Last year, we spent significant time planning for the possible implementation of our “Away for the Day” policy. We wanted to ensure parents understood our reasoning, so we developed a parent task force. We wanted to identify all impacts, so we worked with faculty and staff on identifying them. We weren’t sure how it would be received, so we spoke with schools that had already made the move. We made the move, and now we’ve realized: we should’ve done this a long time ago.
If you’re not already following Dr. Jonathan Haidt on Instagram, I’d recommend you consider it. While I will note that Dr. Haidt is not a professing Christian, his continued research is demonstrating some really important observations and practical considerations for families. His “4 new norms,” which he recommends in his book, The Anxious Generation, and espouses often across many mediums, are as follows:
- No smartphones before high school
- No social media before 16
- Phone-free schools
- More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world
Our parents – the “big wheel” of the tricycle – are the primary owners of #1, #2, and #4. As a school, our largest opportunity is #3 (and we can help with #4 at times, as well). So what has the impact been of our “Away for the Day” policy this year? Well, the impact on our students matches the impact Dr. Haidt and others have observed in recent years. Hear it directly from our students and teachers:
- Student: “It encourages us to build community and helps with social skills!”
- Student: “I feel like I have more intentional conversations, and I am more present in the moment with what is happening around me.”
- Student: “I know more students this year because I’m not connected to my phone.”
- Teacher: “This policy is literally the best thing to ever happen to Valley Christian and my classroom. It’s no longer a fight for students not to take out their phones in the last couple minutes of every period. Instead, when there’s open space, be it class time, passing periods, or lunch, kids actually talk to each other and to me. I’ve been able to make deeper connections with my students this year because phones have not been a variable, and I am so thankful!”
- Teacher: “It has been wonderful to see students build relationships and get to know one another between classes, instead of sitting on their phones for 4-minute doom scroll doses.”
- Teacher: “The number of incidents of phone addiction withdrawals is noticeably down. Complaints and desperate sneaking of phone peeks are almost a thing of the past!”
“Phone-free schools” is proving to be a success, both at VCS and elsewhere. As a father of three young children, I can tell you that my wife and I have also committed to #1 and #2. As our kids get older, I know it will become harder and harder to stay committed to this, but that is most certainly our intention. We’re also working on doing a better job with #4 with our own children; admittedly, this one is easier said than done in many cases. There’s certainly no requirement or mandate that our families practice each of these recommendations, but I do believe it’s wise for each of our families to be intentional, no matter what they decide. As the leader of your home, you make the call.
If you’re like me, you may need to be reminded of these things often, or you may need to see the data over and over again as a reminder. If so, follow Dr. Haidt, read his book, watch his talk at The Aspen Institute, follow accounts like 1,000 Hours Outside, check out the Phone Free Schools Movement website, and intentionally seek out partners in your “village” that will remind you of the benefits of kids being off screens, playing outside, and developing their independence. By the way, it’s in the 70s right now in the East Valley – a perfect time to get our kids outside! As a school, we are grateful to be able to partner with you in raising up your children, and please know that we are rooting you on continuously. Go, Trojans!
Soli Deo gloria,
Troy A. Thelen | CEO & Head of School