CHCCS Parents for Intentional Technology
CHCCS Parents for Intentional Tech is a parent-led movement committed to intentional, age-appropriate technology use in schools that prioritizes the safety, well-being and learning of our children.
Who We Are
CHCCS Parents for Intentional Tech is dedicated to fostering collaboration between parents, educators and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District to address how 1:1 school-issued devices, educational technology, smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are used in our schools.
Being tech-intentional does not mean we are anti-technology. Technology can enhance the learning experience when purpose-driven and age-appropriate - in a way that maximizes benefits, supplements direct instruction without replacing it, and minimizes the clear risks of excess screen time. We are asking for an evidence-based, balanced and intentional use of technology in our schools.
Our group is designed for parents and educators to share their experiences with technology in our schools, share resources and research, and to organize collective action within our district.
This is grassroots and parent-led in the spirit of collaboration and teamwork. District/schools, parents, and students must all work together for successful change.
While our group is focused on the CHCCS community, we welcome others from our community - private schools, homeschools, or nearby public school systems - to join us, learn, increase awareness and grow the movement.
CHCCS Parents for Intentional Tech has no formal affiliation with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district.
How We Got Started
Mary Beth Roche is a parent, digital wellness educator, and advocate. She founded CHCCS Parents for Intentional Tech in February 2025.
Mary Beth's work began in providing support and education for parents about the challenges of raising kids in this digital age. This naturally led to additional opportunities to collaborate with schools in providing student-focused programming and activities. Over the past several years, Mary Beth has partnered with various schools within the CHCCS district to help raise awareness and educate our school communities on the impacts of technology on kids and teens. She facilitated a relationship between UNC’s Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development and the CHCCS district, and has organized multiple expert presentations for both parent and student communities by the experts of UNC’s Winston Center, including Dr. Mitch Prinstein. Additional programming has included a digital awareness parent education series, digital wellness parent support groups, student programming like Screen-Free Week and Tech Mindfulness Week, an elementary Screen-Free Family Fun Night event, and more.
Mary Beth works with UNC’s Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development and Better Screen Time. She is a member of the Screens in Schools workgroup of the Screen Time Action Network at Fairplay and various advocacy groups.
