Hosted by Kenneth Doka, PhD, MDiv, with Pamela Gabbay, MA, FT and Carla Sofka, PhD, MSW.

Many of us are “digital immigrants.” During our lives we were introduced to the Internet. Children and adolescents are “digital natives,” having grown up with this technology. Through social networking, live games, texting, and tweeting, they connect to their immediate circle of friends as well as a wider group, retaining and nurturing friendships with people they met -- in schools, old neighborhoods, camps, and on vacations. For young people, the Internet is a source of support and information, so it is natural they would turn to the Internet when they grieve. It is essential that counselors, clergy, social workers, child life specialists, educators, guidance counselors, funeral director, and parents understand the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing the Internet in grief and learn strategies for opening a dialog with children and adolescents about the ways the use the Internet as they mourn. Panelists will also discuss some innovative ways that their programs use the Internet to encourage and support young people who are grieving.

The speakers will describe the roles of the Internet in the lives of children and adolescents and discuss ways that adolescents may utilize the Internet in bereavement, for education, ritual and support. The discussion will include a look at both social networking sites and grief-specific sites, as well as the impact that role-playing and on-line gaming may have in a young person’s experience of loss. The panel will focus on both the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet as a form of grief support for adolescents, and give some specific examples of how they have used this technology to support young people. The clinical implications of research of Internet use for intervention with children and adolescents and their families will be examined, , describing the possibilities and limitations for adults or organizations to offer support in a monitored, safe way.

Continuing Education Available for Professionals! A valuable educational offering for individuals or organizations, with CEs included--in an easy-to-access on-line format!

One and a half hours of continuing education is available for social workers, nurses and counselors. For more information see http://www.hospicefoundation.org/education/webinars.

Technical requirements for viewing the webinar can be found at http://www.videonewswire.com/support/, as well as a link to test your system. Please be sure the system you intend to watch the webinar on is compatible before you register for the webinar. Hospice Foundation of America cannot offer refunds for technical difficulties.

Individual registration allows one computer to access the webinar only one time, with an audience of one, one CE certificate for 1.5 hours of credit will be granted.

After you purchase your registration, you will be sent an email with a link to download a PDF file, this file contains important information regarding accessing the webinar. Please download this file within 3 days.