From our Principal
The Impact of Technology on Teen Brain Development
Last week, Pope Leo XIV published his first encyclical which is an official Church statement outlining our stance on an important topic. Titled, Magnifica Humanitatis, it warns about the dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence noting that if we let technology and efficiency dominate everything, we may start treating the natural world as something to use up and people as just tools to keep the system running.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend professional learning delivered by Dr Mark Williams and Nikki Bonus, focused on the neuroscience of emotions and learning. The insights shared were both compelling and, at times, confronting — particularly in relation to the impact of excessive technology and social media use on young people.
One of the most important takeaways was this: young people’s brains are not separate from their emotional world — they are shaped by it. Emotions directly influence attention, memory and learning. When a young person is anxious, overstimulated or fatigued, the brain simply cannot operate in a state that allows effective learning to occur.
This has significant implications when we consider the role of social media and technology in teenagers’ lives. The research highlights that constant engagement with devices can contribute to heightened levels of stress, distraction and reduced focus. Dr Williams notes that modern technology can create ongoing interruptions to attention, making it more difficult for young people to sustain concentration and learn deeply.
Equally concerning is the impact on sleep. The consolidation of learning — the process whereby information moves into long-term memory — occurs during sleep. When students are up late on devices, or experience disrupted sleep due to online engagement, this directly affects their capacity to retain what they have learned at school.
Importantly, this is not only a challenge for families. Schools also have a responsibility to ensure that technology is used thoughtfully and intentionally in the classroom. Neuroscientist Dr Jared Cooney Horvath argues that when digital devices are overused in learning environments, they can fragment attention and encourage constant task-switching, making it harder for students to engage in deep thinking. He highlights that students are often off-task for significant periods when using devices, and that increased screen use in classrooms is frequently associated with weaker learning outcomes. Watch: Doctor on How Screen Time Hurts Kids' Cognitive Development
The message is not that technology has no place in education, but that its use must align with how the brain actually learns — requiring sustained focus, effort and meaningful human connection. As a College, we are committed to continually reviewing how technology is used in our classrooms to ensure it supports, rather than distracts from, learning.
As a College, we will continue to work with students to develop healthy habits around technology use. However, this is very much a shared responsibility between school and home. I encourage families to reflect on the balance of technology in their household, particularly in relation to sleep, device-free time, and opportunities for real-world connection.
The evidence is clear: how our young people are using technology is shaping not only their wellbeing, but their capacity to learn and thrive.
Practical Ways Parents Can Support Healthy Technology Use
Establish clear device-free times, particularly before bed, to support quality sleep
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight where possible
Encourage regular breaks from screens, especially during homework
Promote face-to-face social interaction and family connection
Talk openly with your child about social media pressures and online experiences
Model balanced technology use as adults
Support routines that prioritise sleep, physical activity and wellbeing
Encourage students to focus on one task at a time, rather than multitasking
Stay engaged with your child’s learning and ask how technology is being used at school.
Mr David Hansen
Acting Principal