In Queensland Catholic Schools, technology and screen time play a major role in improving engagement, providing access to a range of resources and supporting learning from Prep students using Smart Boards, iPads and Chromebooks to learn basic Information and Communication Technology capabilities. Students also learn about ‘screen time’ vs ‘green time’ in prep, which helps students understand balancing screen time with activities and exercise away from a screen.

Catholic Schools face pressure to ensure students are digitally competent for standardised testing such as NAPLAN, while balancing traditional learning. Catholic Schools focus on strengthening basic life skills with digital skills needed for their futures, such as, writing in lined books for class and researching in libraries, meantime completing assessments in Google Docs on Chromebooks.

The Role Of Technology In Education

Technology plays a key role in modern classrooms. A study of 76 countries indicated that schools with better ICT infrastructure performed better in reading, mathematics and science (Bozku?, 2021). Within our schools, our staff's laptops connect to interactive TVs, teaching planning is completed digitally, and access to resources and learning materials online. These digital plans link directly to educational resources, including teaching slides, Google Classroom and other platforms such as educational games and Canva.

What is Digital Wellbeing?

Digital wellbeing is the practice of maintaining a healthy relationship with technology and focusing on how devices and digital services affect a person’s mental, physical and social health.

A study by Deakin University on the correlation of digital technology to the reduced wellbeing of young kids found more technology use in young children was associated with poorer wellbeing outcomes across psychosocial wellbeing, social functioning, parent-child relationship and behavioral functioning.

Digital wellbeing plays a critical role in schools to ensure students can engage with technology in ways that support their learning and development. Catholic schools implement a range of strategies to help support this balance, with teachers having the ability to monitor Chromebook’s with software such as Hapara.  Lessons also offer a balance between pen/pencil bookwork and use of Chromebooks. However, schools continue to face growing challenges with self-regulation and short attention spans, underscoring the need for ongoing support and structured digital practices.

How Technology is Used in Queensland Catholic Schools

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission supports the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education in ways that are socially inclusive and aligned with students’ diverse needs and aspirations.

Townsville Catholic Education schools apply this vision by integrating technology practices, including Google Workspace and Hapara, to facilitate collaboration, feedback, and classroom management. Lesson plans blend digital and traditional methods to engage students both digitally and through handwritten work.

Students in Townsville Catholic Education schools have structured and progressive access to digital devices to support their learning. From Grade 2, students are issued 1:1 Chromebooks, with usage time increasing in higher year levels. To promote responsible use, all students are required to sign an ICT pledge that reinforces expectations for safe and respectful use of digital tools.

Support Systems in Catholic Schools for Digital Wellbeing

Guidance Counsellors play a vital role at Townsville Catholic Education schools, supporting the holistic wellbeing of students. In the context of technology, Guidance Counsellors stay informed about dangerous or risky trends circulating online and share with staff and parents how to help their children safely navigate them.

They also provide professional insight into the impacts of screens on student behaviour, attention, and emotional regulation, and offer strategies to address issues such as cyberbullying, online addiction and inappropriate online behaviour.

Managing Technology Use with Parental Support

Technology habits formed at home significantly influence how students engage with digital tools at school. Unrestricted or excessive screen time outside of school – particularly involving gaming, social media or short-form video content – leads to a preference for instant gratification, reduced attention spans, and difficulty self-regulating their device use in classroom settings.

Townsville Catholic Education recognises the importance of strong communication with families in promoting healthy digital habits.  A range of information and resources is made available to parents and families through Principal newsletters and parent portals.

Final Thoughts

Queensland Catholic Schools are committed to prioritising their students’ digital wellbeing.  Part of day-to-day learning is preparing students for digital literacy while safeguarding their well-being.  The integration of technology in the classroom, through tools such as Chromebooks, Google Workspace, and interactive learning platforms, equips students with the skills to thrive academically and socially. With all these benefits, it is still recognised that the challenge of excessive screen time needs to be balanced with initiatives such as ‘screen time vs green time’ and teacher support.

Schools continue to work closely with parents to encourage healthy technology use at home and educate them on how healthy use can be maintained.  Through both school and parent support, Catholic Schools aim to teach students the benefits of technology while maintaining emotional and social balance.