Teens & Screens: Building Skills and Keeping Connection
Let's All Talk Mental Health
01:01:11
Technology is now part of the world young people are growing up in; from social media and gaming to streaming, group chats and AI tools. For many teens, these spaces give opportunities to create, experiment, learn and belong. At the same time, constant connectivity and algorithm-driven content can influence their attention, identity, relationships and emotional development in ways we still don't fully understand.
Rather than approaching technology as something to ban or fear, this session asks a more helpful question: how do we support young people to grow up well with this as part of their world?
We'll talk about what current research tells us about the developing teen brain, both positively and negatively, and how repeated exposure influences what teens notice, believe and value. We will move away from parenting power struggles and focus on scaffolding and support - and how we can all help young people to build their own skills, boundaries and emotional safety so they stay connected to themselves and to others.
What We’ll Cover
- How technology interacts with the developing teenage brain
- The impact of algorithms, gaming design and constant connectivity on attention and emotion
- When heavy use reflects curiosity and connection — and when it signals difficulty switching off
- Why power struggles around screens often escalate
- How to scaffold critical thinking and digital self-awareness
- The role of warmth and clear expectations in protecting mental health
- Practical ways to set boundaries without creating disconnection
Takeaways for Parents
Parents will leave with:
- A clearer understanding of healthy versus problematic digital habits
- Greater confidence in recognising when support or boundaries are needed
- Practical strategies to reduce conflict around technology
- Tools to encourage thoughtful, reflective use rather than reactive or compulsive use
- Increased confidence in holding limits calmly while maintaining connection
Why this session is especially Interesting
As well as being a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Fin William is also Founder & CEO of Rumii, a mental health app designed What makes this particularly interesting is that, alongside being a Clinical Psychologist, Fin is also Founder & CEO of Rumii, a teen mental health app that turns their everyday behavioural data such as sleep, activity, screen time and social interaction into insight about emotional wellbeing. Grounded in two therapy principles, it helps young people have awareness and spot patterns in their habits, and offers personalised prompts for support, mood, balance and healthier digital use.
Speaker
Fin Williams
Dr
Fin is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience of working in the NHS and privately with children, young people and their families since she qualified in 2007. Fin has worked predominantly in Paediatrics, supporting children and families with long term health difficulties, whose mental health and relationships have been affected by their condition. She has a special interest in working with parent and child relationships, that can be affected by a number of different challenges, and has significant experience in working with children and young people experiencing common emotional wellbeing issues of Depression and Anxiety. She is trained in a number of different approaches including CBT, ACT, Systemic Therapy, Narrative and Attachment therapeutic approaches, and parenting.
In addition to her practice, Fin has been leading University programmes to train the supervisors of mental health workforces. She believes strongly in evidence-based practice and her training role means that she is always up to date with the current research and practice guidelines. She is also a course tutor on the clinical team of the Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research (OXiCPTR).
In 2014, Fin shared her thoughts on the importance of supporting the parent-child relationship, when she was asked to contribute to the TEDxExeter stage.
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Teens & Screens: Building Skills and Keeping Connection
01:01:11