Kids and Smart Devices Series

Funded by a PTO grant and spearheaded by engaged Hayes parents, the Kids and Smart Devices series seeks to investigate, educate, and empower parents in managing a crucial health issue children face today.

Our school leaders led the way this September in enforcing an "Off and Away" policy for smart devices during school hours. What else can we, parents and staff, do together?

Past and upcoming events and initiatives in the "Kids and Smart Devices" series include:

• Roll-out of Hayes School's "Off and Away" policy for smartphones and smart watches (see below)
• A parents and staff book-club group discussion of Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation (see below)
• Frequently updated titles of age-appropriate books for children on social media, fake news, responsible use of devices put together by Ms. Anderson and a Hayes parent (see below)
• A Boston-area child psychologist lecture on "Managing Screen Time and Social Media Use for Children" hosted by the PTO for all Hayes parents and caregivers (see below for link to recording)
• Wait Until 8th pledge participation (see below)
• Small-group workshops to train parents how to discuss sexuality, safety, and social media risks with children, developed by Planned Parenthood and taught by a Hayes parent (and former staff member); coming in December

Managing Screen Time and Social Media Use for Children

A Zoom Conversation with Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, Ph.D.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation with Dr. Sperling on November 15th!

If you were unable to attend, would like a refresher, or want to share her presentation with family and friends,  the recording is available if you email contact@Hayespto.org.

Additional resources shared by Dr. Sperling:

Best free parental control apps for 2024: link here

Best parental control apps (with subscription): link here

Research the use of technology and social media on the developing mind and brain: The Winston Center at UNC-Chapel Hill

Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, Ph.D., co-founder and Co-Program Director of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital

Wait until 8th pledge

As of November 10, THREE Hayes grades have become active participants in (meaning more than 10 families have signed) the pledge!

Congratulations to Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 4th grade!!

Kids' books on social media and smart devices

Want to engage your child in the topics of fake news, phone do's and don'ts?

Looking for age-appropriate books to educate your kids about safe use of social media smart devices?

With thanks to Ms. Anderson, our school librarian, below are a few (parent-vetted!) suggestions! Email us if you know of and recommend others!

Book Discussion of The Anxious Generation

What a wonderful way to kick off this fall's series of conversations around "Kids and Smart Devices"!

So grateful for the many community members who came to discuss The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt's impactful new book,  at a gorgeous venue - Hummingbird Books on September 17th. The conversation was thoughtfully curated by Astrid Allen (5th grade parent), in small groups with suggested prompting questions*.

Attendees, including education leaders and parents of K-7 students, identified similar pressures caused by smartphones and smart watches in young people's lives. Messages from the book which resonated with all were the need to empower children in the real world - through free play, responsibilities, wild roaming - and roll back screens' omnipresence. Some parents shared that the book inspired them to give their children a flip phone. Others expressed excitement for the possibility of completing a "Wait Until 8th" campaign at Hayes School.

*If would like to explore the book but weren't able to join us, see here for Astrid's suggested questions.

This event was successful thanks to:

• The leadership of Astrid Allen and Erica O'Mahony  in spearheading the book club initiative
• The organizational assistance of Nathalie Roberts  and Theodora Konetsovska
• The gracious hospitality of Hummingbird Books at the Square in Chestnut Hill
• The generosity of the Hayes PTO and the Hanna-Renkes family

personal electronic device use in school

From Dr. Sevelius's Community Notes on September 13, 2024:

We have spoken with all of our students, but it is critical that we are all on the same page when it comes to personal electronic devices (PEDs) in school. Here is our current policy:

Roland Hayes School Family Handbook (2019-Present) (page 19)

Our policies regarding personal electronic devices are firm, well-messaged, and enforced, and thus children comply. We, as the school, seem to carry a fairly powerful weight in the minds of young people and most often the most gentle reminder ("Put your phone away, please.") garners immediate results (the phone vanishes).

That said, at 2:30 when the school day is over, the phones and smart watches magically reappear. On the playgrounds, in huddles of teens and pre-teens, and as children are walking side-by-side, the irresistible glow comes on and the common social currency amongst children can become what is on the device.

As a parent, I sympathize with you as to how best to create digital citizens, mange anxiety, and negotiate screen-time. It isn't easy. Our PTO is picking up the mantle to engage the community in ongoing conversations on how to navigate the digital world with your children. I hope you'll engage in the conversations and find them useful.

I must also state the following: there are times when digital conversations that happen outside of school hours negatively impact the academic and social experiences that happen during school hours. When staff learn of these negative impacts, we are beholden to investigate. As is typical, when we investigate behaviors that interfere with a student's opportunity to learn, we will reach out the families to discuss concerns, our next steps, and how to partner to ensure safety and comfort for all moving forward.

Pieces on instituting personal electronic devices bans in schools and managing cell phone use at home:

• We Need To Support School Bans On Phones (Even If Your Anxiety Won’t)

• How to implement a cellphone ban in schools

• Cell Phone Toolkit_Finalv3.pdf

• Social Media and Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov