Smartphones & Social Media

  • As students transition to middle school, cell phone and social media use at Flett is an important discussion. At Flett, we follow the Wait until 8th model (14 years old+) which is gaining ground throughout our nation. Click here to learn more about why you may want to consider waiting or adjusting your child's access to a smartphone and social media.

    We understand and support parental choice; however, at Flett cell phones and smart watches will not be permitted to be in use during the school day. Phones and smartwatches can be stored, turned off, and in backpacks although we'd prefer they stay at home. Students may access their phones before and after school and may contact guardians from the office when needed. Students have access to their laptops throughout the day and during lunch. 

    Our intent is not to limit access to your child. Our experience, and research, tell us that the use of smartphones and social media for young adolescents increases isolation and social discord and decreases self-esteem and confidence. While students are ready for increased independence, they are not ready for 24/7 minimally regulated interaction with other adolescents and adults online. In fact, most school conflicts and instances of bullying can be traced back to group texts and social media communication. If you would like your child to have a phone that just calls and texts, all major carriers offer what is called a Basic Phone. The basic phone avoids many of the distractions and dangers of the smartphone.

    Above we shared that we believe it is important for students wait until at least 8th grade to have a smart phone and allow students to engage with various social media platforms such as Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, and Tik Tok. We wanted to share a link to a recent webinar that Spokane Public Schools, Mead School District, and the regional Educational Service District held on the effects of social medial. It includes tips how to connect with your student on setting boundaries.

    The webinar is about an hour. Below are some additional links pulled together by SPS. At Flett we embrace technology and want to empower our youth to be wise consumers and users of technology and software. We also know our students still need strong boundaries with these emerging technologies, many of which we did not grow up using ourselves.

    In Partnership,

    Flett Middle School

    HOW-TO GUIDES FOR POPULAR APPS

    Our parent playbooks will inform and equip your family to tackle the most popular apps in your child’s digital arena. To prepare our players, we must stay up to date on the trendiest apps. Family huddles are essential to dive deep into the app’s challenges and potential dangers. These Playbooks will train your team to use the app safely, appropriately, and moderately. Additional app information

    TikTok | SnapChat | Instagram

     
     
Riverhawk

  • Wait Until 8th’s App Game Plan

    OUR GAME PLAN INCLUDES SIX STRATEGIES:

    1. Disable your child’s ability to download and delete apps from the app store in the settings of your child’s phone. Learn how to disable app downloading and deleting here and get up to speed on what your child has downloaded already.

    2. Always research the app before allowing your child on the field.

    3. At a bare minimum, adhere to the age recommendation provided in the the app review.

    4. Talk to your child about the app’s potential challenges and risks. Discuss how your team will keep the app in check.

    5. Start with one app at a time. New players to social media especially need to demonstrate maturity before downloading additional platforms. Granting access to Snapchat and Instagram at the same time will be too much for you and your player.

    6. Monitor how your child is using the app. Don’t hesitate to suspend the app if your child is struggling with it. Enlist Bark if you need help monitoring. Bark monitors texts, email, YouTube, and 24+ social media platforms for signs of potential issues.