Boys Town South Florida held its third annual Community Action Summit on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. The event drew local leaders, educators and behavioral health experts to discuss excessive screen time and unhealthy digital habits among children.
The gathering also marked the organization’s 35th anniversary of serving children and families in the area. Organizers said the goal was a coordinated response among families, schools, behavioral health providers and community groups.
Dr. Steve Arcidiacono, behavioral health clinic director at Boys Town South Florida, said the summit was meant to help parents strengthen their connections with young people and recognize when families may need more support. Jim Grimes, co-anchor of CBS12 News, served as emcee. Dr. Leah Singh, director of the Children’s Learning Clinic at Florida State University, gave the keynote address by video.
The organization gave its Youth Impact Award to Jill Coleman and Rebecca Soylemez, Palm Beach chapter leaders of Mothers Against Media Addiction. The pair has worked to teach parents about social media and smartphone use and has pushed for phone-free schools. The summit also recognized two Families of the Year.
Elected officials attending included Florida State Rep. Rob Long, District 90; Palm Beach County School Board Member Karen Brill, District 3; and Malcom Sommons, representing Palm Beach County Commissioner Bobby Powell Jr., District 7.
For parents in Palm Beach and Broward counties, the event offered a local look at how screen habits are being addressed by providers and schools alike.
