Thriving in the Digital Age: Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Youth Leadership (Series Begins Jan. 8, 2026)

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

SpeakerS
  • Susan Reynolds, M.Ed, Founder, LookUp.live 
  • Maddie Freeman, Founder, NoSo November
Description

In today’s fast-paced digital world, young people face unique challenges—and opportunities—shaped by technology and social media. This series explores practical mindfulness tools for managing digital distraction, examines the impact of social media on youth mental health, and highlights the inspiring work of youth leaders building a more responsible digital future. Join us to gain fresh insights, actionable strategies, and real-world examples of how educators and youth can thrive in the age of connectivity.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Within 24 hours of the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session.

In a world of constant connectivity, it’s all too easy for students—and adults—to lose focus, experience anxiety, and become overwhelmed by digital noise. This interactive workshop offers practical mindfulness strategies for navigating the relentless pull of technology, cultivating presence, and restoring balance. Participants will learn accessible techniques to reduce stress, support emotional well-being, and foster deeper attention—both in the classroom and beyond. 

Social media has become a central part of young people’s lives, influencing how they connect, communicate, and see themselves. But the constant stream of likes, comments, and curated images also brings unique pressures—from comparison and cyberbullying to anxiety, FOMO, and disrupted sleep. In this interactive session, we’ll unpack the latest research on how social media affects youth mental health, hear real stories from students, and examine both the risks and the benefits of digital life.

Adults often feel the need to protect their children from online harms, but the digital world is nuanced and complex, so the solutions must be, too. This session will share 6 years of accumulated knowledge and research on young people’s attitudes, beliefs, and experiences on social media. As a by-youth-for-youth organization, we get to the root of many of the “why’s?” adults ask themselves when trying to understand young people’s unbalanced relationships to technology.

AI is a disruptive force, shifting what we thought we knew about human connection, relationships, education, and effort. Young people are accustomed to this technology and use it in myriad ways, and it’s important to spotlight the harms that may be lurking around the corner when considering overreliance on these technologies. We’ll dive into how young people use AI and what harms they may be encountering that adults are unaware of and can help protect against.

Meet the next generation of changemakers! This workshop spotlights youth leaders who are tackling digital challenges head-on—advocating for healthier online communities and ethical technology. Discover their inspiring stories and actionable solutions for building a more mindful, responsible digital future.

About the Speakers

Susan Reynolds, M.Ed., (she/her) has over 20 years of experience in academic technology and digital wellbeing. In 2007, Susan founded ABC Legacy: Atoms to Bits Children’s Legacy, which generated the Look Up Foundation, committed to empowering teens and college students to join together to change their relationship to technology. As a teacher whose passion has always been to inspire her students to become change agents, she hopes to empower the next generation to find and implement these solutions. 

Maddie Freeman (she/her) is the Founder and CEO of NoSo November, a digital wellness nonprofit that impacts young people around the world. Maddie was recently listed on the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 List in the Education category at age 23 after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder. As a multifaceted change-maker, she has spearheaded numerous projects in her community from painting a mural, writing a successful suicide prevention petition that garnered 13,000 signatures in 3 days, and hosting mindfulness events for teens in the US and Canada. As someone who values empathy, authentic leadership, and storytelling, she uses public speaking to connect deeply to those she serves. Maddie is recognized for founding NoSo as a Young Futures Grantee, securing funding backed by Melinda Gates Pivotal Ventures foundation, is a Social Dilemma/LookUp Innovator grant winner, a Young Innovator in Behavioral Health awardee, a multi-year winner of the female founders pitch competition in the New Venture Challenge at CU, and a Youth Fellow at McGill University’s Media, Technology, and Democracy Centre.

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

 

Register

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If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.

  • Session 1: January 8, 2026, Mindfulness in the Age of Digital Distraction, Susan Reynolds, M.Ed.
  • Session 2: February 5, 2026, Scrolling Minds: The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health, Susan Reynolds, M.Ed.
  • Session 3: March 26, 2026, What Young People Wish Adults Knew About Social Media, Maddie Freeman
  • Session 4: April 9, 2026, Crash Course on Young People’s Use of AI, Maddie Freeman
  • Session 5: May 7, 2026, Youth Leading the Way: Solutions for a Responsible Digital World, Maddie Freeman