Our kids are the future of the community. We invest not only in them, but in their children and the generations to come. It is incumbent on us to be the best parents we can be, and I see many in our community take this challenge seriously. This month let’s look at a tricky parenting topic – technology for our kids. When and how should technology be allowed, and when should it be restricted?
Most parents recognize that technology is bad for our brains – especially for underdeveloped ones. So, maybe we should cut it out completely. Unfortunately, for a multitude of reasons, this option seems untenable. Technology has become part of our lives now, like it or not. Clearly, it’s been extremely useful for classrooms and learning in general, especially during Covid. It is not practical to avoid teaching our youth how to interact with technology because in the real world, it’s practically everywhere. Especially AI can be a game changer in almost all areas of business and even for home economics.
But, the risks are high. One concern is that if we now require technology for learning then how do we keep our youth safe from the dangers associated with certain types of technology? Also, do we hold the schools responsible for making and enforcing boundaries around technology or is it primarily a parent’s job? I posed these questions to my Instagram followers. Here are their responses.
Community Member #1
As a parent of teenagers and younger children, the topic of technology in our community schools is very concerning. After COVID, families were suddenly thrust into a world of technology far beyond what most of us had previously experienced, and it quickly became clear that many of these changes were not benefiting our kids.
It was refreshing to see schools and the community begin to take initiative together. However, the conversation seems to have stalled. While many schools have implemented different rules and regulations regarding technology, these steps, although positive, are only a starting point.
For example, one school has asked parents to sign a contract stating that their family agrees not to give their child a smartphone until eighth grade. Another school is actively working to remove smartphones from the school building entirely. Meanwhile, other schools simply avoid acknowledging that smartphones exist at all. The reality, however, is that the phones are still there.
Children whose schools prohibit smartphones often still have them. They either leave them at home or hide them in their bags at school. When kids feel they must hide their phones to avoid consequences, it unintentionally teaches them that being dishonest is the way to navigate the rules. This is not a lesson any of us want to reinforce.
Schools may threaten consequences if phones are discovered, but punishment alone does not address the larger issue: children are not being taught how to use technology responsibly or safely.
Many parents also feel unequipped to handle this challenge. They may not fully understand how to introduce technology to their children in a safe and developmentally appropriate way. Some schools have begun pilot programs that teach students about online safety, including topics like stranger danger and the risks associated with technology. These are important steps.
However, as a community we need to go further. Instead of relying solely on rules or restrictions, we should focus on providing families with the tools and knowledge needed to introduce technology in a thoughtful, gradual, and responsible way.
Community Member #2
Our school is very vocal when it comes to technology. However, it has to start at home as a partnership with the parents. Unfortunately, I have personally had an issue with my child and group texting. As the bullying went on, many parents were not monitoring their children on their devices. I approached the school and they said they “could not parent the children.” While I agree with this, I also see it as a much larger issue. Technology and our children are quickly becoming extremely uncontrollable. If parents do not monitor their kids’ use of, technology, it will (and already does) cause a lot of harm.
Community Member #3
Some schools even have a large screen in kindergarten classrooms – which I find crazy! Screens are in every single grade going forward. Some kids are wearing Apple watches to school and already have phones – and now they’re getting computer time in school at such a young age. I honestly think it’s just too much screen time. Shouldn’t school provide a break from screens?
Community Member #4
My kids are young now so I’ll have to cross this bridge when I get there. But I have a plan. I ‘m going to have a large computer desktop in the family room for homework. If the school requires laptops – no problem, but laptops stay in backpacks and will be for school only – not for home use. My kids will likely have phones because that is the way of the world. However, I won’t allow social media or WhatsApp- Group chats of any kind. They’re going to have to lift the phone to their ears and make some good old fashioned phone calls to connect with friends. I feel that’s the safest way. The other side of the coin is if you don’t expose them enough when they are younger, they can get really hooked on technology when they’re old enough to self-govern. I’m aiming for controlled exposure, kind of like candy, which we enjoy in moderation.
Community Member #5
I’m very pleased that my school has multiple meetings a year about having technology filters on all devices in the home. Also, they’re not allowed to have smartphones until a certain age. I feel like my school is on top of it and I’m grateful for that!
Community Member #6
I know one school that requires parents to pledge no smartphones until 8th grade. I wish more schools promoted this. At the end of the day, parents need to make rules for their own households and not just rely on the schools’ judgment. If parents were to band together that would be very helpful and empowering. That way, students wouldn’t feel left out, as their parents would be advocating for them. I think a lot of classroom management issues would be resolved if we banded together as a community to limit access to media that is too mature and anxiety inducing. Maybe some brave parents can take the initiative and suggest it to fellow parents who have kids in their kids’ grades.
Community Member #7
I have a high schooler – no restrictions (besides the obvious no phones in class rule). I don’t like it, but these kids grew up this way and aren’t as comfortable with textbooks as millennials were. They juggle it well and have less to carry around. They have access to everything when they need it. They never “forgot what they need in school.”
Community Member #8
As a parent, I wish kids would be taught safe ways to use technology instead of “tech is evil don’t touch it.” Let’s face it, the kids are going to be using it. We might as well teach them how to use it responsibly and safely. As an elementary school staffer (I work in a school office), those ChatGPT essays and assignments that kids hand in are obviously plagiarized. I definitely have not seen any upsides to it at all. I also hear a lot of the drama and fights that are happening on Snapchat, texting, etc.
Community Member #9
As a mom, I hate that summer homework is on a computer! What happened to getting a workbook sent home and the students actually have to write and show their work?
There’s something about hand written homework away from a screen that is simply superior. And if I leave them alone to do the work while I go shower or make dinner they click away and end up on YouTube or the like. It’s a gateway for them and I don’t see the pros outweighing the cons.
I think that as a community we recognize that both our schools and parents are making efforts to navigate the new technology our kids are exposed to. This is an important issue that needs constant attention and effort. We are dealing with a new issue and we have to realize that it’s going to take time and concerted effort to create regulatory systems that actually work. I am hopeful, because as a community, we have strong values and we have faith in our leaders to guide us. Bezrat Hashem we will ultimately come up with workable solutions to address the new technology issues. Honestly, I’m praying we won’t have to because Mashiach will come soon and abolish the evils amongst us. But until then, it’s incumbent on parents and schools to stay vigilant to protect the generations to come.
Signing off until next time,
Frieda Schweky!Frieda is an event and portrait photographer. Check Frieda out on Instagram @friedaschwekyphoto For photography inquiries or article topic suggestions email her friedaschweky@gmail.com.