Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D.

Pediatrician and CEO of Pediatrics Now

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D., F.A.A.P., pediatrician, author, parenting and social media expert, is CEO of Pediatrics Now, a health and communications company dedicated to providing reliable information to today’s busy families. The popular parenting website Pediatrics Now and nationally syndicated blog Dr. Gwenn Is In are the cornerstones of Pediatrics Now’s work. Dr. Gwenn is one of the most highly sought after child health and cyber safety experts seen and heard in the media today, with regular appearances in print, online, radio, TV, and in community and national events as an invited speaker. She is a Fellow and National Spokeswoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and she is on the Executive Committee of the Council on Communications and Media. Dr. Gwenn’s newly released book, CyberSafe (10/1/2010, AAP Publishing), continues her journey to help parents keep their kids safe online. The first of its kind on the market by a media-pediatrician, CyberSafe empower parents to participate with their digital kids and teens by understanding how and why they use the digital world. Dr. Gwenn lives in a Massachusetts with her husband and very digital teenage daughters who have taught her more about the online world of kids than any study ever could.

Articles written by Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D.

Ten Ways to Keep Kids and Teens CyberSafe

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D. on 6/10/11

tags: cyberbullying, digital footprint, digital reputation, online etiquette, parental controls, privacy, privacy settings, social networking

Wondering how to keep your kids and teens safe online? Here are my top tips to get you on your way. 1. Privacy Settings “On” = You Are Cleared to Post! By having your privacy settings “on” for posts and pictures (you have to set the setting for each to “on”), your information is completely private and only accessible by peop... more »

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Getting the Digital Message RITE

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D. on 6/9/11

tags: digital footprint, digital reputation, online etiquette

Has one of these scenarios ever happened to you or one of your digital teens? Someone sends you a text, email or Facebook message that riles you up a bit, good or bad, that you respond from a place of pure emotion…type the message, hit send and then a second later say to yourself “you know, perhaps that message was too much... more »

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Busting the Biggest Digital Myths

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D. on 2/3/11

tags: digital reputation, Facebook, smartphone, social networking

Text adapted from CyberSafe: Protecting and Empowering Kids in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming and Social Media (American Academy of Pediatrics, October 2010) Myth: Social networking is dangerous. Dr. Gwenn’s Myth Bust: Social networking can be safe and often is, if done thoughtfully, age appropriately, and with a consci... more »

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Relaxing and Staying Unplugged as a Family

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D. on 2/3/11

“Stop the World, I want to Get Off!” I remember seeing that play years and years ago at summer camp. That phrase runs through my mind a lot lately as the pace of things seems to speed up more and more. I recently got one of those “smart phones” – phone, email, camera gadget. It’s really cool and can connect me anywhere any t... more »

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Healthy Media Use Resolutions for New Year

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, M.D. on 2/2/11

tags: education

I read a blog post not long ago that suggested we should all check our email only twice a day. Twice a day? Is that even possible? It may not seem possible but it sure is needed. Believe it our not, despite our over connected lives and reliance on technology for everything, we actually need some unplugged time alone and as... more »

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