Why I created the PTAC (Parent Tech Action Coalition)

Hi, I’m Larz (also known as Larissa).

I am a survivor of the Digital Age.

10 years ago, I almost lost my life to social media—yes, you read that right. As a young person, I didn’t have the skills or tools to navigate the digital world. It felt like an adventure none of us were ready for—not me, not my parents, not even my doctors. The internet was this vast, uncharted territory, and I found myself overwhelmed, unsure, and ultimately lost in it.

Fast forward to today: after years of receiving DMs from parents asking for help, I’ve decided it’s time to take what I’ve learned from a decade at #HalfTheStory and build something new—something to serve parents who are facing the same challenges I did as a teen.

Introducing the PTAC: Parent Tech Action Coalition

The PTAC—Parent Tech Action Coalition—is a fresh take on screens. It’s a judgment-free community where we come together to learn, share, and grow as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology. Think of it as your go-to resource for digital parenting (backed by doctors), designed to help you understand and guide your kids through this tech-heavy world with confidence.

What Comes with the PTAC?

• Weekly Newsletter: Stay on top of the latest trends, parenting tips, and digital wellbeing insights.

• Digital Parenting Style Quiz & Diagnostic: Discover your digital parenting style and receive tailored resources to help you navigate the challenges specific to your family.

• Monthly Dr. Office Hours: Join us for personalized guidance from a certified psychiatrist, along with community support groups on the first and third Wednesday of every month. >> Sign up here.

• Community Care: Connect with like-minded parents at all stages of the screen journey. Share experiences, discuss struggles, and celebrate wins together.

The PTAC Ground Rules:

1. Judgment-Free Zone: We’re all here to learn, so come with an open mind and respect for others’ experiences.

2. Inclusive: Every parent, every style, every journey—you're welcome here.

3. Empowerment Over Shame: We focus on what you can do, not what you didn’t do.

4. Real Talk, Real Tools: This is a space for practical advice, resources, and real conversations about what it means to parent in the digital age.

I’m excited to bring this vision to life with my best friend Dr. Raghu Appasani and to create a supportive space where we can all learn how to raise kids who thrive in the digital world. If you’re ready to join the movement, check out the PTAC and let’s navigate this new age of parenting—together.

For more, visit: Founding PTAC

The future is bright and less blue light,

Larissa May