Dear Parents
MOBILE DEVICES
We are concerned about aspects of some boys’ use of their mobile devices. In terms of our one-on-one iPad programme from Grades 4-7, the iPad is first and foremost an educational tool introduced to enhance learning and teaching, not to replace everything we did before, but to harness what technology can offer to improve and add to the learning process. Our rules for the management of iPad use at school are, in essence:
- only to be used under the supervision of a teacher;
- not allowed to be used before school/during breaks/waiting for lifts – anywhere outside of the classroom situation; and
- no simcards are allowed at school;
- as well as playing non-educational games.
Boys do try to break these rules: we have had cases of boys buying apps to circumvent our firewalls; trying every other means in their power to get around these firewalls and attempting to access what they know are inappropriate sites. We have to be sure to educate and be vigilant about these transgressions. We also receive daily reports on everyone’s usage on the premises, whose usage is disproportionately high and who is attempting to get onto inappropriate sites, and follow up on this.
Technology, as a part of our daily lives and especially our children’s, is a reality that is here to stay. There is no point in keeping technology away from Prep-aged boys – they need to learn digital integrity, online respect, discernment, etc. And it has enormous benefits for us all, but misuse or over-use is a serious problem especially during the growing up years. And a big part of the over-use is recreational use.
A few examples that illustrate our concerns:
- seeing boys at a sports match playing games on their iPads;
- iPads in use while driving home (and not doing homework);
- boys on Fortnite every night and sometimes when they are meant to be asleep;
- taking iPads to a sleepover or a play date; and
- children as young as seven playing Fortnite. These games are insatiable, absorbing, fun and always offering another opportunity to do better.
These examples deprive children of being aware of their surroundings, dreaming, having a conversation, imagining and becoming bored, reading, etc. Boredom is very much out of fashion these days, but it’s not such a bad thing. That’s when children make up games and have a chance to think about things.
As parents, you obviously make your own decisions. We suggest the following regarding use after school:
- have your son’s password and check what he is doing every now and again;
- no iPad/phone in his bedroom after lights out;
- no need to include iPads on play dates or sleepovers;
- limit usage after hours – he should not regularly have more than thirty minutes homework on his iPad (if that);
- limit playing games to an hour or an hour and a half a week – no more is needed;
- only allowing the game if you have checked it and are happy with it;
- no access to your credit card to purchase Apps;
- check use of social media regularly (we will send out more thoughts about this later).
I hope that these suggestions are of use to you and ultimately constructive. In the end it’s all about balance.
Have a great weekend.
Kind regards
GREG BROWN
HEADMASTER |
