SPEAKER FOR SCHOOLS
Tanya is a speaker for schools on all aspects of developing a healthy, happy, above all safe, relationship with technology and all aspects of the digital world.
“Today’s children have grown up with screens at every stage of their lives. Meanwhile, their parents have been learning about screens at exactly the same time. Both generations are going through a kind of ‘tech adolescence’ together, trying to learn what healthy digital use looks like. I’m here to try and help.”
Tanya Goodin
SCHOOL SPEAKER
Tanya has been a speaker for schools for over ten years – speaking as part of the Online Safety, Media and Digital Literacy and Healthy Lifestyles elements of the PSHE curriculum. As a speaker for schools she has spoken to staff and to junior and senior school pupils and their parents (both separately from their children and together). Tanya has spoken to children from ages 8 to 18 about their screen use in PSHE workshops where she covers not only fundamentals such as internet safety and cyberbullying but also comparison culture, mental health, good digital citizenship, gaming addiction, and resisting the attention economy, She very much enjoys being a speaker for schools at both ends of the student age spectrum.
RECENT TALKS
Talks are always tailored to the year group and the particular needs of the school, some given recently include:
- ‘Managing your Digital Footprint’ (pupils)
- ‘Teens and Screens’ (parents)
- ‘Screens and Mental Health’ (parents)
- ‘Digital Detox for You and Your Children’ (parents)
- ‘Time to Log Off?’ – Internet addiction and you’ (pupils)
- ‘Living with Robots’ – the challenges of AI (artifical intelligence) (pupils)
- ‘Digital Citizenship’ (pupils)
As a speaker for schools for over ten years Tanya is continually adapting the content of her talks to take account of the latest evidence on what constitutes healthy screen use, as well as reflecting particular concerns of parents and teachers at the time she is delivering her talk. As the author of three books on our relationship with the digital world, and a podcast host, she has access to experts and academics who are at the leading edge of research in this area and who inform her speaking material in all age groups.
“Tanya gave a talk to our Year 6, 7 and 8s on navigating the digital world. The messages given to the pupils were clear, sensible and reinforced everything that we have been teaching them through form time and PSHCE lessons.
Her presentation to the parents in the evening on ‘Teens and Screens’ was spot on! It was lively, entertaining and full of practical advice which the parents found very informative. In this fast-moving digital world parents were delighted to hear from an expert some helpful tips to ensure that their children use technology in a healthy and sensible manner. Thank you, Tanya!”
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
KIND WORDS
Recent testimonials from talks in junior and senior schools on cybersafety, esafety, internet safety, cyber bullying, digital wellbeing, digital citizenship and getting a healthy balance with technology.
"Tanya's talk was engaging and interactive, maintaining the students’ attention for the full hour; not an easy task! Her talk generated lots of questions and discussion from the pupils and I would have no hesitation in recommending Tanya to other schools."
Head of Year, St Paul's Girls' School
"We were hugely impressed with Tanya’s presentation to our Year 8 pupils and a separate session to parents. Tanya has a wealth of experience to share, and she conveys her knowledge and digital wisdom engagingly and with authority. We look forward to welcoming her back to our school in the near future."
Deputy Head, Magdalen College School
"Tanya hosted a parent talk for our Parenting the Teenager lecture series that was engaging, helpful and informative. It was excellent that she was able to balance some of the pitfalls of social media and excessive screentime with some of the advantages too, together with identifying strategies that parents can use to help support their daughters through this aspect of their teenage lives."
Deputy Head, Wycombe Abbey
"We so enjoyed having Tanya at Lambrook to speak to both our pupils and parents. Both talks were informative, well-paced and interesting. The feedback has been excellent. We will look to have Tanya back as part of our Online Safety provision in the future.”
Head of Pastoral Care, Lambrook School
"Tanya’s webinar to our parents was quite simply excellent. She alerted parents to potential dangers and pitfalls without catastrophising, and equipped them with strategies to use with their boys. This left them feeling empowered rather than daunted with the task at hand! Parents have been quick to praise Tanya’s webinar and we will certainly be seeking to book her again soon. Thank you, Tanya!”
Digital Wellbeing & Online Safety Co-ordinator, Tonbridge School
"Tanya’s talk was one of the most engaging, truthful, relatable and practical talks we have put on for parents. The audience were riveted with the expertise and advice that she shared, and they went away with genuine tips and strategies to bring into their families. She does not shy away from the hard realities of this subject and really helps parents take responsibility for being healthy digital role models for their children. I would recommend this talk to all schools. Thank you, Tanya!
Director of Pupil Welfare, Queens' College, London
"Tanya came in to talk to our Lower School and the boys rated her workshop 4.8 stars out of 5! They described it as 'informative, engaging, memorable' and felt they had learned a lot they didn't know - including 'that some apps could be purposely made to make you use them more often.' Tanya's visit was a big success and I have recommended her to a group of PSHE leads that I am part of."
Head of Lower School, the RGS, Guildford
"We were delighted to host Tanya for a parent seminar exploring the theme of teens and screens. An extremely insightful session with some valuable strategies and tips for our parents. Thank you for all your expertise and wisdom."
Deputy Head (Pastoral), St Albans High School for Girls
"Tanya gave a talk to our Year 6,7 and 8s on navigating the digital world. The messages given to the pupils were clear, sensible and reinforced everything that we have been teaching them through form time and PSHCE lessons. Her presentation to the parents in the evening on ‘Teens and Screens’ was spot on! It was lively, entertaining and full of practical advice which the parents found very informative. Thank you, Tanya!"
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
"Tanya came in to UCS and spoke to the Middle School parents and the Year 9 boys - very professional and the talk was very well received. Highly recommended!."
Head of PSHE, University College School
"Tanya spoke to our 6.2s (UVith) as part of their Leaver's Week. She presents a fascinating and, inevitably, concerning picture of the wide range of online pitfalls awaiting the unprepared. Her talk is highly accessible, but equally, very well exemplified with hard (and very current) data. I would thoroughly recommend this talk to anyone teaching or bringing up teenagers today. It is pitch perfect, in every respect.”
Academic Director, Radley College
"The Sixth form girls (and staff!), really enjoyed Tanya's talk at Headington, I can give her a glowing testimonial!”
Pastoral Director of Sixth Form, Headington School
"Tanya has been involved in the Y6 Entrepreneurial Summer Project at Ken Prep for two years now and, for the second year running, has been inspirational and supportive in equal measure. During Tanya's talk, the girls were engaged from the very beginning and, in their own words, they were delighted to have feedback from and work with a 'genuinely inspiring entrepreneur- a female role model who really makes a difference and cares about the next generation!' I could not have put it better myself!.”
Director of Innovation and Learning, Kensington Prep School
"I can highly recommend Tanya's talks on screen usage and addiction. She presented to both the children and their parents. The talks were thoroughly researched, well presented and 100% relevant. We hope to have Tanya back to Eagle House soon.”
Deputy Head, Eagle House School
"We would highly recommend Tanya. She gave insightful and interesting talks to our Y9, 10 and 12 pupils and she had them captivated for the entire hour. Her presentation was interesting, engaging and very relevant. She also did a separate talk for parents which was hugely beneficial. It was truthful, honest and yet again, incredibly informative. They particularly appreciated that she gave them practical strategies of things they could do differently. There is no doubt that we would like Tanya to return to talk with the other members of our school community.”
Pastoral Lead, Barnard Castle School
"Tanya has spoken to our parents annually for four years now. Her knowledge of a complex field, mixed with her common sense approach and personable nature, makes her a hit with students, parents or staff alike. She has an inspiring story and has gained the experience in the tech world that allows her to communicate to all stakeholders with authenticity, confidence and impact. I would thoroughly recommend her to any school community as an excellent speaker, advisor and educator.”
Senior Deputy Head, Lord Wandsworth College
"Tanya's no-nonsense and sensible approach engaged the students and also empowered the parents with regards to the issues surrounding device use. We have had excellent feedback and parents have stated that they feel significantly more confident with laying out clear boundaries at home. In addition, it has helped the school evaluate our procedures with regards to screen time so that we can take positive steps forward.”
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Hurstpierpoint College
"Tanya was excellent at gearing her talks to different age groups. As a parent, she has realistic expectations of how much students will take her advice to heart and she is sympathetic to the challenges adults face in trying to protect their children from harm. She was a refreshing, positive voice who stressed that there are many advantages to using the internet but Tanya drove home the point that we must all ensure that we are not victims of the attention engineers pushing dopamine through our screens!”
Head of PSHCEE, Godolphin School
"Tanya has spoken to our Year 6, 7 and 8s over several years. Her talks are very age appropriate and ‘hard hitting’ in all the right ways. She has also given some brilliant parent talks. The parents who attended the most recent were extremely complimentary as were our two safeguarding governors."
Deputy Head Pastoral, The Oratory Prep School
"Tanya came to Forest as part of a series of talks this summer to help our parents deal with and understand topical issues as their children grow up. Her talk was utterly brilliant and incredibly informative. Tanya Is able to relate as a parent herself and also an expert in her field. So impressed were we, that we will be booking her again to talk to both pupils and parents next term."
Deputy Head Pastoral, Forest Prep School
"A clear, well-researched, highly relevant and extremely informative talk which held the full attention of pupils and teachers alike. Tanya interacted with students keeping them fully engaged throughout. Everyone, both children and adults, should hear Tanya’s message, to ensure they are making informed choices in their relationship with tech."
Learning For Life Programme Head, Christ's Hospital School
"Tanya's talk was engaging and interactive, maintaining the students’ attention for the full hour; not an easy task! Her talk generated lots of questions and discussion from the pupils and I would have no hesitation in recommending Tanya to other schools."
Head of Year, St Paul's Girls' School
"We were hugely impressed with Tanya’s presentation to our Year 8 pupils and a separate session to parents. Tanya has a wealth of experience to share, and she conveys her knowledge and digital wisdom engagingly and with authority. We look forward to welcoming her back to our school in the near future."
Deputy Head, Magdalen College School
"Tanya hosted a parent talk for our Parenting the Teenager lecture series that was engaging, helpful and informative. It was excellent that she was able to balance some of the pitfalls of social media and excessive screentime with some of the advantages too, together with identifying strategies that parents can use to help support their daughters through this aspect of their teenage lives."
Deputy Head, Wycombe Abbey
"We so enjoyed having Tanya at Lambrook to speak to both our pupils and parents. Both talks were informative, well-paced and interesting. The feedback has been excellent. We will look to have Tanya back as part of our Online Safety provision in the future.”
Head of Pastoral Care, Lambrook School
"Tanya’s webinar to our parents was quite simply excellent. She alerted parents to potential dangers and pitfalls without catastrophising, and equipped them with strategies to use with their boys. This left them feeling empowered rather than daunted with the task at hand! Parents have been quick to praise Tanya’s webinar and we will certainly be seeking to book her again soon. Thank you, Tanya!”
Digital Wellbeing & Online Safety Co-ordinator, Tonbridge School
"Tanya’s talk was one of the most engaging, truthful, relatable and practical talks we have put on for parents. The audience were riveted with the expertise and advice that she shared, and they went away with genuine tips and strategies to bring into their families. She does not shy away from the hard realities of this subject and really helps parents take responsibility for being healthy digital role models for their children. I would recommend this talk to all schools. Thank you, Tanya!
Director of Pupil Welfare, Queens' College, London
"Tanya came in to talk to our Lower School and the boys rated her workshop 4.8 stars out of 5! They described it as 'informative, engaging, memorable' and felt they had learned a lot they didn't know - including 'that some apps could be purposely made to make you use them more often.' Tanya's visit was a big success and I have recommended her to a group of PSHE leads that I am part of."
Head of Lower School, the RGS, Guildford
"We were delighted to host Tanya for a parent seminar exploring the theme of teens and screens. An extremely insightful session with some valuable strategies and tips for our parents. Thank you for all your expertise and wisdom."
Deputy Head (Pastoral), St Albans High School for Girls
"Tanya gave a talk to our Year 6,7 and 8s on navigating the digital world. The messages given to the pupils were clear, sensible and reinforced everything that we have been teaching them through form time and PSHCE lessons. Her presentation to the parents in the evening on ‘Teens and Screens’ was spot on! It was lively, entertaining and full of practical advice which the parents found very informative. Thank you, Tanya!"
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
"Tanya came in to UCS and spoke to the Middle School parents and the Year 9 boys - very professional and the talk was very well received. Highly recommended!."
Head of PSHE, University College School
"Tanya spoke to our 6.2s (UVith) as part of their Leaver's Week. She presents a fascinating and, inevitably, concerning picture of the wide range of online pitfalls awaiting the unprepared. Her talk is highly accessible, but equally, very well exemplified with hard (and very current) data. I would thoroughly recommend this talk to anyone teaching or bringing up teenagers today. It is pitch perfect, in every respect.”
Academic Director, Radley College
"The Sixth form girls (and staff!), really enjoyed Tanya's talk at Headington, I can give her a glowing testimonial!”
Pastoral Director of Sixth Form, Headington School
"Tanya has been involved in the Y6 Entrepreneurial Summer Project at Ken Prep for two years now and, for the second year running, has been inspirational and supportive in equal measure. During Tanya's talk, the girls were engaged from the very beginning and, in their own words, they were delighted to have feedback from and work with a 'genuinely inspiring entrepreneur- a female role model who really makes a difference and cares about the next generation!' I could not have put it better myself!.”
Director of Innovation and Learning, Kensington Prep School
"I can highly recommend Tanya's talks on screen usage and addiction. She presented to both the children and their parents. The talks were thoroughly researched, well presented and 100% relevant. We hope to have Tanya back to Eagle House soon.”
Deputy Head, Eagle House School
"We would highly recommend Tanya. She gave insightful and interesting talks to our Y9, 10 and 12 pupils and she had them captivated for the entire hour. Her presentation was interesting, engaging and very relevant. She also did a separate talk for parents which was hugely beneficial. It was truthful, honest and yet again, incredibly informative. They particularly appreciated that she gave them practical strategies of things they could do differently. There is no doubt that we would like Tanya to return to talk with the other members of our school community.”
Pastoral Lead, Barnard Castle School
"Tanya has spoken to our parents annually for four years now. Her knowledge of a complex field, mixed with her common sense approach and personable nature, makes her a hit with students, parents or staff alike. She has an inspiring story and has gained the experience in the tech world that allows her to communicate to all stakeholders with authenticity, confidence and impact. I would thoroughly recommend her to any school community as an excellent speaker, advisor and educator.”
Senior Deputy Head, Lord Wandsworth College
"Tanya's no-nonsense and sensible approach engaged the students and also empowered the parents with regards to the issues surrounding device use. We have had excellent feedback and parents have stated that they feel significantly more confident with laying out clear boundaries at home. In addition, it has helped the school evaluate our procedures with regards to screen time so that we can take positive steps forward.”
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Hurstpierpoint College
"Tanya was excellent at gearing her talks to different age groups. As a parent, she has realistic expectations of how much students will take her advice to heart and she is sympathetic to the challenges adults face in trying to protect their children from harm. She was a refreshing, positive voice who stressed that there are many advantages to using the internet but Tanya drove home the point that we must all ensure that we are not victims of the attention engineers pushing dopamine through our screens!”
Head of PSHCEE, Godolphin School
"Tanya has spoken to our Year 6, 7 and 8s over several years. Her talks are very age appropriate and ‘hard hitting’ in all the right ways. She has also given some brilliant parent talks. The parents who attended the most recent were extremely complimentary as were our two safeguarding governors."
Deputy Head Pastoral, The Oratory Prep School
"Tanya came to Forest as part of a series of talks this summer to help our parents deal with and understand topical issues as their children grow up. Her talk was utterly brilliant and incredibly informative. Tanya Is able to relate as a parent herself and also an expert in her field. So impressed were we, that we will be booking her again to talk to both pupils and parents next term."
Deputy Head Pastoral, Forest Prep School
"A clear, well-researched, highly relevant and extremely informative talk which held the full attention of pupils and teachers alike. Tanya interacted with students keeping them fully engaged throughout. Everyone, both children and adults, should hear Tanya’s message, to ensure they are making informed choices in their relationship with tech."
Learning For Life Programme Head, Christ's Hospital School
BOOKS
Tanya is the author of three books on our complicated relationship with technology:
‘My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open’, ‘Off.’ and ‘Stop Staring at Screens’ are all out now.
My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open
“Highly readable…attainable and realistic ways to reduce technology use and alleviate the burdens it can place on us as individuals and on our relationships.”
OFF: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life
"She presents simple ideas alongside practical suggestions for how to implement them - leaving you inspired and motivated by the end."
Stop Staring at Screens!
"Perhaps the best compliment I can pay this is that as soon as I started reading this, my 13-year-old son started looking over my shoulder, and in short order said, "I want to read this as soon as you're done. And I want to do this."