2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/16/2026 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | Screen Time Safety - Guiding Families Towards Effective Digital Media Use | City Terrace 6
Screen Time Safety - Guiding Families Towards Effective Digital Media Use
For most families, digital media is a part of everyday life. We use our phones and other devices in countless ways for communication, daily tasks, shopping, learning, navigation, and entertainment. Although there is a lot of good that comes with the conveniences of digital media, there can be pitfalls as well, especially for young children. This presentation will focus on ways that busy families can avoid the problems associated with digital media use while at the same time harnessing the positive power of digital media to help foster language development with their children.
Guidelines provided by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding screen time for children will be shared as well as techniques to keep screen time within those guidelines. Risks for noise-induced hearing loss will be explained and audiological information regarding loudness levels and safe streaming levels for electronic devices will be presented. Tips and strategies for effective use of digital media materials to enhance everyday communication and language development will be provided and discussed.
- The participant will list three ways that parents can safely use digital media to foster language development with their children.
- The participant will identify ways to mitigate potential risks involved with digital media use, including noise exposure.
- The participant will develop ways to share information related to digital media safety with the parents in their programs.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
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Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Michelle Parfitt
(Primary Presenter), DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, mparfitt@depaulhearingandspeech.org;
Michelle Parfitt, MA, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVEd is the Director of Early Intervention at DePaul School for Hearing and Speech in Pittsburgh PA. She is a pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist and certified Listening and Spoken Language Educator. She has presented to state, national, and international audiences of both parents and professionals in the areas of listening and spoken language development for children with hearing loss and parent/child outcomes related to telepractice. Michelle teaches courses on aural rehabilitation and and spoken language development at the University of Pittsburgh and Flagler College. She participates on the PA Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) advisory committee, the PA Educational Resources for Children with Hearing Loss (ERCHL) advisory committee and facilitates EHDI's southwest PA learning community.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from DePaul School for Hearing and Speech.
• Receives Salary for Employment from Flagler College.
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Pittsburgh.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.