Technology and Adolescence: An Urgent Challenge for Society – Insights from Doral Family Journal Panel
On August 28, 2025, the Doral Family Journal hosted a pivotal panel discussion at Miami-Dade College West Campus addressing a pressing issue facing modern society: the profound influence of technology on the development of children and adolescents. Gathering experts from psychology, law enforcement, education, and technology, the event delved into the multifaceted challenges youth encounter in today’s hyperconnected world, calling for collective action from parents, educators, and community leaders.
A Panel Committed to Reflection and Action
Moderated by journalist Maria Fernanda Lopez, the panel featured Edwin López, Chief of the City of Doral Police Department; psychologist and coach Erika Monroy; Thamy Mazza, president of My Safe Schools; Dr. Leonid Rabinovich, administrative director of Educational Technology at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS); Dr. Gilda Rodríguez Díaz, cyberpsychology expert at Albizu University; and Ettore Sabatella, director of Doral Family Journal. The discussion emphasized that technology’s presence is undeniable and permanent, urging society to focus on responsible usage and education rather than demonization.
Technology: A Tool Not the Problem
Ettore Sabatella opened the conversation highlighting that the core challenge is not technology itself but the widespread lack of education surrounding its use. He underscored the necessity of developing educational systems to guide youths positively as digital landscapes evolve. Stressing parental responsibility, he noted, “How can we tell our children to take care of themselves online if we ourselves do not understand the risks?” Sabatella’s perspective pointed to a solution rooted in informed guidance rather than fear.
Legal and Social Risks: Awareness and Supervision
Emphasizing real-world consequences, Police Chief Edwin López warned about the potentially lifelong legal ramifications of seemingly minor online mistakes—such as sharing inappropriate photos or false threats—owing to the permanence of digital evidence. He highlighted the challenges many families face, noting that over half of households in the community are single-parent families, complicating supervision.
Thamy Mazza from My Safe Schools echoed concerns about parental engagement, lamenting the low turnout for informational events despite increasing social media-related issues among children. She observed that many parents mistakenly assume their children are safe simply by being physically at home, unaware of the risks inherent in unsupervised digital activity. Both López and Mazza stressed the importance of parental involvement over relying on technology as an unsupervised “babysitter.”
Psychological and Neurological Impact on Youth
Psychologist Erika Monroy shed light on alarming trends affecting adolescent brain development. Citing research from the French National Institute of Health documented in “The Digital Cretin Factory,” she revealed that IQ scores for this generation have declined by six points, attributing this partly to sleep deprivation, limited face-to-face communication, and excessive screen time. Monroy explained that these factors hinder frontal lobe development—the brain region governing reflection and judgment—resulting in impulsive behaviors among youths.
To counter digital addiction driven by rapid dopamine hits from social media, Monroy advocated for psychoeducation, prevention, and mindfulness practices. She introduced five pillars for mental health: healthy eating, adequate sleep, physical exercise, mindfulness training, and responsible electronic use with clear parental boundaries. Additionally, her “Pizza of Life” tool offers a framework for balancing life priorities such as family, spirituality, education, and social interaction, promoting a preventive rather than corrective approach to parenting.
Educational Initiatives and Partnerships
Dr. Leonid Rabinovich explained current school district policies in light of recent legislation (HB-1105) banning cell phone use in classrooms while still permitting possession. He emphasized that responsible device use for education is encouraged, alongside programs teaching digital citizenship and cyber hygiene to students from grades four through eight. Rabinovich stressed that cultivating safe and responsible online behaviors cannot be achieved by schools alone. “Education begins and ends at home,” he said, highlighting the indispensable partnership between families and schools in shaping digital citizens.
Mental Health: A Public Health Priority
Cyberpsychology expert Dr. Gilda Rodríguez Díaz focused on the vital role of parent-child communication as a protective factor against the psychological harms linked to technology use. She stressed consistent modeling of positive behaviors at home regarding technology and interpersonal interactions, underscoring observational learning’s power.
Rodríguez issued a sobering reminder: suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. youth, frequently preceded by anxiety and depression exacerbated by social media pressures. She called for urgent recognition of mental health as a public health issue demanding increased research funding and governmental awareness campaigns. The rise in adolescent social phobia diagnoses underscores the critical need for proactive measures to support young people’s emotional well-being.
Conclusion
The Doral Family Journal panel illuminated the complex realities underlying adolescent interaction with technology, demonstrating that it is a societal challenge requiring integrated efforts from families, schools, law enforcement, and policymakers. As experts concurred, technology is here to stay—what matters most is how society equips youth with the knowledge, skills, and support to navigate it safely, preserving mental health, legal safety, and healthy development.
For parents and community members, the event emphasized the importance of education, vigilance, and open communication to confront the evolving digital landscape together, safeguarding the future of today’s adolescents.
