Educators and the Struggle to Balance Technology in the Classroom
By Giselle Castaneda and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury
In the realm of technological progress and the ever-expanding reach of smartphones, an urgent question arises: how can educators guide and nurture young minds as they traverse this vast digital landscape? What is their role in protecting and informing our young people about the risks and rewards associated with smartphone usage? Do we place the lion’s share of the burden for educating our young people about smartphones in the same way we do about sexual health, driving, and how to bake a cake? The growing profound impact that excessive screen time can have on our lives, particularly on the delicate tapestry of human connections, has been of sustained concern since the advent of the tablet and smartphone. In recent years, screentime has increased exponentially as people were driven inside and away from in-person human interactions. In this age of screens and pixels, the more time one spends immersed in the glowing confines of a digital realm, the less time is spent engaging with others in the physical world. It is a paradox, for while these devices offer the promise of connecting us, they can also drive us further apart. The essence of human existence lies in the richness of interpersonal connections, the forging of bonds that transcend the confines of a virtual existence. Teachers, with…
