Downey families recently got hands-on support for navigating the digital world at Ed. C. Lewis Elementary, where a PTA Connected event offered them online safety guidance, screen-readiness resources and 200 refurbished laptops for preselected attendees.
According to Pew Research, 4 in 10 parents feel they could do better at managing their kids screen time.
“We believe in empowering parents and caregivers with the tools, knowledge and confidence to support healthy screen readiness and digital well-being at home,” said Yesica Vasquez, vice president of the Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA. “We are bringing families together to learn, grow and navigate technology safely so every child can thrive both online and offline.”
The event opened with a discussion for parents and caregivers exploring the question, “Is my family screen ready?” Families also participated in activities focused on online safety and building healthy digital habits, using resources from AT&T ScreenReady®.
Children attending the event engaged in activities inside AT&T’s Mobile Connectivity Center, an 18-wheeler-based hub that provides internet access, devices and digital resources.
“Technology plays an important role in how families learn, connect and navigate daily life, and we know many parents and caregivers are looking for support as they make decisions about their children’s digital experiences,” said Mylayna Albright, vice president of Corporate Responsibility at AT&T. “Through our collaboration with National PTA and programs like Ready, Tech, Go!, AT&T is helping equip families with practical tools, trusted resources and meaningful conversations to build safe, healthy and confident digital habits at home.”
Said Gabe Middleton, CEO of Human-I-T: “Early access to technology isn’t about the technology. It’s about whether a kid grows up feeling like the world is built for them. At Lewis Elementary, AT&T is bringing the connectivity, National PTA is bringing the trust families have in their school and Human-I-T is bringing the devices and the support to keep them working. After 13 years of doing this work, I can tell you the kids who get there early carry that confidence the rest of their lives,”
Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA was selected by National PTA to receive $1,500 of support from AT&T to help conduct the program. The school’s PTA is one of 230 elementary school PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA and PTAs across the country at all levels work hard every day to make a difference for students, families and schools and make every child’s potential a reality,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of the National PTA.
“We are pleased to equip Ed. C. Lewis Elementary PTA with resources to engage families in a critical dialogue around screen readiness and digital safety and empower them with information and resources to make the best decisions for their families.”
The program is part of a collaboration between National PTA and AT&T to help address the digital divide. Since 2021, AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
This includes distributing more than 31,000 computers to students and their families across California since 2021. Additionally, National PTA’s PTA Connected initiative seeks to improve digital access, equity and well-being for all children through tailored programs, resources and more.
Learn more at PTA.org/Connected and ATT.com.
