In this episode of Leading Voices in Education, we welcome Brandon Laur of The White Hatter, one of Canada's leading voices in digital literacy, online safety, and youth online behaviour.

As technology becomes an increasingly important part of children's lives, many parents and educators are left wondering how to help young people navigate the digital world safely while maintaining trust, independence, and healthy relationships. Brandon brings years of experience working directly with students, families, and schools to share practical, research-informed insights about online safety, social media, digital citizenship, and the realities young people face online today.

Together, we explore common misconceptions about youth and technology, the role of parents and educators in supporting digital wellbeing, online grooming and exploitation, social media use, monitoring versus trust, and how strong relationships remain the most important protective factor for young people.

Throughout the conversation, Brandon offers reassuring and actionable advice for families and educators, emphasizing that online safety is not about fear, it is about connection, communication, and helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, school leader, or caregiver, this episode provides valuable guidance for supporting children and youth with confidence, care, and compassion in the digital age.