CCA Bulletin 6.7.26

Dear Parents,

We are sliding into the last week of school, and our students are looking forward to a more relaxed routine, with more hours in the day to explore and play. With this newfound free time, many will be tempted to spend more time online.

Last week, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office issued a public health warning about excessive screen time among kids and teens.

Key takeaways include:

• Early exposure to screens carries developmental and cognitive risks
• Higher screen time is linked to anxiety, depression, body image concerns, and poor sleep
• Nearly 50% of teenagers report experiencing cyberbullying
• Between 3.5 to 5% of children experience sextortion before adulthood

Recommendations provided by the Surgeon General’s Advisory:

Students should:

• Protect themselves and others online
• Disconnect from screens and engage in real life
• Use screens and social media in healthy, positive ways

Families should:

• Create a family media plan
• Model healthy behavior
• Delay access to screens and social media
• Use parental controls

Schools should:

• Implement cell phone bans
• Teach online safety and digital citizenship
• Create opportunities for students to spend time away from screens

I am happy to report that CCA has already implemented the ideas for schools discussed in the Advisory Report and plans to further cut students’ tech time next fall. While we recognize the convenience that online technology provides, including the ability to receive information much faster and more easily than before the internet existed, we have heeded the warnings and continue to refine our tech policies.

This summer, encourage your children to go outside, play with friends, and create opportunities for them to experience the world with you. There is no better way to help children grow, mature, and learn healthy interpersonal skills!

In Christ,