Join us for a timely community conversation on how schools across Massachusetts are tackling the challenges of cell phone and social media use. We’ll explore the impact of screen time on student well-being, what’s working (and what’s not) with school phone bans, and new policies emerging across the state. You’ll hear directly from educators, students, parents, mental health experts, and policymakers.
We’ll dive deep into what schools across the state are doing to manage cell phone usage in the classroom.
You’ll hear directly from experts about:
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- The impact of screen time on student well-being and learning
- In-school phone bans: Perspectives from educators, parents and students
- New policies on the horizon
This event is for:
- Parents navigating tech use at home
- Educators & school leaders looking for real-world strategies
- Mental health professionals supporting students
- Students who want their voices heard
- Policymakers & advocates shaping school policies
Together, we’ll discuss real-world solutions that support our students’ growth while managing the distractions and risks that come with tech.
Dennis Kohut has served as the principal of Swampscott High School since 2019, and has been with the school since 2006. Swampscott High School's cell phone policy was launched in 2024 under Dennis' leadership. Kohut holds a master’s in School Administration from Endicott College and a master’s in Education from UMass Boston.
David Monahan is the Campaign Director at Fairplay, the leading nonprofit organization committed to helping kids and teens thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture. For the past year, David has led Fairplay’s efforts to promote phone-free schools in the US and Canada. David was an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General for 15 years, including six years as Deputy Division Chief.
Dr. Peter Stiepleman is a nationally recognized leader with experience engaging with distinct communities, from the United States Embassy in Madrid, Spain, to corporate offices in San Francisco, to the multicultural, multilingual schools in Oakland, California and Columbia, Missouri. In 2021, Peter was named the Missouri Superintendent of the Year. Now living near Seattle, Peter coaches leaders on how to make more predictably successful decisions. Peter is the author of An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action which introduces a human-centered leadership model and system-thinking tools to his readers and he hosts the popular weekly podcast An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast.
This event is part of Looking Up, a new community event series from the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation focused on supporting teen mental health and well-being in the digital age. Each event brings together families, educators, mental health professionals, and youth to explore the challenges and solutions surrounding the overuse of social media and screen time among youth.