Finding Balance with Tech in Schools – A View from our Head

The question of why so many children feel anxious or disengaged at school is an essential one. We believe that for education to truly prepare young people for the future, it must evolve beyond outdated models of rote memorisation to meet their needs in an increasingly complex, digital world.

At Knightsbridge School (KS), we know that success is about more than just grades. It’s about building essential life skills, fostering emotional well-being, and preparing children to be resilient, confident, and kind. These values are the bedrock of the KS Code and our curriculum. We focus on creating a safe environment where pupils can discover their passion and learn confidently from their mistakes. While our academic results at 11+, 13+, and GCSE remain strong, we see them as only a part of a young person’s story, not the thing that defines them.

Mental Health, Screens, and the Need for Balance

In his 2024 book The Anxious Generation, psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the link between rising adolescent mental health challenges and two major shifts: the decline of unsupervised play and the explosion of smartphone use. Haidt’s findings on screen time and digital balance strongly align with the technology policies we have championed at KS for many years.

The context of screen time is key. While sharing a film as a family can foster connection, endless, isolated scrolling through social media can lead to disconnection, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and constant social comparison. The digital world exposes young people to risks often without sufficient safeguarding.

Simultaneously, Haidt highlights “safetyism” – the modern trend to overprotect children. Shielding them from independence and minor risks deprives them of opportunities to build resilience and learn from challenges. Independent play, navigating real-life social dynamics, and taking minor risks are vital for developing confident, capable young people.

Our Approach to Technology use in School

Independence and creativity are at the heart of the Knightsbridge School ethos. This is why we maintain a phone-free environment; senior pupils hand in their devices every morning to ensure their focus remains on engaging directly with their teachers and peers and on their learning. After all, school is a vital social space. By removing digital distractions, we protect our pupils’ ability to build real-world friendships, celebrate successes together, and offer genuine support during tougher moments.

What about Chromebooks?

We do use Chromebooks in some lessons, but as targeted educational tools for specific tasks rather than a default mode of learning. They are never used during social times. Reading, writing, and collaboration remain top priorities.

All device use is monitored and filtered, and social media access is blocked. We intentionally keep Chromebooks at school, encouraging students to complete homework in dedicated prep time where possible. This allows children to go home and simply be children – unplugged, spending time with family, and free from the burden of carrying tech back and forth.

A Shared Commitment to Wellbeing and Building Digital Resilience

Our approach is central to our ethos and mission to build happy, confident children. When senior schools describe our pupils as confident, resilient, sociable, and ready to embrace any challenge, the benefits and success of our approach are clear. It does mean that we have to work together to support the children through social or friendship issues but that is normal; that is learning. As Haidt reminds us: 

“If you want to predict how happy someone is, or how long she will live… you should find out about her social relationships.”

Ultimately, our shared goal is to help every pupil grow into a confident, happy young person who can thrive in a digital world, not be overwhelmed by it. We are confident that our balanced approach, prioritising meaningful in-person interactions and responsible technology use, will continue to contribute to the well-being and future success of every child at Knightsbridge School.