Away For The Day

The top 2 questions to ask your child about back to school

Delaney Ruston, MD
August 15, 2023
Teen girl in class at desk looking at her cellphone

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. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANONYMOUS SHORT SURVEY 

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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. 

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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. 

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Away For The Day

The top 2 questions to ask your child about back to school

Delaney Ruston, MD
August 15, 2023
Teen girl in class at desk looking at her cellphone

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. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANONYMOUS SHORT SURVEY 

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