Bestselling author Michele Borba speaks at Forest View on Dec. 4

Would you like to see your kids become more empathetic in today's selfie-driven world?

Dr. Michele Borba, a bestselling author and internationally renowned educator, will provide tips about how to cultivate empathy in your kids at an upcoming free workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd. in Arlington Heights.

"Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our 'All About Me World'' is an insightful presentation that is part of the Future Ready Parent Series. Borba explains why developing a healthy sense of empathy is a key predictor of which kids will thrive and succeed in the future.

"There will be dozens of tips you can use to take home," said Borba.

Today's "Selfie Syndrome" is leading to an empathy crisis among today's teens, according to Borba. Teens today are 40 percent less empathetic than they were just a generation ago and narcissism has increased 58 percent during that same time period.

The good news is Borba offers a 9-step program to help parents nurture and encourage empathy in children birth to young adulthood.

"Our kids are hard wired to care, but if we don't nurture it, it lies dormant," shared Borba.

In today's hyper-connected social media saturated society, "this generation of kids is also the loneliest," said Borba. She said that stress, anxiety and suicide rates have increased.

"Most bullying still starts face to face," said Borba, who is an educational psychologist and expert in bullying, character development, child behavior and empathy. She has appeared on various television shows, including the TODAY show, Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Oz and many more.

Register for the free workshop at ce.d214.org, or by phone at (847) 718-7700.