Title: Young Children’s Well-being in the Digital Era
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM (Hong Kong Time)
Format: Online in English
Registration: https://eduhk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oxdCscj2ReKUYd6_jrn13g
Inter-conversations Forum 17 brings together four experts—Dr. Jana Patricia Valdez, Dr. Jesus Alfonso Datu, Dr. Konstanze Schoeps, and Dr. Cara Dillon (Please scroll down to read their biographies) — to explore how technology and AI are transforming young children's social, emotional, and overall well-being.
Each speaker will briefly address:
Following their presentations, the panel will engage in a discussion and Q&A session. Join us to explore strategies for parents, educators, and caregivers to support healthy development and promote safe and balanced digital use during these crucial early years.
Register to attend live or to receive an edited video recording of the session.
Biography of Speakers
Dr. VALDEZ Jana Patricia is an Assistant Professor from the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Education University of Hong Kong. She finished her PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Hong Kong. Her research focuses on two areas: (1) How social-emotional constructs such as gratitude affect students' well-being and academic performance; and (2) What are the factors that contribute to teachers adopting and integrating technology in teaching and learning effectively. Combining these two areas, she also explores the development of digital well-being among young children and the social-emotional progress of students as they interact with technology (i.e., GenAI platforms). She also serves as an associate editor for the School Psychology International and as a member of the editorial boards for the Asian Journal of Social Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, and the International Journal for Applied Positive Psychology.
Dr. Jesus Alfonso Daep Datu (Jess) is an Associate Professor of Guidance Counselling and Gifted Education in the Human Communication, Learning, and Development (HCLD) Academic Unit in the Faculty of Education at The University of Hong Kong. He also serves as the Director of the Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education (CAISE). Further, he is the Director of the Science of Happiness and Positive Education (SHAPE) Lab. He is a well-being scientist with interests in positive psychology, positive education, inclusive education, giftedness, and teachers’ social-emotional development.
Dr. Konstanze Schoeps is a General Health Psychologist and Associated Professor at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia. She holds a PhD in Psychological Research (2019), awarded with the Extraordinary Doctorate Award and International Distinction. She has completed research stays in Germany (Humboldt and Free University of Berlin) and the United States (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and has been a visiting professor in Hong Kong and Chile. Her research focuses on socio-emotional development in children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly the use of digital tools—such as serious games and online programs—to promote psychological well-being. She is co-author of the MADEMO program on emotional education for teachers and principal investigator of several innovation and international cooperation projects, including the Erasmus+ project SEL4@ll: Promoting Well-being Among European Adolescents. Dr. Schoeps has authored over 40 JCR-indexed publications and presented more than 100 conference contributions internationally.
Cara Dillon, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Miami University. Her research focuses on integrating technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) into school psychology training and K-12 education. Implementation science is a secondary focus of her research. Additionally, Dr. Dillon works in advocacy spaces and encourages others to get involved in advocacy for the profession. She is also a Co-Chair of APA Division 16's Women in Psychology Committee and Co-Chair of the NASP Advocacy and Public Policy Interest Group.