ready to thrive.”
The platform draws on insights from leading researchers and organizations, including Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Jonathan Haidt, and the Organization for Social Media Safety.
“Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the digital landscape our kids are navigating today looks vastly different from even just a few years ago,” said Dr. Heitner. “Parents need resources that help them stay engaged and informed as platforms change, new risks emerge, and their children’s digital needs evolve. The key is staying curious and connected rather than trying to control from a distance.”
Tech Trek focuses on four primary areas:
- Device Readiness: Tools to help families decide when children are ready for phones or tablets and how to set evolving technology agreements.
- Social Media Safety: Platform-specific privacy guidance and tips for introducing social apps safely and responsibly.
- Gaming Communities: Advice for managing online gaming habits, preventing overspending, and recognizing problematic behavior.
- Screen Time Balance: Strategies for maintaining healthy routines that emphasize connection and quality use over rigid restrictions.
The initiative encourages mentorship over monitoring, emphasizing open communication and modeling of positive online behavior.
“Our goal is not to prescribe one ‘right’ way to parent in the digital age, but to empower families with the tools, research, and language they need to make informed choices that align with their values,” Boas said. “Every child is different. Every family is different. But when families have clear, trustworthy information, they can approach technology with greater confidence and less stress.”
Tech Trek complements the Upper Dublin School District’s technology policies by focusing on out-of-school digital use. It includes interactive checklists, conversation prompts, and guides to help parents evaluate their child’s digital readiness.
The Foundation will promote Tech Trek throughout the 2025–2026 school year through community events, partnerships, and digital outreach. An advisory council of local experts is being formed to guide the program’s continued development.
The initiative was made possible through a donation from a member of the Upper Dublin community.
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