rewards may increase engagement initially but ultimately makes non-screen activities seem more boring fact, in a recent Instagram reel Dr Haidt stated: “if you gamify a 1/4 of a child’s school day with screen He further pointed out that if there is a decline in engagement with repeated screen exposure, it may The assumption that screen-based learning inherently diminishes a child’s ability to focus on non-screen While concerns about excessive screen time and digital distraction in schools are valid, broad claims

lives, and 67% say these platforms make them feel like they have people who support them through tough times This digital presence can provide comfort during times when in-person support isn’t immediately available However, we acknowledge that there are also times when social media and technology can be weaponized

Whether it’s enforcing screen use limits, banning apps, or blocking websites, the instinct to protect child feel validated and ensures you understand their perspective. 4/ Be Patient Sometimes, kids take time Don’t rush the process. 5/ Share Your Own Experiences Be vulnerable and share times when you’ve faced When you take the time to listen, you’re showing them that their feelings matter and that you’re there

Screenshots and screen recordings have turned once-private conversations into shareable, duplicable files While we cannot turn back time, we can equip our children to navigate this new reality thoughtfully and The essence of youth conversations has remained constant over time, but the medium through which they

Copies of all text messages sent and received with their dates and times that parents can read. (at the time of this review still under development and not available yet) List of all contacts that number if needed, and The ability to see all photos and videos that were taken on the phone (at the time We are not going to share publicly how this can be done, however, it should be noted that with time, The phone does not offer a function that allows for time management.

***Update March 2025 *** The London School of Economics and Political Science released and evidence-based report called "Smartphone policies in schools - What does the evidence say?, that should be read by both parents and educators. (6) They also further released this statement on the issue (7) In this 2025 released study from Great Britain titled "School phone policies and their association with mental wellbeing, phone use, and social media use (SMART Schools): a cross-sectional observational study" (8) researchers found: "There is no evidence that restrictive school policies are associated with overall phone and social media use or better mental wellbeing in adolescents. The findings do not provide evidence to support the use of school policies that prohibit phone use during the school day in their current form, and indicate that these policies require further development." Across Canada and the United States, a significant movement is gaining traction among parents, special interest groups, politicians, and even some educators to ban cellphones and other personal electronic devices in schools  (1) . Online campaigns are now emerging, providing parents with blueprints and toolkits on how to advocate for these bans within their school communities.  (2)(3)(4) Many of these articles, blueprints, and toolkits, that we have read in full, offer a variety of resources supporting the position to ban phones and other electronic devices in schools. However, a notable gap exists – few, if any, of these resources include solid, evidence-based research that questions the effectiveness of such bans. Contrary to what some are saying, there is a large body of such research that most parents and caregivers are unaware of and that we will speak to in this blog article.  Consequently, parents and caregivers are often only exposed to one side of the story, leading them to support these “banning” movements without a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications. A noteworthy example is the PEW research, which found that banning cell phones or restricting age-appropriate access to social media could be detrimental, particularly for youth targeted for abuse both online and offline. These young individuals often use social media to seek help and support  (5) If the goal is to equip parents and caregivers with robust, evidence-based information to make informed decisions, then it is crucial to present them with all the best and current evidence available from both sides of the debate. Providing a balanced perspective allows for more thoughtful and informed decision-making regarding the presence of cellphones in schools. To support this goal, we have developed four key resources that offer an evidence-based counter narrative to that of just banning phones and personal electronic devices in schools: Phone Ban Research: This resource delves into the existing and very current research on the impact of cellphones in educational settings, presenting both the pros and cons. It aims to give parents a well-rounded understanding of how phones can affect learning, attention, and overall student well-being. Phone Policy Recommendations: Here, we offer guidelines and recommendations for creating effective phone policies for all levels of schools. These recommendations are based on evidence and best practices, ensuring that any policies put in place are thoughtful and conducive to a positive learning environment. In this article, “Tech, Social Media, & Teens: Addressing Five Concerns with Research-Based Insights,” we aim to continue addressing other popular parental concerns with evidence-based information and perspectives surrounding the use of cellphones and social media Beyond the Ban – Creating School Environments That Embrace Safe and Responsible Technology Use! Emotional, Psychological, Physical, and Social Effects of Technology and Social Media: This comprehensive resource examines the broader effects of technology and social media on children and adolescents. It highlights the emotional, psychological, physical, and social impacts, providing insights into how these factors play a role in the overall debate about phone bans in schools. As the movement to ban cellphones and personal electronic devices in schools heats up and gains momentum across Canada and the United States, it is crucial to recognize the one-sided nature of the current debate. Online campaigns and toolkits promoting these bans are often one-sided and lack robust, evidence-based research that questions the effectiveness of such measures. Many parents and caregivers are only exposed to one perspective, leading to uninformed support for these bans without a comprehensive understanding of their potential implications. To ensure that parents and caregivers are equipped with the information needed for thoughtful and informed decision-making, it is essential to present all the available evidence. By providing a balanced perspective, we can foster a more informed discussion about the presence of cellphones in schools. To support this goal, we have developed the above noted three key resources offering an evidence-based counter-narrative to the movement for banning phones in schools that should be considered in the decision-making process. By offering these resources, we aim to foster a more informed and balanced discussion among parents, caregivers, and schools enabling them to make decisions that are in the best interest of their children’s education and well-being. Here's a great academic review of the research specific to this topic by Dr Pete Etchells who specializes in the effect of technology on youth and teens Digital Food For Thought The White Hatter Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Technology vs No Technology! References: 1/ https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240624_Social-media-and-kids-Bennett_PAPER-v9-FINAL.pdf 2/ https://www.awayfortheday.org/pushbacks 3/ https://phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/administrator-toolkit/ 4/ https://protectyoungeyes.com/phonefreeschools-how-to-talk-to-your-school-district-about-removing-smartphones/ 5/ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/11/16/connection-creativity-and-drama-teen-life-on-social-media-in-2022/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email 6/ https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/125554/1/Smartphone_policies_in_schools_Rahali_et_al_2024_002_.pdf 7/ https://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/research/research-projects/eu-kids-online/bans 8/ https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00003-1/fulltext

The weekly broadcast involves students taking on various roles, from anchoring in front of the green screen

If you forget to do this during setup, click on "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Always Allow" > scroll Tap the grey “Brick” box on your screen at which time the message “Ready to Scan” will pop up. icon in the top left of screen at which time you will see a window pop up at the bottom of your screen Time Passcode Tap “Settings App” Scroll down and tap “Screen Time” Scroll down and tap the “Lock Screen Time Settings” Type in your passcode and then re-enter your passcode a second time  “Screen Time Passcode

But when every shift is immediately blamed on "screens" or "social media," we lose the ability to tell Instead of defaulting to panic every time a new app, platform, or technological trend emerges, parents What has made the difference, time and again, is the choice to meet change with understanding, resilience

Sleepovers Should Be a Break from Screens In a world saturated with technology, sleepovers offer an excellent opportunity for kids to unplug and engage in creative, screen-free activities like board games, storytelling Once devices are out of the picture, it’s essential to provide engaging, screen-free activities to keep Take the time to educate both the kids and their parents about the risks associated with unsupervised Sleepovers should be a time for children to laugh, bond, and grow together and not a setting for unmonitored

In this case, the hypothesis being promoted is that violence viewed on screens leads to violent behaviour

learn, express, and even struggle online, we track how digital spaces are shaping their lives, in real time You’ve learned that not all screen time is equal, that social media isn’t the enemy, and that oversimplified Because in a time when so many are shouting from the rooftops, the calm, informed, and compassionate That can feel lonely at times, but it’s also a place of incredible power, influence, and impact.