A rapid rollout of integrated AI into technology we use everyday brings with it new considerations for our tech policies at home. At this year's Heights Parents Conference on "AI and Our Sons: Optimism in Uncharted Waters," author and public policy researcher Clare Morell shared the latest news and research to inform our digital decisions at home.

She points out that, increasingly, the vision we as parents have for our children is in direct competition with the vision big tech has for them. But an active and optimistic posture can help us guide our families toward a more humane way of life.

00:04:18 The lay of the digital land
00:08:38 Neuroscience of screens
00:18:56 The myth of parental controls
00:23:22 AI enters the chat
00:32:40 Maturity required to operate
00:35:09 Forming our children: parents and tech companies in competition
00:37:48 Digital detox for your family
00:41:29 A humane way of life: F.E.A.S.T.
00:43:59 Educating children on the harms
00:46:32 Adopting smartphone alternatives
00:48:11 Screen rules and accountability at home
00:50:58 Trading screens for responsibility
00:53:06 Reclaiming human flourishing

The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones by Clare Morell

The Tech Exit Supplementary Resources by Clare Morell

Preserving Our Humanity, Clare Morell's Substack

Meta's 'Digital Companions' Will Talk Sex with Users—Even Children, WSJ, April 26, 2025

Meta's AI Rules Let Bots Hold 'Sensual' Chats with Children, Reuters, August 14, 2025

AI Tutors for Kids Gave Fentanyl Recipes and Dangerous Diet Advice, Forbes, May 12, 2025

Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt in Essay Writing, MIT Media Lab, June 10, 2025

Sexting with Gemini, The Atlantic, July 14, 2025

The Social Dilemma, ages 12+, docudrama explaining tech company motivations, 2020

The Tech Exit: How Smartphones Undermine Our Parenting—and How to Reverse Course featuring Clare Morell

Saving civilization well may begin with eye contact, a tucked shirt, a sincere apology, or a held door. For the dispositions we have toward the little things truly train our sense of human dignity.

In his new book, The Apostolate of Courtesy, middle school Latin and language arts teacher Rob Greving follows in the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales. His book offers a defense of civility for the sake of the soul, followed by a practical guide to many of life's social situations. From table manners to small talk to handling interruptions, our manner affects the temper of the world. And "when I have courtesy," Mr. Greving writes, "I am not lowering myself but raising myself to the dignity of Christ."

2:10 Mr. Greving's influences

5:46 Courtesy and civilization

10:53 The medium of apologetics: us!

13:56 St. Francis de Sales: the gentleman saint

19:09 Manners at home

26:05 Handling interruptions well

31:24 Parents and teachers as the example

39:28 The art of apology

42:37 Courtesy in the classroom

The Apostolate of Courtesy: How to Save Souls and Change the World through the Power of Manners by Robert Greving

Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C. S. Lewis

Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior by George Washington

Manners: The Art of Happiness by Robert Greving

On Manners: The "ABCs" of Virtue featuring Colin Gleason

Enjoying Our Children and Why It's Important featuring Alvaro de Vicente

Parents' Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026)

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)

How have we allowed such a daring story as the American founding to become so flat? A history lesson so simple, tidy, and inevitable that it can be covered in one day's class?

Dr. Matthew Spalding, dean of Hillsdale's Van Andel Graduate School of Government, wants to revive the living story of the American founding—and the Declaration of Independence, in particular. Calling it our nation's "epic poem," he sees in this document as a layered poetic, philosophical, and practical work of the American Mind. This week on HeightsCast, Dr. Spalding invites educators (and everyday citizens) to understand our nation's founding as so much more than just "an Enlightenment experiment."

00:03:04 "The American Mind" in 1776
00:08:36 A better definition of patriotism
00:10:57 Declaration of Independence: our epic poem
00:14:43 How and why we teach history
00:16:36 Founding influences: more than the Enlightenment
00:21:46 The American synthesis
00:26:40 "Pursuit of happiness" in context
00:29:22 Why the founding narrative is mistold
00:38:06 New surprises in old studies
00:41:32 Finding common ground today

Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, Hillsdale College

The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence by Matthew Spalding

We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future by Matthew Spalding

The Founders' Almanac: A Practical Guide to the Notable Events, Greatest Leaders, and Most Eloquent Words of the American Founding by Matthew Spalding

On the Importance of History, Part I featuring Dr. Matthew Spalding

Why Arguments Make History by Mark Grannis

Keeping the Story in History by Mark Grannis

Parents' Conference at The Heights School (April 25, 2026)

Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 22-26, 2026)