RECENTLY, I HEARD a morning radio personality pose this question to listeners: “Would you rather give up your smartphone or your little toe?” I was not surprised to hear most respondents offer up their little toes.

We have truly become dependent on our smartphones, mobile devices and personal computers. But what impact is this dependency having on children?

This question reminded me of a presentation by Richard Freed, author of Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age that was sponsored by our local PTA council. As a child and adolescent psychologist, Freed candidly described the impact of social media and video games on children. Several of his most compelling points deserve further discussion among parents and educators:

» The average time our youth commit to entertainment media is startling. Teens spend an average of nine hours per day and “tweens” (ages 8-12) spend an average of six hours daily. This does not include computer time related to in-school assignments or homework.

» Video games and social media sites apply techniques that draw users back repeatedly, ultimately leading to addiction for some. The rates of technology addiction range from 7 to 11 percent of teen and young adult gamers.

» A group of psychologists is questioning the ethics of other psychologists hired by video game producers and social media industries. They are raising critical questions about the use of behavioral psychology methods to manipulate game users, especially children.

Ill Effects
While the focus of Freed’s work is to help parents, the ramifications of the research he shares about the negative effects of social media, apps and game devices are significant. Just as many school districts are moving to one-to-one technology initiatives to personalize education, new questions are being raised, and they are causing anxiety among some of us.

How much time should students spend on a personal device? Do schools rely on technology too much? What is the school’s responsibility when it comes to digital behavior? Who should be teaching children about the dangers of social media and videogames — and beginning at what age? How do we address cyberbullying?

I have no easy answers for these are not issues that schools can solve alone. It will require the collective effort of educators, families, community groups and elected leaders.

In preparing students to be college- and career-ready, schools have a duty to teach how to effectively and safely use technology. We must help students analyze the quality of information they consume on the internet. And I believe we have to emphasize the importance of digital citizenship. Schools already teach students about nicotine and illicit drug addiction and decision making in health classes. Perhaps we need now to include the addictive behaviors associated with social media and gaming apps.

Parents play a critical role in establishing how and when children use devices for social or entertainment purposes. Schools can partner with parent and community organizations in helping build the awareness of parents about the perils of the digital age.

Joint Solutions
The research seems increasingly clear that our children are being negatively impacted by social media and video gaming. Elected leaders ought to determine what restrictions may be appropriate to protect our youth. It would be wonderful if the executives of companies that profit from social media and video gaming would join them in exploring genuine solutions.

Finally, educators, with other adults in young people’s lives, must assist children in understanding the importance of connecting with each other in real and meaningful ways that do not involve technology. Our children need our help navigating safely through this age.


THERESA ALBAN is superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools in Frederick, Md. Twitter: @FCPSMDSuper. This column is adapted from her blog, Off the Cuff with Dr. Theresa Alban.