Growing Up in Public

Connected Schools Series

Every school leader has asked themselves: "Am I the only one dealing with this?"

Connected Schools exists because the most valuable insights don't come from consultants or conference keynotes—they come from conversations with peers who've walked in your shoes. Our monthly series brings together experienced school leaders, administrators, and safety experts for authentic discussions about the operational challenges that keep you up at night: building safety cultures, managing emergencies, implementing new policies, and creating systems that actually work.

We created this series after hearing from dozens of education leaders who were hungry for real talk from real schools. No product demos, no sales pitches—just practical wisdom from professionals who understand that every decision you make impacts the safety and success of your students.

Webinar Overview

Join us for a timely conversation featuring renowned author and digital well-being expert Dr. Devorah Heitner as we address the complex challenges and opportunities that phone restriction policies present for school operations. As more schools implement phone bans to improve academic focus and mental health, we'll explore the critical operational implications that often go unaddressed in these transitions.

Dr. Heitner, author of "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World," brings research-based insights on how digital life shapes student identity, relationships, and well-being. Her expertise, combined with perspectives from school leaders navigating these changes, will provide a comprehensive view of both the challenges and opportunities in phone-restricted environments.

What You'll Learn:

• How traditional safety and emergency protocols must evolve when students no longer have immediate access to communication devices
• Strategies for rebuilding community trust through thoughtful policy implementation that includes student voices
• Understanding the shifting social dynamics in phone-restricted environments and their impact on school culture
• Practical approaches to balancing protection with connection as students develop digital citizenship skills
• Alternative systems for addressing the legitimate needs phones previously fulfilled in school operations

This session is designed for school administrators, technology directors, safety officers, and policy makers who are navigating or considering phone restriction policies. Participants will leave with actionable insights and resources to implement thoughtful, comprehensive approaches that address both the educational benefits and operational challenges of creating phone-restricted learning environments.