KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Editorial by: Dr. Aakash Ahuja
Man has created many technological inventions for the benefit of the human race. We cannot
imagine our lives without electronic gadgets. Still, the undisputed fact remains that technology
serves us well when we are Masters of Technology and not the other way around.
According to the federal National Center for Education Statistics, by 2020, 77% of schools have
prohibited cell phones for non-academic use.
We must also do that in Santa Clarita.
Due to Covid-19, when schools turned to virtual learning, cellphones’ use among kids increased
for academics and entertainment, but now that schools have opened in person, the use of cell
phones among kids has only increased.
They have become habitual to the entertainment provided by phone, and social media algorithm
ensures that kids will remain glued to their devices.
Kids use cell phones for video games, watching videos, and posting stuff on applications and
social media, which provide virtual instant gratification with a super dopamine surge in kids’
brains.
Many of these kids have difficulty staying focused and paying attention for a reasonable time to
complete a task, and their academic performance dives down. The scores on standardized tests
are at a historical low.
Algebra has been replaced by TikTok.
So, what should the school district do? Students should be allowed to keep cell phones, but they
should be SWITCHED OFF and placed in their bag packs.
They can use them during school hours only if prompted by the teacher for an academic reason
and must seek the teacher’s permission to use them for personal reasons.
I discussed this at the Hart Board meeting on April 19th, urged the board members not to take
this matter lightly, and put this on the agenda.
I have spoken at the Board meeting several times, in the last few months, regarding the adverse
effects of Tik Tok, social media and that for our kids to do well, parents and schools must do
what is required.
So far, the board still needs to put it on its agenda. Most parents, in my opinion, will agree that
for our kids to do well, they should not be hooked to their cell phones, and schools should restrict
their use.
I will continue to advocate for this.
Dr. Aakash Ahuja
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This makes sense. LA Unified has this policy in their elementary schools.
Or how about being a parent and teaching your child that it’s unacceptable for him or her to use their cell or iPad during class time. If the teacher makes an exception that’s fine. There is no need for more regulation .
Thank you Dr. Ahuja
Cell phones should be turned off in school, as it serves as a distraction to the learning experience.
How this will be done should be up to School Boards. But another consideration should be parental limiting of cell phone time at home. This would be more difficult.
There is a possibility education benefits provided by cell phone usage will positively impact the learning experience, but adverse effects for the time being are negatively affecting too many kids in their learning process.
As well as the education school provides, another major component is social interaction. How much of this is interfered by cell phone use has yet to be determined.
All of us are on a learning curve until the data is in.
Please keep this topic in the forefront Dr. Ahuja!
Gene Doiro, M.D.