Digital wellness took center stage as the King community gathered to explore how technology shapes education and discuss strategies for fostering digital wellness at home and school during “Tech Through the Ages: An Intergenerational Dialogue About Innovation.” The event, held on Thursday, January 9, welcomed students, parents, educators, and alumni to the Upper School Library Learning Commons for an evening of insightful dialogue and discussion.

In her opening remarks, Head of School Carol Maoz outlined the night’s significance in a time of ubiquitous and rapidly evolving technology.

“It is incredibly important to encourage and facilitate cross-generational conversation so that we can understand one another better and balance technology’s challenges and opportunities,” she said.

Digital Wellness Coordinator Daniel Block echoed Moaz, emphasizing the need for mutual understanding and respect across generations. Block noted that both parents and their children are equally affected by technology, showing images of both groups disconnected from each other while immersed in their devices. 

The night’s keynote speaker, Nadira Hira, a renowned journalist, moderator, and expert in generational engagement, challenged the audience to begin with empathy and modeling when setting expectations for children regarding technology. She shared how, in her work, people are often surprised to discover how much they’re connected to their devices.

“They might start having one perspective on who they are with respect to their technology, and by the end of our discussion, their eyes are completely open,” said Hira. “They're realizing, ‘oh my gosh, maybe I am scrolling every single time I have a moment to myself that I could be using to do anything else.’”

Breakout discussions organized by generation allowed participants to reflect on their unique and shared experiences with technology. Many parents shared memories of adapting to the early days of personal computers and expressed concerns about their children’s use of technology. The student breakout provided perspectives on growing up in a world shaped by smartphones and social media, with peers offering advice on how to leverage the benefits of technology.

Hira also moderated a panel discussion featuring King students, alumni, parents, and educators. Panelists delved into the opportunities and challenges posed by digital tools in learning with topics ranging from leveraging technology to enhance collaboration and creativity to addressing the pitfalls of group chats and apps that become distracting addictions.

The event reflects King’s ongoing commitment to cultivating digital wellness while ensuring that students are academically successful and ethically grounded. As technology continues to evolve, events like this ensure that students, families, and educators remain united in their efforts to embrace innovation with wisdom and empathy.

Special thanks to the Digital Wellness Committee for organizing the event, Digital Wellness Coordinator Daniel Block, Keynote Speaker Nadira Hira, Head of School Carol Maoz, and the following panelists:

Camille Bley ’29
Luke Buttenwieser ’19
Ellen Eagleton, Teacher
Nikita Gusinski ’29
Jay Hill, Teacher and Grade 9 Dean
Hathaway Liparidis ’26
Maggie O’Callaghan ’25
Penny Price ’29
Kiran Rao ’25
Noah Siegman ’32