Across the country, educators are grappling with the growing impact of social media on student mental health, behavior, and learning. What once began as simple online interactions now shapes attention, relationships, and trust both inside and outside the classroom. From group chats to viral challenges, digital culture has redefined school climate—often faster than policies or adults can respond.
This session helps school and district leaders understand and lead through the youth mental health crisis fueled by engagement technology. Grounded in current research and real-world implementation, participants will explore how social media and device use affect attention, emotional regulation, and belonging before students even enter the building. The discussion highlights why current responses such as like phone bans, monitoring software, or compliance-based mandates, often fail to address root causes or foster long-term change.
