About this Event
URL to IRL 2026 has now sold out! Please join the waitlist if you are interested in attending and would like to be informed of any cancellations. For questions, contact [email protected].
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About URL to IRL
In an increasingly tech-focused world, what would it take for schools to be distraction-free learning spaces for students? URL to IRL is an annual event that brings youth, educators, policymakers, and parents together to explore ideas around phone-free schools, healthier technology habits, and more focused learning environments.
As part of the Dais's Heads Up initiative, URL to IRL will be a room filled with students, big ideas, and real conversations. From classrooms to policy rooms, this is where youth voices shape the next chapter of Canada’s school phone policies.
Through youth-led conversations, interactive experiences and activities, attendees will explore how schools and communities can support healthier relationships with technology, attention, learning and belonging.
About Heads Up
Heads Up is a Canada-wide campaign that encourages phone-free schools from bell to bell, helping students reclaim focus, strengthen learning, and foster meaningful in-person connection.
Why it Matters?
As part of the wider Heads Up initiative, URL to IRL aims to bring all the voices that contribute to the conversation around phone policies and healthy tech habits. This event highlights the experiences, perspectives, and questions that students, educators, parents, and policymakers have around developing balanced relationships with tech and identifying opportunities and alternatives to being online.
Who Should Attend?
- Youth, Students (high school, post-secondary)
- Parents
- Education Professionals and Researchers
- Policy makers
- Community leaders
Speaker Lineup:
Agenda
🕑: 08:30 AM
Registration Opens
Info: Breakfast available.
🕑: 09:15 AM
Opening Plenary
Host: Savanna Hamilton
Morning Keynote
Host: Dr. Bailey Parnell
More Living, Less Scrolling (Panel Discussion)
Host: Moderator: Meena Waseem
Info: A discussion on building healthy digital habits, making intentional choices about screen use, and finding practical ways to make more room for offline activities in and out of school. The conversation will explore how young people can turn screen time into real world action such as sport, movement, volunteering, and community.
Sponsored by Rogers
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Info: Choose from three concurrent breakout sessions designed for educators, policymakers, parents, and youth. Explore practical approaches to implementing phone restrictions in schools, learn more about the policy landscape and healthy tech relationships, or connect with peers through activities and discussions to bring back to your school community.
🕑: 12:15 PM
Lunch and Heads Up Youth Champions Poster Gallery
Info: Lunch to be provided.
Afternoon Keynote
Host: Andini Makosinski
Fireside Chat with Andini Makosinski and Chloe Kizito
Host: Andini Makosinski
Heads Youth Champions Spotlight
Info: The Dais’ Youth Champions are high students from across Canada who are stepping up to lead conversations on tech, mental health, and education. After months of learning and participation in the Heads Up Youth Champions program and launching school engagements in their communities, the Youth Champions will have the opportunity to speak to what they learned through the Youth Champions program and share highlights and insights from what they heard from their peers.
Closing Remarks
Host: Victoria Nolan
🕑: 03:00 PM
Event End
Event venue & nearby stays
MLSE LaunchPad, 259 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Canada
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