By Tim Singer-Towns, Assistant Principal, Hutchinson High School
Cell phones and social media have become a large part of the lives of our families and students over the last few decades. They allow us to connect and share our lives with those who mean the most to us. Apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram give us the ability to share whatever is on our minds at the touch of a button. While this technology improves communication, it can also create problems in educational settings.
One concern is the distraction caused by cell phones and social media in schools, harming students’ academic performance. Social media, in particular, has proven to be addictive and cause students to lose focus during class. To tackle this issue, Hutchinson Middle School does not allow cell phones to be in classrooms, and the High school requires them to be put away during classtime. If a phone is out when it is not supposed to be, it can and will be confiscated by staff.
Another consequence of social media is the increase in cyberbullying among students, which can seriously affect a student’s mental health. Hutchinson schools teach digital citizenship and have implemented anti-bullying programs emphasizing empathy and online safety. When concerns about online postings are brought up to staff, we work with all our resources including counselors, administration, and law enforcement to ensure that all students feel safe and comfortable in school.
It is the team of school and home that will make these efforts successful. Families play a crucial role in monitoring their children’s online activities. To encourage responsible phone use without being overly restrictive, families can follow these strategies:
- Establish Open Communication: Encourage children to share their experiences, concerns, and interests related to phone use, fostering trust and understanding.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish realistic and age-appropriate guidelines for phone usage, involving children in the process and considering factors like schoolwork, family time, and personal responsibilities.
- Model Responsible Behavior: Set an example by using phones responsibly and purposefully, avoiding constant phone-checking during family time, and engaging in offline activities.
- Encourage Face-to-Face Interactions: Plan activities that promote quality time and open conversations within the family, without the distractions of phones or screens.
- Designate Phone-Free Zones and Times: Create designated periods in the house, such as mealtime or before bedtime, where phones are not allowed. This promotes uninterrupted family interactions and healthier boundaries with technology.
- Teach Time Management Skills: Help children balance phone usage with other activities by prioritizing responsibilities like homework, chores, physical activities, and social interactions. Teach the importance of setting limits and taking breaks from screens.
- Encourage Hobbies and Offline Activities: Support children in pursuing offline hobbies, sports, arts, or other activities they enjoy, providing alternatives to excessive phone use and promoting a well-rounded lifestyle.
- Establish Rules for Appropriate Online Behavior: Talk with your child about the kinds of online behavior that are hurtful and unacceptable. Be sure they understand the damage that online gossip and cyberbullying cause their classmates. Establish consequences if they should ever engage in such behavior.
By implementing these strategies, families can work with the schools to promote responsible phone use while maintaining a supportive and balanced approach. It is important to strike a middle ground between setting guidelines and allowing children to develop autonomy and decision-making skills regarding phone usage.
