Anthony England, Director of Innovation at Pymble Ladies’ College, discusses a bold grassroots initiative to reclaim childhood from the grip of digital addiction. With screen time skyrocketing and mental health declining, Anthony and his team took action—rolling out over 800 custom-managed smartphones designed to grow with students, limit harmful content, and foster real-world connection.
Pymble has chosen a new and courageous path—one that protects wellbeing while preparing students to thrive in a complex digital world.
At the centre of this conversation is the Pymble Wise Phone Initiative, launching in 2025. This school-wide program will provide a wiser mobile phone choice to students in Years 4 to 8, replacing traditional smartphones with custom-managed devices that grow with the child. Designed to be boring by design—but brilliant in impact—these phones limit harmful content while enabling connection, safety, and gradual digital independence.
We dive into:
This initiative is not about restriction—it’s about protection and empowerment. By uniting the school and home in a shared mission, Pymble is creating a spring-free trampoline for digital life—a safe ecosystem where children can grow stronger, not more stressed.
✨ “We are choosing a new and courageous path to make the world a better place for our girls.” – Pymble Ladies’ College
💡 If you’re a parent, teacher, policymaker, or school leader searching for practical answers, this episode will inspire, inform, and empower you to take the next step toward a wiser digital future.
This is a hopeful and practical blueprint for schools, parents, and policymakers navigating the digital age. It’s not about banning tech but making it safer, smarter, and developmentally appropriate.
💡If you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader wondering how to make meaningful change, this episode will inspire and empower you with real-world solutions.
Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!