School Partnerships
Children's emotional health does not develop in isolation — it is shaped by families, schools, and the wider digital world.
Alongside my writing and teaching, I work in partnership with secondary schools to better understand how young people experience technology, AI, and emotional pressure in real life. The aim is simple: to ensure that guidance for parents and educators reflects the world children are actually growing up in.
What This Involves
In partnership with schools, this work may include:
Important: No individual child is identified. No personal data is shared publicly. Participation is always guided by school ethics and parental consent.
Our Approach to Partnership
Three principles that shape every school collaboration.
Real Experience
Grounding guidance in the actual world children are growing up in, rather than adult-centred theories.
Beyond Restriction
Moving past simple restriction-only approaches toward a deeper understanding of digital resilience.
Realistic Strategies
Developing supportive strategies that reflect real-life challenges and build genuine family connection.
How This Work Is Used
The knowledge gained through school partnerships is an essential part of the evidence base at The Connected Child. These insights directly inform the development of parent workshops, school training sessions, online courses, and future writing. By sharing this learning as a collective resource, we ensure that all guidance remains grounded in the actual experiences of young people today, offering families supportive and realistic strategies that reflect the complexities of the digital world.
What Parents Can Expect
Parents connected to participating schools may be offered:
This work is always shared with care, clarity, and context.
Why This Matters for Parents
Much advice about technology and mental health is based on adult assumptions, outdated models, or fear-driven narratives. Working directly with schools helps ground guidance in real experience, move beyond restriction-only approaches, and develop emotionally supportive, realistic strategies.