One thing I would like to take the time in this post to discuss with you is our students' use of technology. As with any break, we know students spend a lot of time on their phones. This is typical behavior. With the abundance of time out of school (we noticed the same trend with distance learning/ COVID), students are drawn to the phone more so than usual. This isn't about parent shame, I'm guilty as a parent too. My kids had three weeks off too. Now, I love them, but that is a LOT of time to spend together. Especially when the weather isn't favorable and you cannot go outside. It is only natural that our kiddos use their phones for long hours of the day.
Now, where this becomes a concern, is the type of content they are exposing themselves to. Content that we, as parents, have not vetted and are not supervising. And, despite our parental controls and monitoring, they are exposing themselves to adult content. Already this week, we are seeing an increase in unfavorable behaviors involving technology and social media. Now, the hope is that as they immerse themselves back in school and reconnect with their friends in real time, this will diminish. But, it is important that we come together to be more vigilant about how much of the phone/social media students are consuming and what they are doing when on their phones.
Now, I completely understand that we cannot be everywhere, all of the time. And, many of our students are making good choices with their time and online presence. But, even good kids will mess up. Even good kids could use a gentle reminder. I believe it is not an invasion of privacy to go through your kids' phones. You pay for them, you have every right to monitor their usage. Especially in the name of keeping them safe. Sometimes, loving our kids means that we have to protect them from themselves and the world they are not ready for.
Now, this message isn't meant to be about preaching online safety and parenting. And, I'm sorry if it came across that way. I know junior high is a time when students try out new habits and behaviors. Which is why it is more important than ever that we come together to love and support them. All kids are going to make mistakes. This is a key part of growing up. I'm sure you did plenty and I know that I have. The goal is not to prevent kids from ever making mistakes. Those mistakes are necessary for growth. However, the world is very different than the one you and I grew up in. Our job, as parents and educators, is to prevent them from making mistakes they cannot come back from. And, often times, those mistakes happen through their phones and social media.
The increase in negative behaviors involving the cellphone and social media since the pandemic is what inspired our phone free policy on campus. Our hope is that when they are in the building, engaging in deep learning, and connecting with peers, they are doing so free from their phones. Now, I know this isn't a perfect system, but my hope is that Magnolia is one place where students can feel seen and safe.
As always, thank you for your partnership and stay vigilant out there families.