Roanoke County Schools invites parents to attend fall meetings on digital safety and mental health

Roanoke, Virginia – Roanoke County Public Schools is inviting parents and guardians to attend a series of crucial meetings this fall. These events, held in partnership with the Partnership for Community Wellness, aim to educate families about the real dangers children face both online and within their own emotional well-being.

Meetings to Tackle Dangers of Smartphone Use and Social Media

Five key community meetings have been scheduled to address the alarming impact of smartphone and app usage among elementary, middle, and high school students. These meetings will equip parents with practical tools to identify and fight back against threats such as predatory apps, online predators, social media dependency, and cyberbullying.

“Social media is having a disastrous impact on our students, from cyberbullying to predators and more,” said Dr. Ken Nicely, superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. “We strongly recommend parents wait until at least eighth grade, or later, before allowing their children to have a smartphone and access to social media. There are many online dangers, and we want to make sure our students are safe,” Dr. Nicely said.

The sessions will also address the long-term mental and academic effects of excessive screen use, including sleep disruption, anxiety, and declining school performance.

Scheduled meetings include:

• September 17 at William Byrd High School

• October 6 at Hidden Valley Middle School

• October 13 at Northside High School

• November 18 at Cave Spring High School

• December 8 at Glenvar Middle School
  Each meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and is open to all parents and caregivers in the district.

Additional Meeting to Focus on Suicide Prevention

In addition to the technology-focused sessions, parents are also encouraged to attend a dedicated suicide prevention meeting on September 22 at 6 p.m. at Northside High School. This event will focus on helping families recognize the early warning signs of mental health struggles in children and adolescents.

“We continue to be in the midst of a mental health crisis,” said Dr. Shawn Hughes, director of school counseling for Roanoke County Public Schools. “Students continue to struggle with mental health concerns. The sooner that a parent or caregiver can recognize that a student is dealing with a mental health concern, the sooner that student can receive support through the many resources schools and the community have available,” Hughes said.

The session will guide parents through the risk factors, support services, and protective strategies that can help strengthen their child’s emotional health and resilience.

A Call for Family Engagement

By participating in these community conversations, Roanoke County school officials believe families can play a direct role in preventing harm and promoting healing.

“If we partner together to take steps, even small steps, these can have a big impact on our children’s well-being and mental health,” said Dr. Nicely.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of these meetings this fall as a proactive way to safeguard their children’s future in a tech-driven and emotionally challenging world.