Hi again,

More back-to-school stuff!

Right now, we have an opportunity to talk to schools about technology and insist that tech use is intentional and educational. So many times, technology is used because it's new and cool and fun, but that doesn't mean kids are learning more than the old-fashioned methods like pencil and paper. Actually, studies show that when we use pencil and paper, we can retain information better and are using more areas of the brain, so we should really think before assuming tech is better.

I've been hearing horror stories from parents who are trying to delay smartphones while their schools are assuming every family has financial means and values that support smartphones in 4th, 5th and 6th grade.

• a 6th grade teacher told her students to get out their phones and entertain themselves, while several students worked on a make-up assignment. What about the students that don't have phones? Why are we using precious class time for entertainment?
• a 2nd grader came home from school, excited about "free time" on school-issued devices and the non-educational sites he was able to access. This is a huge red flag! Schools should be whitelisting appropriate sites for young students, and not allowing them to access sites without educational value.
• a 5th grader feels left out at lunch because all her friends are on their phones and she doesn't have one. Best practice says kids need time away from tech and devices so they can communicate with each other organically.

Be sure to read the school handbook, policies and tech usage agreement with your child

Know your school's tech and phone policies! It's so easy at the beginning of the year to sign all those papers that come home from school, without reading every word. Take a few minutes and critically read your child's school handbook, policies and tech usage agreement.

Then ask your child if they know the school's policies. They need to know what they're agreeing to!

Tell your child's school, teachers, coaches, youth group leaders, etc - don't use social media to communicate with kids

Snapchat and Instagram posts and messages aren't the way schools, teachers or other adult leaders should be communicating with kids. Period.

• These platforms are not protecting kids and teens from algorithms and rabbit holes that lead them to content on eating disorders, extreme dieting, bullying, dangerous challenges and other harms
• Not every family wants their kids to have social media yet
• Putting official content on social media is sending kids to an addictive platform, one that's hard to put away
• Adults are sending the message that it's "normal" for schools/leaders to use social media this way

And if your child has a school assignment that involves posting a video on TikTok - we need to talk! That is not okay (but it wouldn't be the first time I've seen a teacher do it).

Good news at school - the number of phone-free schools are increasing

This year many schools are having students go phone-free at school as a school policy. Even in high schools! And for some schools, it's not just during class time but also during lunch.

We know the benefits - teachers are needing to police phone use less, students are less confused about what each teacher's policy is, students are less distracted at school and can learn better, students are talking to each other... all good stuff!

If you'd like to see a phone-free policy at your school, here's a letter you can send to your school to start the conversation. I'm happy to help - just reply to this email!

Happy three day weekend!

Lisa Honold is a cyber safety educator working to keep kids safe and healthy, online and offline. As founder and director of the Center for Online Safety, Lisa is a national public speaker on digital wellness, cyber safety, intentional screens and peaceful parenting.

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Recent appearances: KING5 News, KOAT News & The Action Network Live​

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