ParentData with Emily Oster cover image

ParentData with Emily Oster

(Part One) Kids, Screens, and Schools: How worried should we be?

Aug 15, 2024
Jessica Grose, a New York Times reporter focusing on education and parenting, dives deep into the role of screens in children's lives. She shares insights from her recent survey on kids' screen usage, sparking a discussion about the balance between digital tools and classroom distractions. The conversation touches on concerns about attention spans and social skills affected by technology. Grose emphasizes the importance of preparing educators for effective tech integration, exploring the need for collaborative solutions with parents for better outcomes.
39:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The increasing prevalence of screens in school environments necessitates careful consideration of their impact on students' learning and mental health.
  • Parents and educators must collaborate to ensure technology is used thoughtfully, promoting responsible digital citizenship while minimizing distractions.

Deep dives

Impact of Technology on Teenagers

Research indicates that the average teenager checks their phone every 15 minutes, leading to significant distractions that extend beyond just the immediate interruption. Concerns surround the potential negative effects of these distractions on mental health, sleep patterns, and academic performance. Parents face the dilemma of balancing the necessity of technology for learning with the dangers it presents, often leading to discussions about the appropriateness of providing phones to children at a young age. This transition marks a shift from previous experiences of learning in a more controlled environment, challenging parents to adapt to a world where technology is ubiquitous.

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