IGS recently hosted its first The Ultimo Series lecture of the year, featuring Professor Amanda Third, an expert in young people’s digital engagement. Addressing the thought-provoking topic What is it about the phone? Thinking through young people’s engagement with technology, Professor Third explored the complexities of young people’s digital lives, the role of resilience and the evolving challenges of parenting in a digital world.
Professor Third is a Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre, which has conducted participatory studies with over 8,000 children across 80 countries. These studies have shaped policies and practices aimed at improving young people’s digital safety and experiences. A key takeaway from her research is that resilience is a transformative capacity shaped by social networks. She emphasised that young people need both exposure to adversity and strong support systems to develop this resilience.
The discussion delved into parental concerns regarding mobile phones and social media. Professor Third acknowledged that while technology provides numerous benefits, it also poses risks. The recent Australian legislation raising the minimum social media age to 16 was a focal point of debate. She questioned whether such measures, driven largely by political and media pressures, genuinely serve young people’s best interests. Instead, she called for a more evidence-based approach that supports both children and parents in navigating digital spaces safely.
“The risks of harm are real, but we must resist simplistic, causal explanations and look at the whole picture”.
Professor Third revisited the 2018 debate on banning mobile phones in New South Wales schools, which concluded that outright bans were not constructive. The pandemic further highlighted the critical role of technology in maintaining learning and connection. She warned against reactive policies and stressed the importance of fostering balanced digital habits rather than imposing blanket restrictions.
The lecture also addressed how parents can support their children’s digital well-being. Professor Third highlighted:
- The need for open and ongoing conversations about online risks, including financial and sexual exploitation.
- The importance of role-modelling healthy technology use at home.
- Encouraging children to critically assess the content they engage with.
- Recognising that children are not addicted to their devices but to the relationships they nurture through them.
- Lobbying for better regulations from technology platforms to ensure safer digital environments.
A key insight from the discussion was that young people do not distinguish between their online and offline worlds. Their digital interactions are an extension of their everyday lives, used for communication, learning and civic engagement. Professor Third pointed out that rather than dismissing social media as harmful, it is crucial to equip children with digital literacy skills and help them navigate the online space responsibly.
Professor Third concluded with a reassuring message: children will be alright if they have the right support. She urged parents to be proactive, informed and engaged in their children’s digital experiences rather than fearful or restrictive. She also emphasised the importance of allowing young people the space to innovate and shape the world, while also guiding them towards responsible digital citizenship.
Key Recommendations for Parents
- Talk to children early and often about their digital lives and potential risks.
- Model responsible technology use and create family norms around digital engagement.
- Collaborate with other parents to advocate for better policies and practices from technology companies.
- Support digital literacy education and empower children to critically engage with online content.
Book recommendations
- Parents under pressure by Vivek Murthy
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Thank you to everyone who attended the lecture, including our guest speaker, Professor Amanda Third, for sharing her invaluable insights, and our IGS hosts, Thom Marchbank Deputy Principal Academic and Mia Wroniak Year 12 STEM Student Leader, for leading such an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
Upcoming lectures at The Ultimo Series
The Ultimo Series at IGS fosters meaningful conversations about contemporary issues, equipping students, parents, educators and the Community with insights to navigate the evolving world. We look forward to the next engaging lecture in the series Leading the future: Skills our children need in a post-AI 21st Century with Dr Sandra Peter on the 29 May and Helping neurodiverse children and young people to thrive at home and at school with Professor Adam Guastella on 28 August.
Tickets are available here.