About Me
About Me
Ilene Zeff, MS, MLM
I’ve spent nearly three decades working in education at the intersection of children, technology, and learning—always promoting literacy and meaningful human connection. As an early elementary library media specialist, a parent of two successfully launched sons, and a lifelong learner, I’ve seen firsthand how screens can both enrich and overwhelm our lives.
My passion for digital wellness is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences. Professionally, I began my career in natural resource management, worked in the tech industry, managed technology in a private school, ran a family business, and ultimately found my home in public school libraries. Combined with my personal journey, these experiences have fully equipped me to do this work—blending my love of information, my belief that change is possible, and my understanding that the relationships we have with ourselves and others are most precious.
Today, as a Digital Wellness Educator, I help families, schools, and communities create healthier relationships with technology. I draw from my professional expertise, personal journey, and commitment to mental health and balance to provide guidance that is practical, compassionate, and grounded in both science and lived experience.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me cycling, reading, preparing tasty food, or walking my chocolate lab, Teddy.
My Approach
Helping Families Thrive in a Digital World
Technology is everywhere, and screens are more than just entertainment—they’re often how both kids and adults manage stress, boredom, and emotions. In many families, this reliance builds gradually, shaping routines and habits before anyone even notices—a phenomenon I call Digital Drift.
I help families understand these patterns and use key levers of digital parenting—like creating supportive environments, setting intentional routines, and fostering connection—to strengthen the pillars of digital wellness: awareness, balance, healthy environments, and strong relationships.
My approach is system-wide: we focus on guiding the whole family, helping everyone model healthy digital habits, so screens support life rather than distract from it.
Certifications
National Institute for Digital Health and Wellness
Psychologist and author Dr. Nicholas Kardaras taught this course. He is an international expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age.
The course covered a variety of topics, including evidence-based research related to the impact of technology on children and their mental health and brains.
The Center for Humane Technology was established to help create technologies that can have a more positive impact on humanity.
Such technologies respect human nature, minimize harmful consequences, center values, create shared understanding, support fairness and justice, and help people thrive.
This digital wellness certificate provided a deep understanding of the attention economy and technology's impact on human behavior.
It has furnished me with a framework for digital wellness, which I can apply to foster a healthier relationship with technology, both personally and for others.
This certification has positioned me to leverage technology as a tool for optimizing well-being, enabling me to promote digital wellness and flourishing effectively.
ScreenStrong's mission is to empower families to reclaim their kids from the toxic elements of today's digital world.
As a ScreenStrong Ambassador, I am trained to give ScreenStrong workshops, create support groups, lead book groups, and be available for additional support.