Social Media in the Upper Elementary



Dear Parents, 

We have had to spend a great deal of time today talking about incidents that occur off school grounds on student's laptops, tablets, and smartphones and we wanted to start an important conversation about social media use in children ages 9 and up.  With the continuing changes of technology, during a time that your child's brain is going through crucial development, it is important to be aware of the dangers of too much reliance on technology for social interactions.

The most important social interactions begin in the home and continue with family and friends outside the home.  Social media is not an adequate replacement for meaningful social activities that help build community, courtesy, and new connections that can last for life.  Research shows that screen time should be limited in the early years to make more room for concrete experiences that are a true preparation for life.  Scientists from Dr. Montessori to our more modern neurology researchers  all echo the importance of real-life situations, hands on and experiential learning, and group activities to engage the reasoning mind in lasting learning.

If you are a parent that allows your child unrestricted access to a device with few time guidelines or limitations, we encourage you to read one or more of the articles below.  We also encourage you to spend time creating real-world social situations with family and friends in the form of playdates, after school activities, family traditions, sports, and hobbies with other like-minded individuals.  If you you are looking for a specific resource in your family, or have questions or concerns, please feel free to come to us at any time.

Thanks so much!

Ms. Liza and Kathy



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