CyberSafely.ai recently launched its new Learn-at-Lunch Zoom meetings, held on the last Wednesday of each month. Last month, Phil Callaghan—an educator with over 40 years of experience—spoke on “The State of Our Schools: One Teacher’s Perspective.” He discussed how physical, psychological, and emotional factors affect children’s health, as well as the root causes.
The State of Our Schools
Phil’s talk drew on his decades of teaching and administrative work. He sees more young people facing serious health and mental challenges than ever before. He believes parents, teachers, and communities must collaborate to guide children through these tough issues.
A Personal Education Journey
- Early Career
In the mid-1980s, Phil started teaching and soon became a head baseball coach. Though he once made poor choices with drugs and alcohol, he wanted his players to make healthier decisions. Learning about the effects of early substance use changed his life. - Program Success
He implemented a program to guide students away from drugs and alcohol. It found strong success and spread throughout the school. Later, Phil moved into administration to help students at a broader level.
Helping At-Risk Students
Phil brought similar programs to new schools. He also launched an “Academic Service and Character” initiative for at-risk students. At the same time, he started the Mom Foundation to assist the homeless, in memory of his mother. Volunteering with homeless communities helped students learn empathy and find purpose.
Youth at Greater Risk Today
Phil notes two major indicators of rising problems:
- Increased Drug Use
More teens experiment with substances, often leading to dependence and addiction. - Mounting Depression
Mental health struggles, sometimes leading to suicidal ideation, have soared among young people.
The Smartphone Factor
A behavior specialist told Phil that smartphone overuse significantly harms students. At first, Phil resisted this idea. Later, he witnessed the negative impact on high school students and realized that devices can create serious emotional and psychological effects.
Real-Life Stories
- Sextortion and Suicide
A local teen suffered online exploitation, contributing to suicidal behavior. - Pandemic and Pornography
Another student became addicted to porn during lockdown. He felt too ashamed to tell anyone until Phil intervened.
A Village Approach
Phil believes schools and parents can form a strong partnership. He sees CyberSafely as a tool that can bring everyone together. With social media and smartphones posing serious threats, it takes a united effort to create a healthier environment for youth.
Learn-at-Lunch Video Archive
If you want to view the entire presentation, please visit our
Learn-at-Lunch Video Archive to watch this and past meetings. If you’d like to join the conversation, register for our next meeting, and share it with friends and family.