In today's digital age, managing the influence of social media and constant connectivity is a significant challenge for teens and their families. This year, St. Mary’s Middle School is taking proactive steps to support both students and parents in navigating these complexities by integrating practical solutions like phone lockers and providing resources and curriculum at school and home.
New Phone Lockers Help Students Set Limits
“It’s always been a rule in the Middle School to leave phones in lockers, but we’ve noticed the girls have been having a hard time staying off their phones even while they are in their lockers,” Middle School Head Mrs. Katherine House said. “We’ve been thinking about phone lockers for a while. After having some conversations with parents who were extremely supportive, we decided it was time.”
The phone lockers are conveniently in each grade’s commons, and will be locked at 7:50 and unlocked at 3:15. Parents who need to reach their daughter during the school day can contact the Middle School Office.
“Phones are too enticing, and ever since the pandemic, it seems like teens are even more attached to their devices than before,” House said.
The constant stream of information and communication on phones causes a fear of missing out and an urgency to be involved at all times, leading to an increase in stress and anxiety according to research from Columbia University. This anxiety is heightened in the pre-teen age group.
“Social media provides some pretty negative ways to try to fit in, and fitting in is such a defining part of being at the middle school age. Insecurity is at a high, and phones and social media can offer a false sense of security,” Katherine said.
Continued Resources for Families
The phone lockers support the curriculum used in St. Mary’s classrooms and the resources the school makes available to parents.
Two years ago, St. Mary’s began a partnership with The Social Institute (TSI), an online learning platform that empowers students to navigate their social world – social media and technology – to fuel their health, happiness, and future success. Through this gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform students are inspired to make positive, high-character choices.
For example, in the fourth through ninth grades, St. Mary’s supplements counseling lessons with curriculum from TSI. While classroom lessons are presented by St. Mary’s counselors, parents also receive access to resources and conversation starters to use at home. The curriculum empowers students to live up to high standards, both online and off. Later this fall, counselors will share more information about TSI resources.
Linking Arms with Parents
In September, Associate Head of School Mrs. Hilary Robinson will lead two parent book club meetings on Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book, “The Anxious Generation.” (See details below.) Haidt examines how changes in parenting styles, the impact of social media, and the pressures of academic and social success have created an environment where anxiety thrives.
“The book’s perspective is that, because of phone use and screen addiction, children have lost the ability to verbalize their feelings and interact with others to solve problems,” Robinson said. “Essentially, the book supports what our counselors see. The hope is that the phone lockers give the girls more time to be present in the moment and get to know the people around them.”
With technology use continuing to exponentially increase, holding space for meaningful conversations surrounding phones and anxiety is important in gaining a deeper understanding of the pressures and influences affecting children today.
Robinson hopes parents and families will read “The Anxious Generation” to gain research-based strategies to better support their kids. Middle Schoolers will also spend the first few days back at school learning about the importance of unplugging from technology.
“It’s all a balance. We can use social media, but we also need to learn how to be present, how to communicate face-to-face, not just through a screen,” Katherine said. “The phone lockers will help exercise the muscle of finding that balance.”
Anxious Generation Book Club
Join Associate Head of School Hilary Davis Robinson ’90 to discuss Jonathan Haidt’s bestselling book, “The Anxious Generation.” Together, we’ll discuss practical strategies for parents, to help mitigate anxiety and support the well-being of young people. You’ll learn how changes in parenting styles, the impact of social media, and the pressures of academic and social success have created an environment where anxiety thrives.
Early Childhood/Lower School Parent Book Discussion
Wednesday, September 11, at 4:30 p.m.
Location will be communicated at a later date.
Middle School/Upper School Parent Book Discussion
Wednesday, September 25, at 5:30 p.m.
Location will be communicated at a later date.
- Middle School