I feel blessed to have you, this Screenagers community, to learn together how best to help our kids thrive in our complicated tech world.
One thing that is key in our work together is ensuring we include the voices of young people — something that, of course, is present in the Screenagers film trilogy.
Their input is crucial, and that is why I have 2 important questions for us to ask them as they transition back to school.
As you know, I am particularly focused on improving our kids' mental health, especially in the aftermath of COVID. One major lever is decreasing personal devices in schools.
Below are the two top questions — ( we are doing this as an actual anonymous survey of your kids (grades 1st through college) if they will participate and you give permission.
The #1 question
“If you were the chief decision maker of the school you will be at this year, what cellphone policy would you put in place for classroom time?”
The #2 question
“If you were the chief decision maker of the school you will be at this year, what cellphone policy would you put in place for break and lunchtime?”
Key Safety Point: We are not collecting emails or personal information! And if your child is under 13, please write in their answers so we comply with the law.
Because their input is so important, I have included a few other questions, and the best part is that once we get answers, I will share them with all of you, especially the youth.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ANONYMOUS SHORT SURVEY
And by all means, please forward this email to other families with children who may be willing to help us by filling this out.
Why this question?
Having your child explain their views will focus their attention on the topics as they begin their school journey.
It is wonderful that science shows us that these policies are an effective lever for improving the mental health of our children.
I spoke in the news this week about a school district in Arizona making great changes.
Meanwhile, UNESCO is talking about its concerns about phones.
This is such an important area for discussion. In 2017, our Screenagers team launched the Away For The Day campaign, and fortunately, there is a lot of movement happening around the country regarding schools and their cellphone policies. For instance, some schools have policies that require phones to be put in shoe pockets during class time in high schools or away in lockers in middle schools.
Thank you for asking your child to help with this survey and for forwarding this email to other youth who – with their parent’s permission – may also want to help.
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
I feel blessed to have you, this Screenagers community, to learn together how best to help our kids thrive in our complicated tech world.
One thing that is key in our work together is ensuring we include the voices of young people — something that, of course, is present in the Screenagers film trilogy.
Their input is crucial, and that is why I have 2 important questions for us to ask them as they transition back to school.
As you know, I am particularly focused on improving our kids' mental health, especially in the aftermath of COVID. One major lever is decreasing personal devices in schools.
Below are the two top questions — ( we are doing this as an actual anonymous survey of your kids (grades 1st through college) if they will participate and you give permission.
Last week, USA Today ran an outstanding article titled: “Schools don’t want kids on cellphones. Is banning them the solution?” Our team launched Away For The Day in December 2017 to provide science and tools to help more schools create policies in which phones are not with students during the school day, and we are pleased the USA Today article mentions the campaign. The moment of change is truly here. Unlike anything we have seen in the past, the rate at which schools and full districts are adopting away-for-the-day policies is outstanding! Read today’s blog for some highlights from the USA Today article.
READ MORE >
Did your kids participate in our anonymous online survey about cellphones in schools? I am thrilled to unveil some fascinating results of our study today. This study is truly unique — we know of no other study in which students have been asked their opinions about cellphone access in schools.
READ MORE >
Educators and parents unite worldwide to create new policies keeping cellphones away for the entire school day. Research consistently shows the benefits of phone-free classrooms, as students admit their devices hinder concentration and studying. The empowering "Away For The Day" campaign, launched in 2017, has enabled parents and educators to effectively bring these policies to schools. Discover how countries like the Netherlands, Finland, and France are embracing the initiative, along with similar efforts in Australia and England.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
