Beyond the Screen: IRL Tech Talk continues to make waves as a vital conversation platform bridging the gap between technology’s digital reach and meaningful, in-real-life connection. In a season marked by relentless digital acceleration and growing warnings from health experts about the downsides of excessive screen time, Beyond the Screen zeroes in on how technology intersects with daily life, community, and wellbeing, offering listeners practical ideas and inspiration for making the most of tech while avoiding its pitfalls.

Recent conversations in the IRL Tech Talk series have spotlighted a fresh surge of interest in intentional, screen-free activities. This October, Pacific Health Group released findings emphasizing that excess device use chips away at communication skills, emotional health, and family cohesion. To counterbalance, the American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for boundaries around screen time, encouraging families to carve out tech-free windows for real connection. Beyond the Screen brings this guidance to life, surfacing real-world tips like creating indoor forts, playing “old-school” board games, and sharing analog hobbies, all of which support emotional growth and open communication. Listeners have shared that these tactics spark lasting connections and foster healthy development, especially for kids navigating an always-on world.

The IRL Tech Talk community has also spotlighted how technology, when used with intention, can be a vehicle for connection—not just a distraction. Recent episodes have brought on leaders from the climate tech sector and New York City’s urban science community, who describe leveraging new digital tools for public good. For example, in September, NYU’s Center for Urban Science + Progress spotlighted how AI and satellite mapping are being used to track air pollution and coordinate climate response efforts in Ghana, showing technology’s potential to connect global communities and address urgent challenges. Meanwhile, at Drew University’s Courageous Community Building summit this month, the conversation considered tech’s dual-edged role in supporting both conflict and connection. Facilitators underscored the importance of humility, curiosity, and presence—offline qualities that technology platforms can either enhance or erode, depending on our choices.

From live events at urban innovation hubs to grassroots family gatherings where phones are stashed away, listeners are hearing a clear message: it’s not the tech, but how we use it, that shapes our lives and relationships. Whether finding new STEM opportunities for kids in Boston, joining events on climate resilience in New York, or simply setting aside devices for a shared meal, Beyond the Screen: IRL Tech Talk champions the small changes that make a big impact. The series has quickly become a touchstone for those seeking to build genuine connection while thriving in a world that rarely powers down.

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