Presented by SPF Public Schools and the Educational Enrichment Foundation of Scotch Plains
It should come as no surprise that our teens and teensagers are spending more and more time online. In fact, a recent report released by Common Sense Media states that young people spend a shocking 6 to 9 hours a day using media (2015). Although the internet is a vast repository of knowledge, how do our students know what is safe, reliable, and valid when doing research for school? How will they learn to conduct themselves on social media with care and compassion when provided with the mask of anonymity? Most importantly, how can we keep our children safe with the virtual world at their literal fingertips? With technology moving at seemingly the speed of light, it is the responsibility of schools, parents, and the community to help our students become and remain good cyber citizens and stay safe in the virtual and real world.
Recognizing this responsibility, last year Park and Terrill Middle Schools in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District received a grant from the Educational Enrichment Foundation (EEF) to show Screenagers, a documentary by the award-winning physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston, about students growing up in the digital age. This documentary addresses the impact of screen time on kids, focusing on topics like social media, video games, academics, and internet addiction and featuring analysis from experts in the field and personal stories from those who have been affected by this growing epidemic. The screening is a part of Park and Terrill’s larger efforts to educate students, parents, staff members, and the community on issues of cyber safety and citizenship.
We have scheduled two screenings of Screenagers – October 18 in the SPFHS Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. and October 19 in Terrill’s Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. These events are open to everyone, including students, parents, teachers, community members, etc. We hope to see you there!
