|
View in browser |
 |
|
|
|
|
Dear friends of the Dais,
As students and teachers head back to the classroom, they’re joined by a familiar, and often distracting, companion: the smartphone. The debate over how to manage personal devices in schools is intensifying across Canada. The core challenge is clear: how do we create learning environments where technology is a tool, not a temptation?
This is the question driving our Screen Break initiative, Canada’s movement for building healthier digital habits in schools. We’re working with students, parents, educators, school boards and policymakers in every province to help them effectively limit the personal use of phones during the school day.
Today, we’re releasing our Roundtable Reflections that summarize the key themes and findings from rich discussions in all 10 provinces this past year. Complementary to this work, our Youth Champions Network—an amazing cohort of students from across Canada—have been actively prepared to bring these conversations to their school communities this fall.
To support efforts to improve screen policies and their effectiveness in schools from coast to coast, we’re launching a suite of new resources:
Finally, these conversations require bringing everyone to the table - especially young people. That’s why you’re invited to URL to IRL, a half-day intergenerational dialogue about education policy, technology, and digital wellness. Hosted on campus at TMU, this event will feature conversations with leaders including Senator Katherine Hay, YouTuber Sabrina Cruz from Answer In Progress, and media personality Amber Mac. It will also include interactive activities to help young people, educators, and families navigate the new realities of personal devices in schools.
By fostering thoughtful dialogue and providing practical tools, we can support students in building healthier digital habits and help schools navigate the challenges of the digital age.
Yours,
André Côté
Interim Executive Director
The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University |
|
|
Latest at the Dais |
|
|
|
For Students and Parents |
|
|
Youth Champions
Young leaders from across Canada are stepping up to lead conversations on tech, mental health, and education with their peers this fall.
From Grades 9 to 11, each Youth Champion brings a unique voice, lived experience, and bold vision for change. Whether they’re organizing events, learning about policy, or sharing stories from their communities, they’re shaping the future (and having fun while doing it!).
Coming soon: Stay tuned for our Youth Mobilization Toolkit to support young leaders advocating for change in their communities.
|
|
|
|
|
School Implementation Guide
Grounded in an understanding of the day-to-day realities schools face, our Implementation Guide is intended to support educators in planning and implementing phone use policies that are both effective and pragmatic.
Coming soon: stay tuned for our hands-on teaching guide and professional development modules, coming in Fall 2025.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phone use policies are being introduced in different ways, and at different speeds, creating a patchwork of rules across the country. Our interactive map lets you quickly compare policies side by side, making it easier to spot trends, gaps, and promising approaches—so we can support healthier, more focused learning environments for students everywhere. |
|
|
|
|
Policymaker Playbook
The Policymaker Playbook offers a clear, evidence-informed roadmap for crafting and implementing effective phone use policies. |
|
| GET THE PLAYBOOK |
|
|
|
|
Roundtable Reflections |
 |
|
Complementing the Playbook, our roundtable reflections Navigating Phone Use in Schools distills what we heard from 150+ roundtable participants across all 10 provinces. It includes insights framed around early successes, implementation challenges, and broader systemic considerations. |
| WHAT WE HEARD |
|
|
|
|
In Focus |
|
|
URL to IRL |
 |
|
Join us for a free, half-day intergenerational dialogue about education policy, technology, and youth futures. URL to IRL will feature interactive activities and conversations to help young people, educators and families navigate personal device restrictions in schools.
DATE: Saturday, September 27
TIME: 9 a.m.—1 p.m. EDT
LOCATION: In-person at Toronto Metropolitan University
|
| JOIN US IRL |
|
|
In the News |
|
|
Economy |
|
|
Labour Day: Why are so many Canadian workers striking this year? (Global News)
An interview with our manager of economic research, Viet Vu, on labour dispute trends.
|
|
Technology |
|
|
AI companies must honour a foundational rule of the internet: Respecting site owners’ wishes on content (The Globe and Mail)
An op-ed by our manager of economic research, Viet Vu, on the need for AI companies to respect website owners’ content.
Government jobs are more vulnerable to disruption by AI, study shows (The Globe and Mail)
Shares the findings of our latest report, Adoption Ready?, on the impact of AI adoption on public sector workers. Coverage of the report, and interviews with author Viet Vu, have also been published in the Ottawa Sun and The Hill Times.
|
|
|
Community Goings On |
|
|
RALLY 2025 |
 |
|
On October 21, RALLY 2025 will take over Meridian Hall with 3,000+ high school students and teachers. This one-day digital wellness festival features over 30 speakers, inspiring performances, and interactive zones built around five core themes: mental health & digital wellness, self-expression & identity, digital citizenship & media literacy, social impact & community and the future of work & technology.
📣 Teachers: register your class for FREE at www.timetorally.ca and give your students a field trip they’ll never forget. Limited spots available — reserve today! |
| TIME TO RALLY |
|
|
|
|
