Raising the Wise Digital Native: Parenting with Faith, Courage, and Clarity
Lead Presenters/Facilitators: Stacey Gerhart, California Baptist University; Garrett Gerhart, Life Bible Fellowship Church
Date/Time: Monday, June 8, 2026 | 11:30 am – 3:00 pm EDT
Description: Technology is no longer just entertainment for kids. It is how they build friendships, stay connected, and navigate social life. This reality makes parenting in the digital age far more complex than simply setting screen time limits or waiting until 8th grade. This workshop equips parents to be trusted guides rather than gatekeepers. Drawing from media ecology research, clinical mental health practice, and over 15 years of direct ministry with teens and college students, Garrett and Stacey Gerhart offer an evidence-based, values-driven approach that avoids both fear-mongering and permissiveness. Participants will learn how to translate insights from media ecology and mental health research into age-appropriate conversations with their children. The goal is to help kids develop their own wisdom about technology: understanding how apps are designed to capture attention, recognizing the real effects of screen use on their minds and bodies, and learning to evaluate for themselves whether a platform is worth the cost. The workshop also addresses the parent’s journey: processing the emotional weight of a child’s attention naturally shifting toward peers, dismantling shame about past tech decisions, and learning to discuss boundaries with other parents as naturally as we discuss food allergies or movie ratings. Participants will leave with practical tools for values-based boundaries that fit their family rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist, and a framework for ongoing conversations that build connection rather than conflict.
Stacey Gerhart (DMFT, Loma Linda University) serves as Director of the Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy program at California Baptist University. A licensed marriage and family therapist with over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Gerhart has worked with clients ages 4 through adulthood on issues including parenting skills, family dynamics, adolescent mental health, and behavioral challenges. She previously served as Director of Student Development and Wellness at Hope International University. Her research interests focus on technology’s impact on mental health. She holds a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University. She is co-founder of the Center for Digital Wisdom and Wellness. Learn more about Stacey here.
Garrett Gerhart serves as Communications Director at Life Bible Fellowship Church, where he leads strategic communication and digital engagement initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in ministry and communications, Garrett specializes in developing comprehensive communication plans and digital strategies for faith-based organizations. He holds an M.A. in Communication with a specialization in Leadership from Spring Arbor University and has been featured in Outreach Magazine for his work in youth engagement through digital platforms. His expertise spans content marketing, social media strategy, and digital community building, and he has been a speaker at various church communication conferences, including the Church Communicator Conference and Cultivate Conference. Learn more about Garrett here.
Registration Fee: $45.00