Instead of just limiting screen use, we can encourage screen value. Rather than reacting out of fear or misinformation, parents and caregivers who take the time to understand Not No Tech References 1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/a-book-review-unlocked-the-real-science-of-screen-time-and-how-to-spend-it-better-by-dr-pete-etchells

The next time you consider a phone for your child, remember, it’s not a “dumb phone”, it’s a “minimalist blog/why-minimalist-phones-are-better-choices-for-pre-teens-and-younger-teens-right-tech-at-the-right-time

blog/why-minimalist-phones-are-better-choices-for-pre-teens-and-younger-teens-right-tech-at-the-right-time

Schools should implement clear policies regarding the use of technology during instructional time while At the same time, parents must be intentional about the devices they choose for their children, prioritizing blog/why-minimalist-phones-are-better-choices-for-pre-teens-and-younger-teens-right-tech-at-the-right-time

At the same time, social media has given youth a powerful platform to lead conversations and drive meaningful The conversation should shift from “how much time are kids spending online?” Consuming hours of mindless content is different from spending time creating something valuable.

In reading the book, we found at times that Dr. Also of interest, David Wallace-Wells, bestselling science writer and a columnist for The New York Times interview: " ...as part of the rollout of the Affordable Care Act, it was recommended for the first time home alone Babysitting a younger child for short windows of time Riding public transit independently articles/d41586-024-00902-2 8/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/a-book-review-unlocked-the-real-science-of-screen-time-and-how-to-spend-it-better-by-dr-pete-etchells

On January 9th when  TikTok went dark, sensational headlines began circulating online, claiming that youth across the United States flooded 911 call centres in a panic over a TikTok shutdown. Articles included inflammatory clickbait headline titles such as: “Youth Reportedly Calling 911 in Panic” “Ban Results in 911 Calls Surge as Panic Grips Teens and Children” “These Kids Need to Touch Grass: Internet Reacts as 911 Sees Spike in Calls Over TikTok Ban” “Stop Calling Us! Americans Flood 911 During TikTok Outage” These headlines painted a dramatic picture of young people as addicted, hysterical, and out of control. In fact, some are using these headlines as proof as to the “addictiveness” of TikTok. But, did this flood of 911 calls actually happen? The short answer: No! The headlines appear to stem from a recording shared online of a dispatch call from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department. In the recording, a dispatcher can be heard stating: “Welfare check on a caller, 10 street RP saying they love TikTok and is very incoherent saying he is not an American.” (1) This vague dispatch raises several questions for us: Was the “reporting person” (RP) an adult or a teen? Why were they incoherent? Was the person experiencing a mental health crisis and what was the actual cause, or were drugs or alcohol involved? Was the actual call made to 911 or the non-emergency number These are critical details that were missing from the recording that would actually add context as to the “Why” We also located one other media report, seemingly originating from the Ravalli County Sheriff's Office that was also posted on social media on January 18 (2) We could not prove the content or legitimacy of this call. After conducting an extensive online and media search, we found no other evidence of other police departments reporting an actual flood of 911 calls related to TikTok being down made by teens. Instead, we uncovered several public announcements from law enforcement advising citizens not to call 911 about TikTok outages. However, these announcements appear to have been preemptive measures rather than responses to actual calls. (3) Why issue preemptive announcements? It’s likely based on past experiences. For example, when Facebook went down in 2010, some law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada did receive calls from users asking for help. (4) Anticipating a similar reaction with TikTok, these agencies may have been proactive in addressing the potential issue. The single dispatch call from Anoka County, and the one from Ravalli County Sheriff's Office that we couldn’t confirm,  appears to have been enough to inspire a slew of sensationalized clickbait headlines that implied teens were collectively losing their minds over TikTok and calling 911 all across the U.S. However, this media narrative was not true, and unfairly labels young people as irrational and overly dependent on social media, feeding into stereotypes about youth and technology. As parents, it’s essential to approach stories like this with a critical eye. Sensational headlines often aim to generate clicks rather than present an accurate picture of events. The truth is far less dramatic: while there may have been isolated incidents, there is no evidence to suggest that youth flooded 911 centres in a panic over TikTok going dark - NONE! This incident highlights a broader societal tendency to blame young people for issues tied to technology. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we should focus on fostering healthy discussions with our kids about technology use, emotional resilience, and how to manage unexpected disruptions. The narrative of teens as addicted mindless tech zombies flooding 911 centres over TikTok is not only misleading but also harmful. It perpetuates unfair stereotypes and distracts from meaningful conversations about digital literacy and mental health. (5) As parents, let’s strive to separate fact from fiction and help our kids navigate the digital world with clarity and confidence. PS: It's been our experience that most inappropriate 911 calls are not initiated by teens, rather they are initiated by adults (6) - Just saying! Digital Food For Thought The White Hatter Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech References: 1/ https://x.com/nicksortor/status/1880847233803034650 2/ https://www.resetera.com/threads/january-19-2025-dexerto-emergency-services-receive-calls-from-distraught-tiktok-fans.1086660/ 3/ https://www.ktvu.com/news/tik-tok-users-emotional-roller-coaster-after-app-goes-dark-returns-online 4/ https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/tiktok-restores-service-in-u-s-after-trump-announces-executive-order-229756485603 5/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/does-technology-social-media-mental-health-issues-for-all-youth-we-need-to-reframe-the-question/ 6/ https://infotel.ca/newsitem/bcs-top-ten-absurd-and-inappropriate-911-calls-in-2024/it107638#:~:text=Jesse

The instinctual reaction is to ban the app, take or disable the device, or enforce stricter screen use

parents, such as parental control apps, monitoring software, phone control/ blocking products, and screen-use

numeracy skills are best developed through hands-on, focused learning without the distractions that screens Screens are an inevitable part of modern life, and education cannot be disconnected from the onlife world The mistake is not in using screens but in integrating them into learning without careful consideration balanced approach—one that acknowledges both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of excessive screen Tech References: 1/ https://www.government.se/articles/2024/02/government-investing-in-more-reading-time-and-less-screen-time

parents and caregivers, we often hear about the potential downsides of allowing technology into family time After the meal, talk about what you enjoyed, what you learned, and how you might adapt the recipe next time The next time you hear someone criticize technology’s role in family life, remember this - it’s not the

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery, and digital platforms allow young people to maintain friendships