In recent years, the role of screens in students’ lives has become a pressing topic of conversation among educators, parents, and researchers alike. At Cascades Academy, we’re exploring the benefits and challenges of screen use through various initiatives, events, and expert consultations. These efforts highlight the urgency of the conversation and the need for thoughtful, balanced approaches that center student well-being.
A Collaborative Approach
Emily Cherkin presenting at Cascades Academy
One of our recent cornerstone events, in partnership with Well Wired, was hosting a screening of "Screenagers," a documentary that illustrates the complex relationship young people have with technology. The film resonated with our community, sparking meaningful discussions about the role a school plays in screen time, mental health, and the influence of digital platforms.
Following the screening, we welcomed “The Screentime Consultant” Emily Cherkin, whose practical strategies and empathetic insights empower parents and educators to address screen-related challenges in their own homes and classrooms. Cherkin’s emphasis on fostering boundaries and mindful habits has become a guiding framework for our ongoing dialogue. Her key advice — "less is more, later is better, and relationships first" — has served as a practical mantra for families navigating the digital age.
Cherkin’s visit was complemented by parent discussions led by Director of Counseling & Student Life Gabe Bernstein and myself, which centered on Jonathan Haidt’s book, "The Anxious Generation." This insightful text examines the psychological toll of social media and screen use on adolescents. Haidt’s recommendations — no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and fostering more independence and free play — provided actionable ideas for families. These discussions also underscored the importance of aligning screen use with family values and encouraging children to engage with technology intentionally by asking, "Why am I on my device right now? What am I achieving?"
"Less is more, later is better, and relationships first." – Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant
What the Data Tells Us
Recent research from articles like "Industrial-Scale Harm: TikTok and the Teen Brain" by by Haidt and Zach Rausch has further emphasized the risks posed by platforms designed to maximize engagement through algorithmic precision. Platforms like TikTok, while offering moments of creativity and connection, are also engineered to exploit vulnerabilities in the developing adolescent brain. The article highlights how endless scrolling and personalized feeds can distort a young person’s sense of time, contribute to anxiety, and reduce opportunities for meaningful, real-world interactions. Such insights reinforce the importance of creating environments — both at home and in schools — where students can develop critical thinking skills and habits of intentional tech use.
“Endless scrolling and personalized feeds can distort a young person’s sense of time, contribute to anxiety, and reduce opportunities for meaningful, real-world interactions.”
Adding to this growing body of evidence, the U.S. Surgeon General recently called for stronger accountability from social media companies in a report highlighted by The New York Times. This report emphasizes the need for warning labels on social media platforms, akin to those used for tobacco and alcohol, to inform users of the risks posed by excessive screen use. It points to the significant mental health impacts of social media, particularly among adolescents, and urges schools, parents, and policymakers to work together to establish safeguards and promote healthier digital habits. This aligns closely with our school’s mission to foster informed, intentional use of technology and to advocate for systemic changes that prioritize student well-being.
Closer to home, the Oregon Department of Education recently issued new guidelines encouraging schools to restrict cellphone use during instructional time. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the impact of smartphones on student focus and classroom dynamics. The policy aims to create learning environments where students can engage more deeply with their studies and peers, free from the distractions of constant notifications and social media. At Cascades Academy, we have long recognized the value of minimizing distractions and have embraced practices that prioritize meaningful interactions and academic engagement.
"At Cascades Academy, we have long recognized the value of minimizing distractions and have embraced practices that prioritize meaningful interactions and academic engagement."
Data also supports these approaches.
- The U.S. Surgeon General's 2024 report highlights that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are at a 50% higher risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- A 2022 Pew Research Center study found that 46% of teens reported experiencing cyberbullying or online harassment, issues often exacerbated by social media platforms.
- Research referenced in "Banning Smartphones at Schools: Research Points to Higher Test Scores, Less Anxiety, More Exercise" shows that students with unrestricted smartphone access during class time scored 6% lower on standardized assessments compared to their peers in phone-free environments.
These statistics underline the importance of intentional and mindful technology use.
Actionable Insights
Based on the work we’ve done so far this year, a few key principles have emerged as guiding recommendations for families and educators:
- Delaying access to smartphones and social media as long as possible can significantly reduce exposure to harmful online content and foster healthier digital habits.
- Creating clear and consistent boundaries around screen use — both at school and at home — can help students develop self-regulation skills and improve focus.
- Encouraging real-world experiences, play, and face-to-face interactions remains essential in balancing the influence of screens.
- Modeling mindful technology use as adults is one of the most effective ways to guide students toward healthier digital habits.
Moving Forward
At Cascades Academy, our aim is not to vilify or eliminate screens, but to foster healthy, intentional relationships with technology. Screens are powerful tools that can enhance learning, creativity, and connection when used thoughtfully. However, they can also pose risks, especially when their use becomes unbounded or uncritical. Our role as educators is to equip students with the skills and self-awareness they need to navigate these complexities, encouraging them to be discerning digital citizens.
“Our aim is not to vilify or eliminate screens, but to foster healthy, intentional relationships with technology.”
As we continue this work, we remain committed to asking hard questions:
- How do we balance the educational potential of screens with their potential for distraction?
- What role should schools play in shaping digital habits?
- How do we support families in creating a home environment conducive to healthy screen use?
These are not questions with easy answers, but they are vital to ensuring that our students thrive in an increasingly digital world. By fostering open dialogue and grounding our approaches in both research and empathy, we believe we can guide our students and families toward a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology.
Resources:
- Well Wired
- "The Screentime Solution," Emily Cherkin
- "The Anxious Generation," Jonathan Haidt