Phones, tablets and laptops are now a normal part of school life — but how much technology is too much?

In Episode 6 of School Ties, Freddie Mills and Henry Stoot explore how schools are navigating the increasingly complicated relationship between education and technology.

They look at the growing use of tablets and laptops in the classroom, from easier access to resources and opportunities for personalised learning to concerns around distraction, screen fatigue, handwriting and whether technology always leads to better learning.

The conversation then turns to perhaps the bigger issue for parents: mobile phones. With many schools introducing increasingly strict policies, Freddie and Henry discuss what is driving the change, what different approaches look like in practice, and whether taking phones away actually helps young people develop healthier habits.

They also explore why there isn't necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. For boarders, limiting phone use can encourage friendships and participation in school life; for international pupils, a phone can provide an important connection with family thousands of miles away; while for day pupils, the challenges can look different again.

Finally, they discuss what parents can do at home — from supporting school policies to setting boundaries and modelling healthy habits themselves.

Technology isn't going away. The challenge for schools and families is helping young people learn to use it well.

A balanced conversation about screens, smartphones and finding the right place for technology in school life.

Email in your questions: schooltiespodcast@outlook.com