Dear Parents,
This week, the Upper Elementary teaching team, members of our parent community, and I attended the Princeton CommonGround viewing of Screenagers, the Elementary Years. The movie was insightful and sought to highlight the impact social media is having on our children.
As we continue our journey to creating a healthy, focused, and nurturing learning environment for your children, we are increasingly aware of the influence that technology — especially smartphones, social media, and video games — has on young students’ development. The viewing shared insights on the impact of these digital tools, and encouraged strategies to help safeguard your children’s well-being, including support for the “Wait Until 8th“ initiative.
Studies have shown that excessive smartphone use can affect children’s attention spans, social skills, and emotional health. The lure of social media platforms, in particular, exposes young minds to content beyond their maturity level, contributing to anxiety, negative self-image, and even depression. Video games, too, can overstimulate the brain, making it challenging for children to maintain focus in the classroom and daily activities. These influences are especially concerning as children in grades 1-6 are in critical developmental stages, where nurturing empathy, creativity, and real-life social interaction is paramount.
At Princeton Montessori School, smartphones and personal wearable devices with internet capabilities, i.e., Applewatches, are not permitted. As we respect that some students do have phones and may need them for after-school activities, the teacher collects phones and wearables at the start of each day and hands them back at the end of each day. Smartphone use is not permitted until students leave school.
Our recommendation is to delay the introduction of smartphones and social media until at least eighth grade, which aligns with the “Wait Until 8th” initiative. This movement encourages families to postpone giving children smartphones until they are better equipped to manage digital responsibilities and social pressures. By collectively waiting, we can provide children with more time to build interpersonal skills, discover interests, and enjoy the simplicity of childhood without the pressures of a digital persona.
Here are a few steps we recommend for families:
- Delay Smartphone Use: Consider waiting until eighth grade to introduce a smartphone to your child. If a device is necessary for communication, a basic phone without internet can be an alternative.
- Limit Video Game and Social Media Exposure: Set boundaries around screen time, and encourage outdoor play, hobbies, and family activities instead.
- Model Healthy Technology Use: Children learn by example, so practicing mindful use of technology as a family can reinforce boundaries.
- Open Conversations: Maintain an open dialogue with your child about the influence of technology and the internet. Help them understand that setting boundaries is essential for their well-being.
Dr. Berness
To learn more about the effects of social media on children’s development, please mark your calendars for an in-person event on Monday, November 18, 7:00-8:00 PM here at PMonts. All parents are invited to attend this informative workshop, “The Hows and Whys of the Impact of Technology on Children’s Healthy Development,” hosted by Dr. Laura Berness, a NJ Licensed Psychologist and the founder of Stepping Stones Psychological Services of Princeton.
RSVP for your spot to attend via ParentSquare HERE
Dr. Berness will address questions such as:
- How do I know if my child’s development is being affected by technology?
- Why do some kids seem to get more easily addicted to technology than others?
- How is technology affecting our family?
- Why don’t kids understand the responsibilities and consequences that come with technology?
- How can I nurture all of my child’s development in the age of technology?
Thank you for considering these recommendations and for your commitment to your child’s health and happiness. I am confident that as a community, we can support each other and our children in navigating the technological world in which we now live. Together, we can ensure that our students have the space to thrive and grow up feeling confident, secure, and able to make sound and reasonable decisions about technology use.
Warm regards,
Andrea O’Brian
