Here is the paradox...there is no more motivated a force I know of than parents. We, as a tribe, care for our kids beyond words. And, yet, how often do we see parents speaking out for our children as a united front? We see student activism but where is the parent activism?
This is a moment in time when we can come together for a major cause. Last week we launched Away For The Day, an initiative to get parents to speak up and get involved in changing cell phone policies in middle schools so phones are put away and our students can learn and socialize more productively. We received more than 2,000 pledges of support—which was great but we need to let so many other parents know.
Can you help us grow the cause? If so, please go to Away For The Day and pledge (if you haven’t already), and forward this email to 5 friends asking them to do the same. **When people pledge they also will see all the free resources.
I am a big believer in guiding change based on solid research and this initiative is indeed based on data. I am reminded of the singer, Bono, whose organization, ONE, works to reduce global poverty. Bono calls himself a “Factivist.”
Here is one example of a parent activist who contacted us to share how the website is helping him make changes:
Tom Henriod, a father of four, in Salt Lake City, UT is leading the charge to get cell phones out of the schools in his district. “I have had meaningful correspondence with the principal and assistant principal and the materials on “Away for the Day” address well their concerns associated with the difficulty of enacting a policy, namely, clear messaging about the policy to parents, faculty, administration and students as well as clear policy examples and enforcement procedures.”
For this TTT, talk with your children about ways parents work to be change makers. Here are some questions to get you started.
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Here is the paradox...there is no more motivated a force I know of than parents. We, as a tribe, care for our kids beyond words. And, yet, how often do we see parents speaking out for our children as a united front? We see student activism but where is the parent activism?
This is a moment in time when we can come together for a major cause. Last week we launched Away For The Day, an initiative to get parents to speak up and get involved in changing cell phone policies in middle schools so phones are put away and our students can learn and socialize more productively. We received more than 2,000 pledges of support—which was great but we need to let so many other parents know.
Can you help us grow the cause? If so, please go to Away For The Day and pledge (if you haven’t already), and forward this email to 5 friends asking them to do the same. **When people pledge they also will see all the free resources.
I am a big believer in guiding change based on solid research and this initiative is indeed based on data. I am reminded of the singer, Bono, whose organization, ONE, works to reduce global poverty. Bono calls himself a “Factivist.”
Here is one example of a parent activist who contacted us to share how the website is helping him make changes:
Tom Henriod, a father of four, in Salt Lake City, UT is leading the charge to get cell phones out of the schools in his district. “I have had meaningful correspondence with the principal and assistant principal and the materials on “Away for the Day” address well their concerns associated with the difficulty of enacting a policy, namely, clear messaging about the policy to parents, faculty, administration and students as well as clear policy examples and enforcement procedures.”
For this TTT, talk with your children about ways parents work to be change makers. Here are some questions to get you started.
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Should Students Use Phones During School Lockdowns? This emotional and critical question is explored in depth, featuring insights from a superintendent, police officer, principal, and safety expert. Discover why they advocate for phone bans, real-world consequences of phone use during emergencies, and survey results that might surprise you.
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We launched the Away For The Day movement in 2017 because we could see back then the detrimental impact of smartphone use in schools, not just on academics but also on the emotional wellbeing and social development of youth. The fact is research shows that Away For The Day is the way to go. This week we introduce our significantly updated Away For The Day campaign website to help you support cellphone bans at your schools or your kids’ schools.
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Last week, USA Today ran an outstanding article titled: “Schools don’t want kids on cellphones. Is banning them the solution?” Our team launched Away For The Day in December 2017 to provide science and tools to help more schools create policies in which phones are not with students during the school day, and we are pleased the USA Today article mentions the campaign. The moment of change is truly here. Unlike anything we have seen in the past, the rate at which schools and full districts are adopting away-for-the-day policies is outstanding! Read today’s blog for some highlights from the USA Today article.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
