Presentation by the LJCDS Parents’ Association
Presented by Lorri Sulpizio Lotus Leadership Institute
When we were kids, what were we doing with all the time that our kids now spend on devices? Does it matter that our kids don’t have that experience?
At what age should a child get their own phone?
What impact, if any, does our use of electronic devices have on our kids?
Technology is an integral part of our lives (whether we want it to be or not)
Our meeting: For us to have conversation Share ideas, challenges, solutions Build sense of community around a very relevant topic Offer support to each other, share trials and triumphs
Many opinions on the impact of technology on children’s development
Opinions and perspective vary based on field– development, education, business, psychology
The views expressed here are compiled from a variety of sources and shouldn’t be viewed as the opinion of the PA—but rather are intended for conversation and thought.
Cell Phones ◦ MS- only allowed before and after school, exceptions require classroom approval ◦ US- Allowed before & after school, Milk Break or lunch (not free blocks). Exceptions with approval
Notebooks/PDA’s ◦ Limited use for academic purposes ◦ Must be registered with Tech department prior to use
Gaming◦ Gaming devices not allowed without approval
Great possibilities in education
Helpful to provide differentiation for students at different levels Devices are engaging and hold students’ attention across subject areas
Ability to provide more individualized learning May be a more efficient use of classroom time Bring people from all over the world together Help streamline note-taking, allowing students to be more interactive in class.
Noticed general decrease in fine/gross motor skills
Noticed general decrease in conversational and social skills
Concern that family time is falling by the wayside
Students are getting used to instant feedback, struggle with delayed gratification
Declining qualities such as persistence and ability to stay focused for long period of time
Losing value of face-to-face conversation
◦ Reading body language, tone of voice, social cues
Resorting to social networking and/or texting as way to confront peers and resolve conflict Students easily manipulating multiple devices at once, while attempting to do homework ◦ Studies show “multi-tasking” results in less attention and focus and inefficiency or undesirable results.
“Addictive” quality to devices that should be monitored in time and frequency Everything in moderation!
Preschool children spend three times longer in front of a TV or screen than they do reading. 4 out of 5 teens (17 million) carry a wireless device. 63% of teens go online every day. 75% of kids 12-17 have cell phones. Screen time is no longer just a cultural issue. Screen time has become a medical issue.
There certainly is a lot of benefit to the use of devices, and those should not be overlooked.
Intensified people’s need for instant gratification (increased sense of urgency)
Erased the boundary between personal life and professional life
Increased the time we spend in front of a screen (TV, phone, iPad)
Increased the flow and access of information
Allowed us to be interconnected across the globe
Worsened the divide between children and parents OR provided more ways to connect and monitor children.
Changed their sense of time
Changed the way they communicate
Changed their social relationships ◦ Spend less time in face-to-face interactions
Impacted their sense of self ◦ They can be a different person online ◦ Take risks, feel more free to speak, act
Lost opportunity for creativity, free thought and free play ◦ Less time “doing nothing”
Screens ◦ Obesity, violence, behavior issues, less time for play
Social Media / Texting ◦ Social filter--post things they would not say in person ◦ React instantly without thought to consequences ◦ Text through the night- sleep deprivation
Exposure ◦ Flow of information occurs very fast ◦ Content is difficult, if not impossible to control Today it’s very easy to find a picture of a naked person
Have electronic-free zones (dinner table) Parents unite: no texting after 11pm
Parents get involved in kids’ online experience
Have limits on screen time / phone time / game time (use a chart to track the time) Unite with other parents to avoid ◦ “I’m the only one who doesn’t have a phone.” ◦ “Everyone else gets to play video games whenever they want.”
Learn about parental controls, iPhone tracker, opt-in spyware
Help the kids know and follow the rules for phone use at school
What challenges do you face when managing the devices with your kids?
What do you feel is the biggest threat, or what is your biggest concern with a device-driven life?
What can we do as a community to manage our kids’ device-driven life in order to maximize benefits and minimize the risks?