This commentary is by Joe Resteghini. He is principal of Champlain Elementary School in Burlington.
We have all heard and repeated the cliches about the internet being the new Wild West, and that kids are always one step ahead of the adults in terms of navigating safety procedures that we put in place. We have heard the allegations that foreign nations are influencing our collective brains through social media. It is all quite frightening. As a father of teens, I also know it feels nearly impossible to combat against once the beast has been let out of the cage.
Phones, access to information, and the internet are aspects of our culture that connect us, and here lies the nefarious problem. When my family gave our son (age 13) a phone so that we could make sure he was safely moving from school to sports practices, it was with innocent intentions. Having a phone is a measure to keep us connected, which is true. It also has opened up a world where danger lurks seemingly around every swipe and click.
As a school principal, I know schools are implementing policies and procedures to create phone-free classrooms and schools. However, even with these safety measures we still see students navigating ways to get phones and smart watches out to recess, on buses and at lunch. Though students are often engaging with these devices with innocent intentions, the fact is that these devices connect us to our happy endorphins. This endorphin high is too tempting for the 6, 7 or 8-year-old brain to combat. The draw to “just checking” is too strong and we are swimming against the tide in just confiscating them for the day.
One can argue the brain science, or the long-term effects, or the need to have a device to stay in contact. One cannot argue about the level of distraction phones create.
Australia, recognizing the level of harm that social media is doing to children, has created legislation that will ban people under 16 from having access to social media. The U.K. is also considering legislation with the same “under 16” restrictions.
At home in the U.S., where we are less likely to take such an aggressive approach, there are ways that communities can band together to slow the sense of urgency to have a phone and access to social media. At my school, we recently held a town-hall-style meeting to identify resources and discuss ways to help. The trick is taking the next step and moving forward with action. Wait Until 8th is creating a “pledge” for families and communities to rally around, hoping that herd immunity will make a difference.
More than anything, it is important to remember that our kids are growing up faster now than ever before because of the access they have to videos and images that we would/should deem developmentally inappropriate. Deciding what family values are most important should remain the decision of families. The larger community though, has a responsibility to make sure that families are informed and fully prepared to make decisions that have lifelong implications. Unless we are willing to adjust the availability of these images, or even be more creative than the safety procedures currently in place, the challenge will only grow.
There is work in progress. Vermont bill S.21, introduced earlier this month, would “prohibit the use of cell phones and personal electronic devices during the school day,” stating that this would promote “focus, improved mental health, and increased social cohesion.”
Smart devices are an addiction. Say it out loud: nomophobia. It may sound funny, but it is a real thing. So there’s that. Sitting there on the counter in sleep mode, that device may seem innocent enough, a convenience even, but once you hand it to a kid you are truly waking a sleeping giant.
And with knowledge of all of this, as I write these words from my kitchen table, my children see that I have two phones and two computers working at the same time. It’s a great reminder that kids are watching and modeling the behaviors we are engaged in, even if our intentions are innocent or good. If we want to keep the sleeping giant asleep, we also need to be better about managing our own usage, especially when around our youngest learners. With that in mind, it’s time to log off.
