A digital safety expert is in Petersburg this week to provide some internet-savvy advice.
Katie Greer is from Boston. While her professional background is working with law enforcement, she’s spent over a decade giving keynote speeches on proper internet use.
Greer will share stories and discuss digital health during different sessions in town on Sept. 17 and 18.
“I just think it’s a great time for everyone to get on the same page and wrap our heads around it,” Greer said in an interview with KFSK. “I’m really grateful that Petersburg is committed to this initiative.”
Several local organizations partnered to bring Greer to Petersburg. The SHARE Coalition organized her visit, sponsored by Petersburg School District, Petersburg Indian Association, WAVE, Petersburg Medical Center and the Petersburg Police Department. It is Greer’s first time visiting Alaska.
Greer said overall, her message is to get people thinking more critically about how, when and why they use technology. She said people of all ages suffer from unhealthy internet use.
“Look. Technology is so stinking awesome, right? It’s the best … it’s fun and it’s educational and it’s productive,” Greer said in an interview with KFSK. “But I think that we have gotten to a place where it’s become unhealthy, like we rely on these too much, and so we need to kind of pump the brakes a little.”
One tip she has for managing household technology is actually to put it away. She suggests finding a time every day when all devices in the house are off and stored. And no, she said, bedtime doesn’t count.
“It’s really important for our brains to get a break from this stuff,” said Greer. “We have studies that show us how important it is for us to put this stuff down and it gives us the time to reconnect and refocus and I just think it’s a really good practice.”
Greer said her purpose for this visit to Petersburg is to help educate the community and share practical tips and tricks with attendees at her scheduled talks.
Jon Kludt-Painter is the technology director at the school district. He said the sessions can help provide tools for navigating digital platforms, from new technology to social media. He described Greer’s approach as less lecture, more conversation.
“Whether it’s helping younger students build a healthy relationship with technology, guiding teens through real-world decision-making online, or giving adults insight into the platforms kids use, [Greer] creates a space for learning and dialogue,” he shared in an email.
Greer is presenting to grade school students during the day. A big piece of her advice for students is learning how to be better consumers of information by determining the validity of what they see online. That applies to adults, too — especially with more digital content generated through AI. She suggests taking a pause and asking different sources about the information before reacting.
“There’s so much stuff out there,” said Greer. “Being able to parse through it all is … a critical life skill right now.”
Although the internet can be intimidating or overwhelming, Greer believes it can enrich lives when used properly.
There are a few free public sessions for adults in the community to hear from Greer this week:
An event for guardians and caregivers happens Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. in the middle school Wright Auditorium, with childcare provided at the school.
Thursday, Sept. 18, a question-answer roundtable discussion with Greer is scheduled at the same place and time.
On Thursday at 11:00 a.m., a community event is scheduled with Greer at the John Hanson Sr. Hall. Lunch is provided, and attendees can RSVP online with WAVE.
