Welcome back to Destination Boarding, where we dive into the conversations that matter most for boarding school families—whether you're just starting your journey or you're deep in it already.
In this expert episode, I’m catching up with Richard Stokes, the CEO of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA). If you’re not familiar with ABSA, they’re the go-to organisation for boarding schools in Australia—supporting staff, students, and families while working closely with educational and government bodies both here and overseas.
Today, we’re talking about a big one: social media. It’s everywhere, it’s fast-moving, and it’s incredibly hard to manage—especially when your child is living away from home.
We discuss:
How boarding schools approach social media and phone use
Why banning devices isn’t always the answer
The importance of teaching students how to manage their screens (and sleep)
Why conversations are more powerful than control
As Richard says in this episode, “The most important thing we do is actually continue to talk to our boarders about the challenges social media can be.”
It’s a world we didn’t grow up with, and for parents, it can feel like a minefield. But the key might just be in connection—between staff, students, and families.
Thank you to Courtney Dunn for editing this episode.
Boarding Schools Expo: https://boardingexpo.com.au
Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA): https://www.boarding.org.au