Parents Advocate for Less Screen Time in Beverly Hills Schools

Parents in Beverly Hills come together to discuss reducing screen time for children.

News Summary

A new group of parents in the Beverly Hills Unified School District, called Promoting Alternatives to Unhealthy Screen Exposure (PAUSE), is advocating for reduced screen time for elementary students. The initiative, led by founding member Dr. Rashelle Hakak, aims to address concerns about the mental and physical health impacts of screens. PAUSE plans to limit screen exposure in the classroom and at home, urging parents not to give smartphones to their children until eighth grade and raising awareness about safe online practices.

Beverly Hills – A newly formed group of parents in the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) is taking a stand against excessive screen time for elementary students. The organization, named Promoting Alternatives to Unhealthy Screen Exposure (PAUSE), aims to advocate for reduced screen exposure amid growing concerns about its effects on children’s mental and physical health.

PAUSE was initiated during the current school year when parents recognized an increasing anxiety around the amount of time children spend on screens. The founding member, Dr. Rashelle Hakak, a clinical psychologist, played a crucial role in gathering parents together to address these concerns. The organization’s primary goal is to create a healthier environment for students by minimizing their screen time both in the classroom and at home.

The group has developed a checklist of objectives designed to limit screen exposure for younger students effectively. One significant proposal from PAUSE is to advise parents against giving smartphones to their children until they reach the eighth grade. This aligns with the principles of the national campaign Wait Until 8th, which the group has officially pledged to support.

As part of its efforts, PAUSE seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of screen usage within BHUSD classrooms. The organization aims to advocate for necessary changes based on their findings to promote the social-emotional health of students. Dr. Dustin Seemann, the assistant superintendent for education services at BHUSD, has expressed support for PAUSE’s initiatives, recognizing the importance of maintaining students’ well-being in educational settings.

Despite the concerns about screen time, data from BHUSD shows that elementary students engage with the online i-Ready reading and math program for an average of only 30 minutes per week, out of approximately 1,590 minutes of total weekly instructional time. Seemann has clarified that the perception of students being “always plugged in” is misleading, and highlighted that i-Ready can accommodate students at varying proficiency levels without promoting peer comparisons.

However, concerns persist among PAUSE members regarding the potential negative impacts of screen usage. Some, like Dr. Jane Tavyev Asher, warn that the increase in device usage may impair children’s reading and handwriting skills, suggesting that reliance on laptops and other digital devices could hinder essential brain development necessary for learning.

Safety issues related to online content on school-issued computers have also been raised. Parents cited an incident where a child accessed inappropriate material, prompting discussions about content supervision. Seemann confirmed that the district acted swiftly to address this incident and is committed to ensuring a safe online environment for all students.

Hakak has noted her apprehensions about a disconnect between district officials and the realities faced in the classroom. Reports of children being unsupervised on computers during free time raised alarms about the need for more stringent measures to prevent such oversights.

The formation of PAUSE highlights a growing awareness among parents of the need to address screen time in a proactive manner. By fostering communication among parents, educators, and district officials, PAUSE aims to create a balanced approach to technology use in education, enhancing the overall development and well-being of elementary students in Beverly Hills.

The ongoing dialogue among parents, educators, and district leaders underscores the importance of a collaborative community effort to protect children’s health and promote healthy screen habits as technology continues to play an increasingly significant role in education and daily life.