First thoughts on the Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt

I recently read "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt, and I cannot recommend this book enough to every parent of young or adolescent children. Over the past 10 years, I have read several of his books and articles and even saw him speak at my college.

Over the years, I have been chatting with many of you about the difficulties of attempting to manage your children's social media on your own. I have also spoken with several of our incoming 6th-grade families who are facing these same challenges and are seeking support from one another and the school.

As we navigate the challenges of parenting in today's digital age, it is becoming increasingly clear that we need to work together as a community to support our children and one another. Parenting a middle schooler can be difficult, and doing so in the face of the growing influence of smartphones and social media makes it even more challenging. However, by partnering with one another and with the school, we can create a nurturing environment that empowers our children to thrive.

At Denver Christian Middle School, we believe in the power of a close-knit community where everyone knows and supports one another. We want to foster a sense of togetherness and group empowerment, where we can openly discuss the issues facing our children and work together to find solutions.

We do not allow smartphones or smartwatches during the school day to support this effort. Last year, we had "tech trays" where students turned in their phones and watches, but now we have locked smartphone and smartwatch lockers in each student's homeroom, where they will place their items as soon as they walk into the building. The middle school staff will strictly enforce this policy.

In "The Anxious Generation," Jonathan Haidt advocates for banning phones in schools. He argues that the shift of children's focus from the physical to the virtual world, facilitated by smartphones, has been detrimental to their mental health and development. Haidt believes that removing phones from schools could help mitigate these negative impacts and foster a healthier, more engaging learning environment​ (Wikipedia)​.

We encourage you to join us in this effort by considering the following suggestions:

1. No cell phones (or any other internet-connected devices) in your child's bedroom

2. Your child may not change the passwords on any phones, devices, or apps

3. You may scroll through your child's phone at any time

4. Encourage a screen-free and earbud-free vehicle environment

We also invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and encouragements with one another and the school. We believe that open communication is key to the success of this initiative.

Together, we can create a community that celebrates diversity, fosters acceptance and provides ample opportunities for our children to grow and lead. By intentionally approaching technology and social media, we can help our children develop into critical thinkers and image-bearers of Jesus Christ.

We look forward to partnering with you in this important work, and we also look forward to you partnering with one another. That is the only way this will work. Together, we can build a village that supports, nurtures, and empowers our children to reach their full potential.

Finally, please take the time to pray for one another as we navigate this amazing but challenging time in our student's lives.