By Mr. S, Technology Learning Coach
On October 13, our YIS community had the opportunity to engage deeply with the topic of digital wellness through a series of sessions led by Patrick Green, a former international school educator and now global consultant in the field of responsible technology use and screen time balance. We are so thankful Patrick came to YIS to work alongside our staff, students, and parents as we continue building a shared culture of mindful and intentional technology use.
Patrick worked with our teachers, focusing on practical strategies for managing digital distractions in the classroom and helping students develop ownership over their technology habits. Later, he facilitated sessions with our Middle and High School students, where they explored how app and platform designers intentionally create features to keep users scrolling, and more importantly, how young people can reclaim agency by understanding these design choices and making conscious decisions about their own digital lives.
Patrick also met with our parent community for an honest and insightful conversation titled “The Truth About Screen Time.” Here, he unpacked the realities of parenting in a world where technology is ever-present and increasingly persuasive. The session sparked thoughtful dialogue around boundaries, modeling healthy habits, and developing shared family expectations rather than relying on restrictions alone. If you’d like to view a recording of this session, you can do so here.
These conversations marked an important step forward, but they are just the beginning.
To keep this momentum going, we warmly invite all parents to join us at YIS on November 20 from 8:30-9:30 for a community forum focused on digital wellness at school and at home. During this session, we will share how YIS is intentionally scaffolding students’ self-management skills around technology, while also creating space for parents to learn from one another. Our aim is to connect families across divisions, offering parents the opportunity to reflect on questions such as, “When is the right time for a first smartphone?” or “What practices set children up for healthy tech habits later on?” . More details about this event will be shared in the coming weeks.
One of our greatest strengths as a school community comes when we learn together. When we share experiences, listen openly, and support one another, we create the conditions for our children to develop healthy, confident, and balanced relationships with technology.