Pocantico Hills CSD

 

For many students, a large part of their life is online — chatting with friends, posting thoughts and photos, playing games and more. Recently, as part of Digital Citizen Week, Pocantico fifth and sixth grade students were giving a reminder about the perils of being online and how best to be an empathetic digital user.

On Oct. 23, Pocantico students visited Pleasantville High School, joining their peers there. The group met in the auditorium for a presentation by Dr. Devorah Heitner. Dr. Heitner has written several books relating to technology and children, including Screenwise and Growing Up in Public.

 

“Technology touches every aspect or your lives,” Dr. Heitner said, noting too that it is something their parents struggle with as well, including being on devices too long.

Devices do have a place, Dr Heitner assured the students. They are a great tool for research; can help you learn new things and in some ways stay connected. However, the danger comes in how they are used and why, as they can be disruptive.

For example, having a phone charging in the bedroom, providing a never-ending stream of information.

“If it’s in your bedroom at night, it calls to you, ‘hey,’” Dr. Heitner said. “I strongly suggest kids sleep in a room without a device.”

Texting can have a negative impact too. It is easy to have a misunderstanding with those you are chatting with, including when autocorrect misunderstands what you are trying to write, or the tone comes across negatively, and there’s no physical cue, such as facial expressions suggestion how the message is being received.

This can be problematic in a group text too.

“If someone messes up, get off the group text and text them separately or talk to them,” Dr. Heitner suggested. “If it gets odd, block them.”

Photos, especially for pre-teen children can be an issue, whether its parents posting photos their child does not want online or friends who share too much.

“This is a matter of digital privacy and leaving a digital footprint,” Dr. Heitner said, adding that consent, when you give permission to share, is paramount in helping children feel safe and respected.

“It’s important we check with friends if it is OK to post their photo or news,” Dr. Heitner continued. “They don’t need to have a reason why they don’t want their photo shared.”

Dr. Heitner also touched on the increasing number of “influencers” who create online content and the dangers of doing so.

These activities can be problematic because the individual has to keep posting content, which can be disruptive to other parts of their life, there is a chance as you gain more followers you lose your privacy.

She encouraged students to think about the difference between a friend, someone you know and cares about you, vs. a follower, someone who only views, and maybe comments on your content.

“We don’t owe that person anything,” Dr. Heitner said of followers. “You want your brain to feel really good, but remember a real friend is someone you know.”

Paying attention to who you follow is just as important. You want to follow content creators who make you feel good about yourself and your life.

“If it makes you feel bad, don’t follow them. It’s good to remember a lot of that is performative,” she said.

Students offered suggestions to their peers on how they balance using technology. One student said they time themselves while using a device, when the time expires, they spend the same amount of time doing an activity offline so there is a balance.

Gaming is another area where students can fall into the trap of playing for long than is advisable. Gamers can get caught up in trying to get to the next level, they can get mad when things are not going their way or someone turns off their console.

Sometimes it’s good to remember it’s just game. Dr. Heitner suggested thinking about “coming back to your body, get up and g et some water, do a push up or go outside.

“You want to be running your technology, not your tech running you,” she said.

Devising a plan is a great way to keep tech in check, such as setting a timer, planning what you will do next when you get offline.