Published on: 4 March 2026



On Tuesday, Christ Church hosted a Year 7 Parent Forum titled Social and Emotional Development in the Digital World, equipping families with practical strategies to help their sons navigate technology in healthy and responsible ways.

Led by Brad Gardner, Director of the Centre for Health and Wellbeing, alongside Senior School Psychologist Michael Ralph, the session explored how boys’ social worlds are increasingly shaped by both online and offline interactions. Parents were encouraged to adopt structured approaches to device use that support healthy habits, strong relationships and the development of self-regulation.

“As young people grow up in an increasingly connected world, our role is not to remove technology from their lives, but to help them develop the character and capability to use it well,” Brad Gardner said.

The forum emphasised the importance of consistent boundaries at home, open conversations between parents and sons, and a strong partnership between families and the School. Together, these approaches help boys build the judgement and confidence required to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

The event forms part of the School’s ongoing commitment to working closely with families to support students’ social, emotional and digital wellbeing as they transition into the Senior School years.