“Not all screen time is created equal.”
Brett Moller
In this episode, Mal Galer is joined by Brett Moller (Director of Knowledge Services and Head of Creative Industries, St Andrew’s Anglican College) to explore the role technology plays in the lives of young people, both at school and at home.
Drawing on his experience as both an educator and a parent, Brett unpacks the growing concerns many families have around screen time, social media and digital wellbeing. He challenges the idea that all screen time is the same, highlighting the important differences between passive consumption, communication and meaningful creation — and why understanding these distinctions is key to supporting healthy technology use.
Together, they explore how technology can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity and problem-solving when used with intention. Through real examples, Brett shares how students are using digital tools to design solutions, tell meaningful stories and develop empathy — demonstrating the positive potential of technology in education.
The conversation also provides practical, grounded advice for parents navigating the digital world at home. Brett emphasises the importance of staying engaged, asking questions and building ongoing conversations with children about their technology use — rather than relying solely on rules or restrictions. He also introduces the idea of creating “islands of sanity” — intentional moments away from screens that help restore balance, connection and perspective.
This is a thoughtful and highly practical discussion for any parent seeking to better understand technology’s role in their child’s life — and how to guide its use in a way that supports wellbeing, learning and meaningful growth.
