The CoSN Podcast

In this special episode, recorded live at CoSN2026, Dr. Candice Odgers, Associate Dean and Chancellor's Professor at the University of California, Irvine, shares insights from more than 25 years of research on adolescent mental health and digital technology.Drawing on decades of longitudinal research following thousands of young people, Dr. Odgers explores what the evidence actually tells us about smartphones, social media, and youth well-being. She examines the growing gap between headlines and scientific findings, discusses the risks of fear-driven technology policies, and explains why supporting young people requires addressing broader factors that shape their lives.Throughout the keynote, Dr. Odgers challenges common assumptions surrounding screen time and social media while advocating for evidence-based approaches that help students thrive in an increasingly digital world.In This EpisodeWhat more than 25 years of research reveal about adolescents and digital technologyThe gap between headlines and scientific evidence surrounding social media and youth well-beingWhy fear-driven approaches can lead to poor technology decisionsLessons from longitudinal studies following thousands of young peopleThe importance of addressing the underlying causes of youth mental health challengesWhy banning technology may not produce the outcomes adults expectLessons from international efforts to restrict social media accessHow schools and communities can better support students in healthy digital environmentsAbout the SpeakerDr. Candice Odgers is Associate Dean and Chancellor's Professor at the University of California, Irvine. For more than 25 years, her research has focused on adolescent mental health, inequality, and the role technology plays in the lives of young people. Through large-scale longitudinal studies, her work provides some of the most comprehensive evidence available on how digital technology intersects with youth development and well-being.ResourcesWatch the original CoSN2026 keynote on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2I8ZpVi2WYLearn more about CoSN:https://www.cosn.orgLearn more about Dr. Candice Odgers and her work:CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

As AI technology advances, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats exacerbated by generative AI, highlighting how these sophisticated tools are used to create convincing phishing attempts and other forms of social engineering. We will also discuss the positive aspects of AI in enhancing cybersecurity measures, such as AI-driven threat detection and response systems. Emphasizing that humans remain the biggest cybersecurity risk, we will cover strategies to improve security awareness and reduce vulnerabilities through education, humor, and personal touches in communication that both large and small districts can use. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and best practices to protect their school systems against emerging threats while leveraging AI for enhanced security.Key Take Aways:Enhanced Security Awareness and Education: Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how generative AI is being used to create sophisticated social engineering attacks. They will learn strategies to enhance security awareness and education utilizing humor, personal touches, and clear communication to make cybersecurity practices more relatable and memorable.Leveraging AI for Cybersecurity: Explore how IT leaders can utilize readily available tools to improve cybersecurity efforts. These tools can help detect unusual patterns, predict potential threats, and automate routine security tasks. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to integrate these AI technologies into their security practices.Engaging and Inclusive Approaches: The panel will use interactive elements such as real-world scenarios, Q&A sessions, and small group discussions to engage the audience actively. The session will provide inclusive and practical approaches that large and small districts can implement, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for all attendees.Doug Couture, MBA, MAT CETLDirector of TechnologySouth Windsor Public Schools, ConnecticutFrankie Jackson, CETLK-12 Independent CTO, Project Director(Formerly) Cypress Fairbanks ISD, TexasMac McMillian, CISSPAdministrator for ITBeaverton School District, OregonThe Sessions Everyone Was Talking About Webinar SeriesMissed CoSN2025 in Seattle or couldn’t attend every session? Don’t worry—we’re bringing the most popular, standing-room-only presentations to you in a special webinar series. Learn from top EdTech leaders from across the country—no travel needed!Assets:Navigating Cybersecurity in the Age of Generative AI -YouTubeCoSN Volunteer Committees Learn MoreCoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today’s K-12 innovators are navigating an evolving landscape — full of both opportunity and challenge. CoSN invited EdTech leaders from around the world to come together at the Driving K-12 Innovation virtual Summit on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to explore ideas for leading change and receive early access to the 2026 report.Guided by insights from this year’s Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board, participants will explore the 2026 Top Topics: Hurdles that impede progress, the Accelerators that propel it, and the Tech Enablers that support it.This interactive, two-hour virtual experience will blend expert insights with peer connection. Participants will discover actionable strategies and engaging case studies from EdTech experts. They will also have the chance to dig deeper into the Top Topics with fellow attendees to share how these concepts are intersecting in their work.The Summit reinforces that progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it takes shared vision, open collaboration, and collective momentum to build what comes next.Participants will leave with:A snapshot of timely global innovation trendsPeer-tested recommendations to navigate changeNew EdTech community connectionsThe presenters are from the CoSN Driving K-12 Innovations Advisory. This event is only available to CoSN and Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Members.Registration available for CoSN and Advisory Members OnlyParticipants who attend our events live earn 1 CoSN CEA Credit toward CETL® recertification. Email: Dr. Jill Brown jbrown@cosn.org.Assets:CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Summit 2026 - YouTube Webinar2026 CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Summit Miro Board 2026 Driving K-12 Innovation Report: Hurdles, Accelerators & Tech EnablersDriving K-12 Innovation: 2026 Hurdles, Accelerators, Tech Enablers Report CoSN Driving K-12 Innovation Advisory Board Interest FormVolunteer for CoSN - membership@cosn.org CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this webinar, we share real K–12 success stories that demonstrate purposeful and balanced EdTech use.Hear from district leaders and educators who have implemented tools and strategies that boosted student outcomes, supported teacher workload, and created healthier digital learning environments.You’ll LearnHow districts apply CoSN’s screen-time and digital-wellbeing recommendationsExamples of high-impact tech use that increases engagement, not passive screen timeStrategies that improve access, reduce workload, and strengthen instructionReplicable leadership practices that make EdTech both effective and sustainableJoin us for a fast, practical look at what successful and healthy EdTech integration really looks like in K–12.Hosts:David Jarboe and Laura GeringerSpeakersStacy Hawthorne, EdD, CETL CoSN Board ChairMelissa McCalla, Ed.D, CETL Pasadena ISDCary Fulgham Lubbock ISDMicah Miner, CETL Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3Theresa McSweeney Boise School DistrictKatie Harmon Westhill CSD, NYJohannah Arndt District 279 Osseo Area SchoolsSamantha Reid Jenks Public SchoolsNick Stoyas Elmhurst School District #205ResourcesPresentation slides2025 Blaschke Report & ToolkitPurposeful EdTech That Works — Reclaiming the EdTech Narrative Webinar Recording & PodcastWebinar Video Screens in Balance: Learning, AI, and Classroom Focus [CoSN member brief]Invitation to DK12i SummitCoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠