We All Need to Work Together to End the Screen-Based Childhood Once and For All
If you haven’t yet dived into Jonathan Haidt’s eye-opening article in the Atlantic, "End the Phone-Based Childhood Now," take a moment to [read it here - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/teen-childhood-smartphone-use-mental-health-effects/677722/ ]. It's a teaser for his newly released book, “The AnxiousGeneration.” Haidt shines a light on the concerning effects of a screen-saturated childhood. One of the main issues Haidt addresses is that all children are on phones, making it seem like the only way to avoid social isolation is to be on a phone. I feel so sad for this generation and all they are missing out on as a result.
Here at Wild School, we're incredibly fortunate. Our parents understand the challenges of a screen-centric childhood and actively seek alternatives. We don’t allow phones at our school, and few students own them anyway. Furthermore, I know of no student who is on social media. But let's face it, staying nestled in our forest is only part of the solution. They won't be in the forest forever, and we need to prepare our children for these unfortunate realities, while coming together as a community to set some norms.
The Challenges of a Phone-Based Childhood:
Haidt's article paints a clear picture of the downsides of a childhood dominated by screens. From diminished social skills to decreased physical activity and heightened anxiety, the pitfalls are many. In our digital age, children are perpetually plugged in, often missing out on genuine face-to-face connections and the joys of outdoor exploration. Traditional schooling with overuse of computers is only compounding this issue. It was also fascinating to hear him draw parallels between big tobacco and digital media companies, both being complicit in creating addictive products for children.The TDSB shares this sentiment with their recent launch of a lawsuit against major social media companies. Next time you walk around town or out in public, take note of how glued to phones our youth are, especially teenagers.
Embracing Haidt's Wisdom:
Haidt offers two straightforward recommendations: hold off on phones until Grade 9 and steer clear of social media until age 16. These guidelines aim to shield our kids from the potential harms of early screen exposure. At Wild School, we wholeheartedly endorse these recommendations.Delaying access to smartphones and social media paves the way for kids to develop crucial life skills and maintain a balanced relationship with technology. However, for this to work, the majority need to be onboard.
The Magic of Unstructured Free Play:
Haidt also discusses the value of unstructured play, which is sorely lacking among youth. I often see this firsthand with friends' children visiting from the city who completely lack the ability to engage in free play with my own children. Unstructured free play is pure magic. It sparks creativity, hones problem-solving skills, and nurtures social development. It's a chance for kids to follow their curiosity, dive into imaginative play, and sharpen their critical thinking. Research backs this up, showing that unstructured playtime in nature boosts physical health, emotional well-being, and cognitive development.
We see this firsthand during Wild School’s Screen-Free May challenge, where our students pledge to detox from their screens completely for the month of May. It’s a time to reset their relationship with their devices and find other creative outlets. They often share these outlets with the school at morning circle, and it’s fascinating to hear what they come up with. Indeed, boredom is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child!
So why don’t we give this to our children? My thinking is that two issues are at play:
1. Fear – We are also a product of big media, which uses fear to keep its users engaged. Look at the weather network app for an example of this tactic. How many special weather statements do we see a month? And yet, statistically, we are living in the safest time in all of history. Pick up Haidt’s earlier book, "The Coddling of the American Mind", for more on this phenomenon.
2. Guilt – For some reason, we feel guilty when our children are bored. Perhaps this is a throwback to our own childhoods where our parents were often disengaged and absent. Maybe we are trying to make up for our own loneliness in adolescence. Perhaps it’s the downriver result of the triage we often needed when our children were younger, and the screen solved the problem of misbehaviour instantly.
Collectively, we need to overcome both factors. We need tostart parenting our children, teach them the pitfalls of screens and social media, while simultaneously capping their use of these things. Ignorance is no longer an excuse; the research is quite conclusive, and the long-term effects will permeate throughout our children’s adult lives.
Building a United Community:
On weekends, some of our Wild School students who ski at private ski clubs report that many of their friends spend their time, when they aren't skiing, on devices. They complain that they can't connect with them without also being on a device. How sad is that!? At Wild, we are fortunate that our community shares similar values, especially concerning screens.Implementing Haidt's recommendations needs to be a team effort. We need every parent, educator, and community member on board. If only a handful of families adopt these guidelines, we risk leaving some children feeling isolated. We need to overcome this guilt of feeling the need to solve every problem our children face and trying to program their lives to prevent boredom. Let the children be bored! So, let's come together, share our insights, and craft a collective approach that champions the well-being and growth of every child.
Introducing Wild School's Free Play Club:
Our rural setting, while beautiful, presents its own set of challenges, making it tricky to organize essential unstructured playdates a teach other's homes due to the distances involved. So, we've come up with a solution - we're beyond excited to unveil our latest offering: the Free PlayClub! This after-school gem will run alongside our other enriching clubs, providing a dedicated space for outdoor exploration, imaginative play, and genuine social connections. The Free Play Club promises a nurturing environment where kids can connect with nature, invent their own games, and forge meaningful friendships. This will run from Mondays to Thursdays, 3:30 to 4:30pm. More details will follow in our weekly email.
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In this digital era, it's high time we reevaluate our relationship with screens. Jonathan Haidt’s rallying cry to end the phone-based childhood resonates with Wild School's commitment to championing unstructured free play. By embracing Haidt's guidelines, rallying around initiatives like our Free Play Club, and fostering a united community approach, we can empower our children to embrace their innate curiosity, creativity, and social skills.Together, let's usher in an era where unstructured free play reigns supreme, nurturing resilient, well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in an ever-changing world!
Onwards!
Jeff
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Tips for Fostering Unstructured Play at Home:
1. Create a Play-Friendly Environment:
- Designate a space inyour home or backyard where children can freely explore, create, and play without constraints. This could be a playroom, a corner of the living room, oran outdoor play area stocked with simple toys, art supplies, and natural materials like sticks, leaves, and rocks.
2. Provide Open-Ended Toys and Materials:
- Choose toys and materials that encourage imagination and creativity. Items like building blocks, LEGO sets, art supplies, dress-up clothes, and simple household objects can inspire hours of imaginative play and exploration.
3. Limit Structured Activities and Scheduled Playtime:
- While organized sports and structured activities have their place, it's essential to balance them with unstructured free play. Allow your children time to play freely without adult direction or predetermined outcomes. Resist the urge to over schedule their days with organized activities.
4. Encourage Outdoor Exploration:
- Spending time outdoors offers endless opportunities for unstructured play. Encourage your children to explore nature, build forts, climb trees, dig in the dirt, or go on nature scavenger hunts. Nature provides a rich and stimulating environment for imaginative play and learning. Remember when we were kids and are parents always told us “Get Outside!”
5. Model Unstructured Play and Creativity:
- Children learn by example. Show your children the value of unstructured play by engaging in creative activities alongside them. Draw, paint, build, or play make-believe games together. Your active participation will encourage them to explore and express their creativity freely.
6. Limit Screen Time and Digital Devices:
- Set clear boundaries for screen time and encourage alternative activities that promote physical activity, social interaction, and imaginative play. Create a screen-free day or designated screen-free times during the day to encourage other forms of play and family bonding. If children have set times when they know they can use devices than they won’t bug you for them in other times.
7. Embrace Mess and Chaos:
- Unstructured play canbe messy, chaotic, and unpredictable—and that's okay! Allow your children the freedom to explore, experiment, and make a mess without worrying about keepingthings tidy. Embracing the mess can lead to richer, more meaningful play experiences.
8. Encourage Peer Interaction and Social Play:
- Foster opportunities for your children to engage in unstructured play with peers. Arrange play dates, encourage neighborhood play, or facilitate group activities where children can learn to cooperate, negotiate, and communicate with others through play.
9. Celebrate and Value Unstructured Play:
- Recognize and celebrate the benefits of unstructured play with your children. Share stories, memories, and experiences from your own childhood that highlight the joys and discoveries of free play. By valuing unstructured play, you'll encourage your children to prioritize and embrace it as an essential part of their daily lives.
10. Don’t Buy Into the Guilt:
- Be happy when your child complains of being bored. Allowing them to experience this emotion can spark creativity and problem-solving as they seek ways to overcome boredom on their own. Remember, it's not always up to you to find something for your children to do. Witnessing their ability to navigate and overcome boredom independently can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child.
By incorporating these tips into your daily routine and encouraging unstructured free play at home, you'll provide your children with valuable opportunities to develop essential skills, nurture their creativity, and foster a lifelong love of learning through play.
