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School's back, and so are the problems in the classroom. In an attempt to learn more about them, a person who goes online by the nickname Itwasobviouslyburke made a post on the subreddit r/AskTeachers that read, "What screams 'I have unlimited screen time' in students?" And she got plenty of replies. While nobody is denying that electronic devices can enhance learning, here are some of the red flags that educators believe suggest children should take it down a notch.
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#1
High school teacher here.
They think that they know so much more about technology and computers than adults. Really they just know more about c***py social media apps and some about web use. They have no clue how to save a file to a specific location, or use a simple spreadsheet.
Jonas Fisher 1 year ago
Teacher here. Can confirm this 100%. Computer literacy has to be taught, studied, and learned.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 1 year ago
I use way too much screen time, I fully recognize that and I’m trying to cut back, but I at least know that I don’t know jack about computers. I can google stuff and save images, and use google apps for school… that’s about it.
Jess Smith 1 year ago
If someone says they know lots about something, they either do (occasionally) or very, very much don't.
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Ash 1 year ago
Some kids think they know so much more than adults about everything because they had watched some self-proclaimed tiktok or youtube expert with weird theories. I've heard stories from other teachers who had to listen to most bizzare theories and students arguing with them about basic knowledge things.
Ivana Hotdog 1 year ago
I give ICT exams to my students every year, and one of the tasks is to unzip a file... Yeah... At least a third of them don't know how. And they have access to Google to look up how to do such tasks if they don't know...
LaediGrenayd_05 1 year ago
Gen Zer here and we're not all idiots who don't know anything. I know tons of computer stuff my father taught me because he works in IT
Cassidy Moore 1 year ago
I remember thinking that I would never use Excel and then life happened and I ended up at as a typical office data entry position and use it daily. I wish I paid more attention now
RELATED:
#2
"My hand hurts." Trying to write one paragraph or cut a square with scissors.
Can not think creatively. Says inappropriate things like 'skibbidi toilet' 'what the..' and 'yes daddy'
These are 2nd graders. .
WindySwede 1 year ago
I wonder how soon there will be a conspiracy theory that claim that the rich are trying to zombiefie the youth to regain control over the world? /jk? 🤷♂️🤫
Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
That’s not a conspiracy, that’s a reality. They keep us sedated/depressed with social media, meanwhile they take money and rights right out from under our noses
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Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I hear so many 'yes daddy' comments coming from primary school kids and it really worries me. Especially since I know at least one of the kids in my program was sexually abused by her father.
Ellinor 1 year ago
For the hand thing, could be undiagnosed dysgraphia (had it, found out only at 14 why I had hand-cramps after one sentence written)
Lene 1 year ago
I once attended a writing class-thing and one assignment was 5min non-stop writing by hand. I liked it because I write by hand all the time. But all the other participants (about 20ppl the age of ca. 25-40) were complaining about how their hands hurt not even half way through the assignment. And they ended up writing about 1 page. I was really scared I'd done something wrong because I was 2.5 pages in when the teacher stopped us. I felt so weird about it. You are in a writing class. You have a pencil case and a notebook with you. WHY CAN YOU NOT WRITE BY HAND!?!?!
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
The hand hurting may be due to fine motor issues. I struggle to write more than a page without pain.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
I had a student that spent the first few months of school last year randomly saying, “skibbidi toilet” at inappropriate times. It was like an uncontrollable tic.
Maisey Myles 1 year ago
I’m literally’old school’. I still have callous on my middle finger from actually writing
Ghostgirlinred 1 year ago
That's most schools now lol nothing old school about it
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Heather Talma 1 year ago
There better be a word left off of "what the" because just "what the" is very normal.
We managed to get in touch with the author of the post, and the woman, who is a teacher herself, said the idea for it came from personal experience.
"I, like many people these days, am constantly in awe of how quickly technology has advanced in my lifetime," Itwasobviouslyburke told Bored Panda. "I'm 33, so as a child, I didn't have a cellphone. The most techy thing I spent my time doing was personalizing my MySpace page and chatting with friends on AIM. Nowadays it's rare to see anyone in public without some form of screen in hand. I get it, as I've found I'm pretty much addicted to 'screen time' in one form or another (much like most everyone) as well."
These advancements pose significant challenges for the young ones, and the Redditor is witnessing them firsthand. "I'm a stepmom to an amazing 11-year-old boy, who received a smartphone at nine years old. He has age-appropriate restrictions and limits with his phone and tablet, but even still, I've noticed a direct correlation between screen use and his ability to pay attention and be involved during screen-free activities. He's always been a very bright straight-A student; however, at the end of his last school year, his grades declined significantly."
"His teacher specifically mentioned things like paying attention, staying on track, being responsible for remembering things, etc., and this prompted me to reach out to other teachers for their general consensus," she added.
#3
I noticed a change in my little cousin (5 yo) when he changed day cares- suddenly he'd be GLUED to the TV, to the point he'd get upset if you cut it off- before, it was background noise that he'd look at occasionally when things got quiet.
His mom noticed the issue too, and investigated his new day care some- turns out they'd just plop the kids in front the TV and leave them be for most of the day. Thankfully, swapping him to a more responsible day care changed this new habit pretty quick... sharing bc I want people to realize how much it ACTUALLY affects young kids to not have an adult help them in regulating this stuff.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
We had a few people in my after school care provider who got in trouble for doing this. The managers could see their computer usage and they were playing movies for the whole session time every day. They were warned about it but kept doing it, then they decided to leave the company. When I did my student teaching placement in a childcare centre, they put on a movie every day for the 3-4 year olds during rest time. If that wasn't bad enough the children who were still supposed to be sleeping during that time were all in the same room, so of course it was hard to settle them. Makes my blood boil! Those sort of places definitely need to be reported.
Alex Martin 1 year ago
When I was in preschool 40 some-odd years ago the teacher would watch Days of Our Lives during our nap time. I still get drowsy when I hear the "Like Sands Through the Hour Glass, So Go the Days of Our Lives," theme music. If they had played something mildly interesting I would have skipped nap time. Plugging kids into the TV is a no go.
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Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
Kid need to learn to self-regulate their emotions, not always be looking at a screen. They need to be bored, so they can exercise their creativity, and they need to eat dinner with their family and talk about their day, and form those bonds! The eating dinner part is so important mammals bond when they eat food together! We had a woman do a presentation to our school board just before school started, and she was so good! She talked about all these things!
#4
Parroting video phrases(especially ones that are above their maturity level) and telling me they are bored within seconds of downtime. The kids don’t know what to do with themselves without an iPad.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 1 year ago
My little brother is always parroting stuff he doesn’t understand and sometimes accidentally says some really offensive stuff… I’m really worried about him. He’s sweet and for the most part a pretty good kid but he’s accidentally parroted some really offensive stuff (mostly sexist/homophobic).
Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
It’s always tough in those situations because you’re torn between trying to intervene as an older sibling or leaving it to the parents as it should be their responsibility
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Primary school age kids doing that anime sex moan thing! Most are to young to even understand what it means :( Then the older ones who do know, and when you ask them to stop, try to goad you into telling them why it's inappropriate.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 1 year ago
My little brother does that as a stim. It’s really upsetting.
Load More Replies... Carl Roberts 1 year ago
My nephew is like this. And I fully blame my sister and brother in law. They stayed with me for 4 months, and my then 8 year old nephew had an iPad in front of face non stop. if I dared say anything about it, I was told it was none of my business.
As she kept track of the post's comment section, Itwasobviouslyburke noticed a few trends emerge in the discussion.
"The most common answer I saw was regarding students' inability to concentrate on any school activities not involving a screen," she said. "Teachers said they have a hard time even paying attention to movies (which used to be a fun treat in class), as the constant 'short-form content' most of the kids are consuming at home makes it harder for them to stay engaged in longer-form content."
"Another big one was the constant parroting of internet lingo and meme talk," she noted. "One of the more interesting things some commenters had noted was a lot of their students who seemed to have unlimited screen time also had parents who usually don't like to address problems going on at school, nor take them seriously. It’s as if the kids are now ruling the roost, so to speak."
#5
Sleeping all the time because they were up all night gaming or scrolling. (Mine aren’t old enough to work).
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 1 year ago
I don’t like to sleep in class, but I was always so exhausted last year that I actually did a couple times. I always felt horrible about it. Yeah turns out I was depressed. That f****d up a lot of stuff for me last year.
Ellinor 1 year ago
Unless you know for sure why a student is often sleeping in class, don't assume, maybe ask them if they are alright. They could be living awful times at home. One day at 13 years old I slept in class because I was in the middle of lawsuit and legal stuff against my father, and my teacher let me sleep through all of it. He didn't asked to know anything, and only woke me up with a smile on his face so I wouldn't miss lunch.
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
I once had a day where I physically could not stay awake and actively fell asleep several times. It turned out I'd accidentally screwed up the dosage of the medication I was taking and it was sedating me lol.
#6
When they act like their entire life is a YouTube reaction video.
According to a recent study, which reviewed the habits of about 30,000 children aged 3 to 18 between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 5, 2022, screen time is, indeed, on the rise worldwide.
The meta-analysis revealed that since the pandemic, the average screen time among children globally has gone up by 52%, and has reached a daily mean of 246 minutes of screen time per day (4.1 h/d) across all children and adolescents.
Of course, not all of it is evil. Researchers in Australia who studied the behaviors of 4,013 children identified several categories of screen time, including social, educational, passive, and interactive.
According to their paper, the type of screen time determines whether it has a positive or negative impact.
#7
The ones that talk constantly. They watch these streamers/reaction videos/whatever in which the narrator never stops talking. They don't know how to hold a conversation, sit and listen, or even try to mentally process something before opening their mouth.
Kari Panda 1 year ago
Eh, such people have been around for much longer than the internet. I‘m pretty sure we all remember at least one school mate who never shut up.
Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
I’ve found it can also be the opposite. Since they watch things and have parasocial interactions where they’re used to only the other person talking, they stay silent and don’t speak out in conversation
#8
I'm a preschool teacher. I've had young children say something like "like and subscribe" at the end of interactions, because they think it's something you say when saying bye.
I've also had literal infants who know how to open apps, and know which one is YouTube- before they can walk.
Also, babies who have a strong selfie game. If you turn the camera on the tablet, they instantly stop crying and start cheesing.
MZ (she/they/he) 1 year ago (edited)
As a young kid (around the late 2000’s early 2010’s) I didn’t know how to open apps/navigate YouTube/take selfies. I only ever used my mom’s iPad when she would give me permission to and had my usage monitored via a timer. Around 2013/2014, YouTube was a popular thing in my friend group (the good YT era, not the brain rot era) and I remember let’s plays/minecraft were king back then and a lot of my friends wanted to be Minecraft YouTubers.I had a secret G+ acc that my mom didn’t know about during this time and I had unlimited access to YT because I lied abt my age on the acc. She tried to get me off YT though bc it was inappropriate for a fourth grader.
Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
I feel like Gen Z will keep their children far from technology before like 10 years old because they know the effect of it from experiencing it and watching gen alpha. Hopefully. Unfortunately, it could be the exact opposite…
The researchers showed that educational screen time provides the most benefit, showing positive effects on children’s persistence and educational outcomes while also having no significant impact on health. Interactive screen time, which involves playing video games, showed positive educational outcomes but was associated with poorer health.
Passive screen time — perhaps one of the more favored for anyone who likes to watch TV shows — is the least healthy form of screen time.
Another longitudinal study published at the end of 2020 looked at cognitive and emotional functioning in children over time, between ages 4 and 8, measured against their daily screen time. It found excessive screen time led to emotional dysregulation and negatively affected mathematics and literacy.
#9
“I don’t like coloring/playing with toys” being bored while I read them a book or put on an educational video.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I have one boy who occasionally comes to my after school care. He gets anxious easily, especially when bored. Though there is more going on, I know from talking to him that he only spends his time using a tablet or computer games when at home. I offer so many different activities which he refuses, but says he is bored. I try to build a relationship with him and get to now what sorts of things he likes but he will just say no or nothing at all, then gets anxious and cries. Even other children can barely make a connection with him or get him to join their games.
Royal Stray 1 year ago
To be fair I think most kids got bored by the educational videos. I don't really remember anyone thinking they were fun or paying much attention to them, and this was before phones and ipads. Also some kids didn't like playing with toys or the more sitting down things. Especially if we're talking really young kids, they want to move around and play. Obviously it's bad if they don't want to do that either, but these examples aren't all that great since kids were like that before phones
Ash 1 year ago (edited)
Several years ago i was teaching third/second graders and we were doing a lesson on describing toys/colours/body parts, so i asked to bring their favourite toy to describe. Only one kid from the whole class had a teddy, and all other 12 had gameboy. So i had to listen to "It's black and square.I love it very much" for 12 times.I almost cried
Jess Smith 1 year ago
I mean I could see not liking playing with toys. Part of the appeal of toys is often novelty, when you play with them a lot it kind of loses its novelty. But something like a marble run or legos will probably maintain novelty for a long time.
#10
Middle school…some are so addicted to staring at a screen they look at you like you did horrible violence to them when you flip the laptop closed. You’ve told them to close it nicely and they just CANNOT detach from the screen, so you walk over and close it and they lose it! They acted like they were one click away from saving the world. I am not exaggerating that they are mentally deranged.
RP 1 year ago
Parents need to grow-up but that will never happen so the simple answer is for schools to go back to basics, include a set taught course on computing skills, extend hours and do everything else with a board, pens, and paper. It's not impossible
Royal Stray 1 year ago
Right. I never really understood why everything had to be done with a computer all of a sudden. Sure longer essays can be written digitally, but normal tests and taking notes during class should be done by hand, unless the student is dyslexic and needs spellcheck
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Edith 1 year ago (edited)
Some parents don't have time and it becomes so convenient and easy to handle kids. You place them in front of screen and they sit still for hours, you get things done, you take a rest, clean or cook, name it. This situation becomes adicted to parents also. Because kids are very active, noisy, asking, fighting, running, messy, trying your boundaries, etc. etc. I am not saying it is good thing or justify them. I am just explaining from their perspective where they do it intentionally or not.
Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago
The IT guy in our district occasionally sends messages to 'all'. "GB's Chromebooks's been disabled due to searching for sexual content". I mean, how oblivious must you be to NOT know the school monitors electronic property.
The Redditor who started this online discussion thinks schools should limit kids' access to technology.
"I don't see a purpose for a student to need their smartphone in class (unless there's a medical need, i.e. insulin levels or something)," she said. "Parents can always call the school to get ahold of their kids like we've done for decades."
She's not an abolitionist, though. "Technology in school is necessary to some degree as computer literacy is very important these days. Learning how to search for information on a specific subject, find sources to cite, navigate media literacy, etc. are all necessary these days," the teacher further explained her stance.
But "I do think it's unnecessary and harmful to give out Chromebooks to kindergartners (what a lot of teachers commented on as well) and wonder if there's a good age/middle ground to start introducing these things in classrooms. Maybe 4th grade would be a better starting point?"
#11
Screaming and punching tables every time they’re asked to do work pencil-and-paper instead of on a computer or even merely to just put a computer away. Yes, I have a student who’s really like this. And yes, they are too old for tantrums. They’re 11.
justagirl 1 year ago
I don't enjoy writing on paper because I tend to write a great deal and it's just not easy to edit. Still, I write on paper if I have to write on paper.
BookFanatic 1 year ago
Same. I have awful handwriting, but I'll suck it up if that's what required. I swear I should have been a doctor...
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Scott Rackley 1 year ago
I don't understand teaching any grade under 6th with electronics. The subject matter you're covering is simple enough for a chalkboard and a book.
#12
Seeing innuendo in EVERYTHING at age 7. being obsessed with calling people “beta” or “sigma” also at age 7. reacting to educational ipad programs like they’re fortnite (screaming when they get a question wrong on i-ready, etc).
Luke Branwen 1 year ago
The thought of single-digit-age kids being subjected to "manosphere" bull$hit is the creepiest thing on this list.
When it comes to the question of whether schools can effectively address screen time issues if parents aren't taking action at home, Itwasobviouslyburke wishes there would be a simpler answer than the one we have now.
"It's so hard because I do appreciate being able to check on my student in real time via apps like PowerSchool, and I also like knowing he's where he's supposed to be as he shares his location with us," the Redditor explained. "Either way, if kids spend ~50% or more on screens at school, to then come home and have screen time until they eventually fall asleep is a recipe for trouble."
Also, even if the educators have good intentions on an individual level, systematic change can be hard to achieve. "I know teachers may share in their beliefs, but it seems like administration gets to call the shots in most cases and tend to appease the parents, not teachers and their wishes or observations."
"I'm a dance teacher so it's different, but I know teachers can never care more than the parents. You can spend all day trying to instill and maintain healthy habits, but if that’s not continued at home it's essentially pointless (and frustrating)!"
#13
Watch how they act when their access to computers/phones/iPads is cut off. We had a major internet outage. No signal and no Wi-Fi. The kids with decent parents groaned, pouted for a minute and found something else to do. The kids with unlimited screen time had a complete meltdown for hours. Teenagers screaming, literal tears, tantrums and complete regression to toddler behavior.
C W 1 year ago
Wait. Don't judge the parent. Listen to me - don't cut me off here. I am a single parent to 2 high needs medically complicated kiddos. For sure they get more screen time than I would like to admit. It isn't because I'm a bad parent. It's because I spend my time advocating for sub adequate health care. It's because I spend hours on the phone or in person with teachers making sure the school accommodations meet their needs. It's because I have to spend time finding affordable clothing and other necessities for them because I don't have the money to simply buy what's easy to buy. I am not a bad parent therefore my kids have extra screen time. I'm trying my damndest to survive in a society without adequate safe and affordable childcare, without adequate safe and affordable health care, without adequate public schools. Etc. Stop blaming parents and start volunteering to help the family in your neighborhood who is struggling. Stop scrolling Bored Pandas and vote for our kids' benefits.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
Why does there have to be someone like this in every comment section? You think they’re referring to “high needs, medically complicated” children? They’re clearly talking about a group of typical kids.
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Beth Wheeler 1 year ago
Awwwww did they all need a pillows and blankies for naptime like the babies they were acting like.
#14
When I ask the kids what they did over the weekend and all they can tell me is they played video games. All they talk about is video games. All they write about is video games. They have no interests besides video games. It infuriates me.
Fox with a Dragon Tattoo 1 year ago
This one sounds deranged. Ohh sorry that someone has an interest and hobby you dont share. Stop being a child and get over yourself OP.
#15
I teach kindergarten, and I've noticed the ones who are addicted to screens get insanely territorial over any tech device, but especially touch screen ones like iPads. I literally had to put away the iPads this year and just not use them because there were kids who would scream and throw tantrums as you wrestled the iPad away from them because they just would. not. stop. playing. Nothing worked, not setting timers, not having a buddy use it with them(then they would just fight over it), not any sort of behavioral intervention-- they just wanted the iPad all to themselves and would fight tooth and nail to keep it, even going so far as to try to destroy them rather than willingly give them up. It was extreme, sad, and a pain in the a*s, so they've been locked in the iPad cart for probably 6 months now. 🤷♀️.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
The CEO/creator of my after school program banned tech from sessions, unless permission given for specific uses. Before that we used the ipad for drawing tutorials, just dance videos on projector screen, as a calm down time for 10 minutes when needed, etc. We are now required to use the ipad for parents to sign the kids out so it is out just inside the door. It was a very difficult transition process, getting the kids to leave it alone during session time.
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
I will never use iPads in kindergarten. My grade 1 and 2 students barely used their Chromebooks last year!
Beth Wheeler 1 year ago
WOW. I hope the parents were made to pay for them and the kids get some kind of punishment other than no iPads at school.
#16
Yesterday we had a water day at my school in the afternoon.
They had these huge inflatables but they were all wet rides like a bouncy house with water, a giant water slide, etc.
They also had lots of water related games. If I was a kid, I would have played without stopping.
Several of our students were simply not able to play. They whined about being bored and wanted to go inside even begging me to leave my station and take them inside. “Ms. Ride this is boring. Can you take us inside to your room.”
Finally they found a platform on the field and sat there on their phones for most of the 3 hours.
Not being able to engage in or enjoy non screen activities screams “I have unlimited screen time.”.
justagirl 1 year ago
DUDE! That sounds AWESOME! If I were there I would run around checking everything out, and then try everything. These kids are seriously weird to not be excited.
Scott Rackley 1 year ago
I am now envious. These kids get bouncy houses at school? All I got was a jungle gym on asphalt and a bunch of skinned knees.
Load More Replies... The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
Kids should not be allowed to have their phones on them at school. They definitely shouldn’t be allowed to sit and stare at their phones for hours just to avoid other activities.
#17
I teach 5th grade. First of all, having little to no good/close friends, because they don’t ever hang out with anyone outside of school because they just want to be on a screen the whole time. Second, sleeping in class often because they were up all night on their screens…and usually when I call home about it, the parent says they have a strict “no screens after 8/9 PM” rule, but the problem is they don’t enforce it/check that it is being followed. Third, when they have a *haarrrddd* time staying off their Chromebooks. I had some kids who would literally prefer to mindlessly scroll their computers with the lid and inch open when I have blockers built in to where they can’t browse anything but the select few sites I have given permission to be on than to just shut the dang lid for 5 minutes and listen to me teach/give directions. It always took everything I had not to call them screen crackheads to their faces. Lastly, when they lack the ability to keep their mouth closed at times when even they know they should. They’re so used to YouTube and TikTok videos with people talking over one another and so used to having a reaction to every little thing. I’m thinking of one kid in particular right now and just - UGH I’m so glad it’s summer and that kid is officially not my problem anymore.
Glenn Cuneo 1 year ago
I do not hesitate to shut their computers down remotely. If they really are acting up- playing games on the chromebooks instead of completing their work I cast a fishtank to all their screens, game over. I've checked: it's against the law to use a wifi jammers in every state.
#18
So little attention and the inability to not be doing something. Like they just can’t “hang out” for a second, they need to consistently be doing something.
Heather Talma 1 year ago
Funny, I was scolded by a teacher in 2008 for "just thinking" and not visibly doing anything for all of three minutes of free time. Still now feel like I have to be visibly doing something at all times. Thanks Mrs. Marks.
Roland Nijveld 1 year ago
All of them? It's literally the majority of almost every class.
Load More Replies... #19
In early childhood I find that it's the kids who talk about weapons/violence. Usually I'll have 3-4 in a class who bring it up constantly/model all of their play around it.
MZ (she/they/he) 1 year ago
Or role playing as animals like cats, dogs, wolves, etc or fictional species like warrior cats
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 1 year ago
While 'gun' play has been show to be useful for some children to make sense of the world, including ones who come from war-torn countries, when it's obsessive it is not usually positive. I have one boy who has a form of ASD who is obsessed with horror games so much that it impacts his ability to play with others because even things like 'schools' or 'hospitals' have to have elements of horror in them or he won't play. His parents have banned him from certain games and the current psychologist has suggested he not be allowed to draw things from those games or any weapons because it hasn't been good for his mental health.
Carl Roberts 1 year ago
Kids have playing "shoot em up" since at least the 50's. In the 50's/60's/70's , it was all cowboys and Indians, the it was shooting aliens and monsters-, now it's shooting "bad guys" like in Call of Duty. Just a different take on something that's been around for a long time.
#20
Those that can't make it 10-15min into a movie.
Movie day at the end of the year was such a reward when I was in school (and I actually remember a lot from watching those films in a critical way). I have so many kids that genuinely cannot sit still or stay off their phone/laptop for more than 15min.
These are seniors by the way...
Roland Nijveld 1 year ago
Same but for me it really depends on the movie. Or I couldn't care less or I'm glued to the screen
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Luke Branwen 1 year ago
I've recently decided to check new seasons of Digimon as a nostalgia trip, since I LOVED that show as a child. Found out that the most recent season has episodic / "villain of the week" format (instead of a single continous story) to cater to kids with TikTok attention span. I pretty much enjoyed it, but still...
allthatandaduck888 1 year ago
In most schools, they mostly show students G/PG movies, so I understand why a senior in high school would not be interested in something like Zootopia. (If that’s the case)
Nikki Angulo 1 year ago
I was covering a class where the teacher’s lesson plan (film studies) was to show the movie “The Village” I ended up watching the same parts of the movie for two days in a row, and then at lunch or during her prep on the second day I stayed in the room just to see the end!
Load More Replies... #21
The ones who are bored every recess and won't touch any of the playground equiptment/gear- just complain the whole time that they're bored. Also the ones who super struggle to engage in quiet, independent activity that does not involve a screen.
#22
I have parents of kids my kids are friends with who let their kids watch hours and hours of tablet a day. I don’t understand how they think this is okay. One mom told me that her kids (kindergartner and prek) watch tablet from the time they get home (2pm) till dinner but she doesn’t allow it after that, like wtf.
She said that they cannot handle extracurricular activities and that her daughter is too tired after school to do anything.
#23
A nine year old asked me if I knew what a "pick-me" was.
It made me realize the danger of unfettered internet access + parents who don't speak English.
Caro Caro 1 year ago
pick-me (plural pick-mes) (slang, derogatory) Synonym of pick-me girl. (slang, derogatory, by extension) A person who acts against the interests of their own (typically marginalized) group in the hope of obtaining majority favour.
Load More Replies... #24
Being unable to play board games.
allthatandaduck888 1 year ago
Thats not really a skill you need to posess to be successful though
Wintermute 1 year ago
Unable or just not practiced because the world has evolved other things? They may just need to learn a skill they haven't used before. Which is normal.
Ghostgirlinred 1 year ago
I wouldn't say that's just children nowadays from twch, even before I had access to any Internet I found them quite boring
#25
Not thinking to read written instructions....
Royal Stray 1 year ago
I feel like this was a thing before phones and tablets. When I was in school one of our teachers even gave us one of those tests where the first instruction was to read through everything before doing any of the other questions, and the last question is that you just have to write your name and hand it in without answering any of the others. The questions in the middle are just ridiculous tasks like: Run to the door, borrow a pencil, do 2 pushups etc. It was kind of fun to watch people doing all of these silly things only to get mad when they got to the last question.
RedPepper 1 year ago (edited)
In middle school (nearly 30 years ago) we had an "attention test" that started with "read all instructions before starting" and ended with "do only instructions no. 2 and 5". So many failed.
Jess Smith 1 year ago
well was 'only do instructions no. 2 and 5' #2 or #5?
Load More Replies... Grenelda Thurber 1 year ago
Reading the instructions has always been the last resort, even before the internet.
Load More Replies... #26
For us, it's them asking to go to the bathroom every 2 minutes (so they can check their phones).
Corinna Weisz 1 year ago
Every 2 minutes? I'd recommend a visit at the urologist
Load More Replies... #27
I teach middle school. Significantly reduced attention span is a big indicator, and so is total desensitization to racism, sexism, violence, and sex. These students will try to be funny by saying the most shocking and [inappropriate] things I’ve ever heard and not even fully realize how weird and hurtful they’re being. Also, the moaning in the middle of class is a big deal.
Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago
As the custodian, I viewed my gig in MS as impulse control. Hell, the entire 5th thru 7th is impulse control, they begin to dial in by 8th. Co-workers thought me odd that I would "call out" kids bad behavior send them to RTP (responsible thinking process). Kids probably made fun of me, but they knew Mr. S don't play. NEVER had one not show up for RTP.
Beth Wheeler 1 year ago
Oh some of them learn cussing as little kids and some people think it's funny. It is NOT funny to hear a little kid spew cuss words like a sailor. Somebody needs to wash the parents mouths out with soap like they used to do many years ago.
~Just-A-Black-Cat-Lover~ 1 year ago
I was like 7 when i learned the fword lol. I said it, not knowing exactly what I meant, and had to get soap in my mouth or a smack lol!
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Lihi Porat 1 year ago
Except for racism, that's basically what my middle school class was like. I hated them. I was actually trying to learn but they would do the most disgusting sexually things!! And of course, we were considered the most troubling class in our year...
#28
The flat affect and only talking about characters in the videos they watch - their imagination literally does not go past the “huggy wuggy did this….” And this was first grade.
MZ (she/they/he) 1 year ago
Same with FNAF or rainbow friends, at most 13/14+ imo.. likely the YouTube content farms and brain rot.
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#29
I had multiple 8th graders this year who have never made a paper airplane….
Hmmm hmmmm 1 year ago
In fairness I couldn't make one at that age , not for lack of trying but I simply wasn't able
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Actually paper aeroplanes ae still very popular
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#30
The absolute inability to focus on something that doesn’t interest them. They are so pumped full of dopamine all the time from their devices, when something doesn’t interest them they go in to withdrawal and shut down.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
And it has to grab their attention right away or they won’t attend to it.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
You probably have real ADHD, not media-induced ADHD
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#31
When they are mumbling memes and internet jargon to themselves constantly almost like a tic or like they are self soothing.
Luke Branwen 1 year ago
I can imagine it's a serious problem, but there is something hilarious about the image of a child just randomly muttering "skibidi sigma rizz bro".
#32
Well, most of them are addicted to the internet..
Sometimes I start a lesson with a typical influencer styled "Hey guys!" Lol and kinda do that "Welcome to my channel" spiel.
We basically all have to up our game a bit in terms of also being HIGHLY entertaining, in order to keep their attention.
Oddly, these shenanigans, as odd as they might seem on the surface, really do work to keep them engaged.
And there isnt one behavior. They dont even really want to be on Canvas, which is a very entertaining learning system. They just want or need EVERYTHING to be super entertaining.
That said, some of these students can whiz through their online lessons like its nobody's business, while their efforts on paper require a lot more goading.
Also, the constant talking and getting up out of their seat, and a lack of any real boundaries and limitations at home become excruciatingly evident in the first hour of class.
_-DungeonKeeper-_ 1 year ago
we might use different versions of canvas because canvas is really generic
#33
I teach high school.
Anything that connects to the "real world" is automatically boring/useless. Anything that requires thinking past one step is too hard.
The other thing that drives me crazy is when they skip to a question on an exam and ask me what they're supposed to do. Like I get it; sometimes we miss stuff or it's unclear. But... The directions are right there. And it's not complicated. You just couldn't be bothered to read them. 🤦🏻♀️ Not sure if that's a screen time thing or not, but all the mobile games they play are so basic and simplistic that they didn't need directions really, or it's only pictures done one at a time - it wouldn't surprise me if it's related.
#34
Being aggressively and loudly wrong about anything.
#36
Intimate knowledge of warfare and killing in children ages 10 and under.
Low to zero stamina for challenge or any task involving any amount of labor/effort without immediate rewards.
Obsessions with serious/dangerous/destructive pranks and complete confusion about how pranks could be harmful to others (actual response “but so and so on YouTube does it so it can’t be bad”)
Basically, parents need to understand that no matter what you preface or follow up with, children ages 10 and under will internalize the games and media they consume, they WILL bring it to school and re-enact it on their peers, they WILL emulate the self-talk. They WILL take everything the adults on these vids and in comms chat say to them literally and it will become part of their internal script.
And they will never know actual joy and success and a sense of awe and wonder after working so hard and overcoming so many barriers to finally arrive at something born uniquely of their hard work and efforts, because they cannot make it beyond the first mile marker in any task without a reward attached to it. .
#37
It's funny. I was just talking about the chromebooks with my co teacher. This year, if we had a little extra time at the end of the lessons, I'd give the kids a bit of free time. I teach middle school special education. I realized the kids were always going on the chromebooks with headphones. Sometimes, they would come in the room, and before class started, be on games already. They hardly touched the board games and other stuff I had. So we decided next year free time will be without chromebooks. I had one couldn't even put it under his desk when I asked him he actually hugged it. It's really an addiction.
#38
My sister is 12 going on 13 and she stays up all night, has a lot of questions about stuff but doesn’t have the common sense to google it if she’s that curious, and has no hobbies outside of her phone. I’m not a teacher but she definitely has a certain degree of chronically online behavior. Also she used to pull the “what the…” line CONSTANTLY between about 6-9.
MZ (she/they/he) 1 year ago
When I was in third grade my teacher banned “what the/what the heck” as it was deemed to be a bad word.
#39
When they start quoting flat earth/red pill/Fox News type language or sounding fake deep, trying to one up or pop quiz the teacher as if they are suddenly superior with these questionable pieces of information; let’s me know they have ventured too far in YouTube. You have to scrolling a long time for your algorithm to look like that.
Emma Byrne 1 year ago
It's surprisingly easy to go down a far-right/conspiracy/woo pipeline with just a few clicks. You can do the experiment yourself. Start a new google account, sign in to youtube and just click on something you know your kids find appealing then let it auto play. It won't be long before they're learning about flat earth etc.
Luke Branwen 1 year ago
And it never works with leftist / "breadtube" content - just in case someone thought these corporations are apolitical. It's always fash content.
Load More Replies... #40
Diagnosing themselves with many mental illnesses.
Jess Smith 1 year ago
How do you know it's self-diagnosis? If I was mentioning "Oh yeah, I have autism, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, alexithymia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia and poor interoception" I wouldn't bother mentioning that the last four were self-diagnosed. (I mean, I don't think you can GET a diagnosis of alexithymia, but that doesn't make it 'less real' or something - not knowing what your emotions are is a thing!)
JB 1 year ago (edited)
Because the idiots who lay claim to whatever disorder also admit it’s not an official diagnosis. I mean you’re here saying you don’t think you can get a diagnosis for alexithmya while ignoring the facts there’s a name for it and it’s classified as a disorder means it MUST have been diagnosed, so it logically follows it can be diagnosed.
Load More Replies... Student River Basler 1 year ago
been there done that but are true [adhd [both types] autism, anxiety, depression, and Asperger's]
Jess Smith 1 year ago
Right, I take it you don't live somewhere where Asperger's is a subtype of autism? Sorry, I live somewhere (US) where it is.
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#41
Student left an assembly without letting anyone know to sit in the hallway and play on his iPad 🫡.
#42
I dunno about that, but when Squidgame was very popular we leaned pretty fast which middle school students have minimal to no screen supervision at home.
ScarletRos 1 year ago
My son’s primary school (kindy to year 6) had to tell students not to play Squid Game related games.
MZ (she/they/he) 1 year ago
I saw a Reddit thread on banned words in schools and squid game was banned so octopus activities was used instead.
Luke Branwen 1 year ago
It's funny that the Squid Game challenges were originally children's games, so it basically came full circle.
#43
Constantly talking/interrupting/trying to get the class off topic.
Major attention span problems (granted this also a sign of things like adhd, but across the board I see that the kids with unlimited screen time can’t sit still and pay attention for more than five minutes at a time)
Saying video games references constantly or parroting stuff they hear from YouTube videos. That and teaching classmates those words and phrase that aren’t always appropriate.
No integrity with their chromebooks.
When given free time to read, draw, do word puzzles etc. they refuse cause it doesn’t involve a screen.
Wanting instant gratification. Like if they’re doing a math worksheet, they have to know if they got a problem right instantly and can’t wait till the whole sheet is graded,.
#44
When they say “i saw this thing on TikTok about” and they’re only 5 years old.
Bad sleeping habits/coming in late constantly.
Wanting to talk over others, not understanding social norms
When they tell me they’ve never had a playdate, or that when I ask about when they go to restaurants they just talk about their iPad
Zoning out into space in the middle of doing work. Falling asleep during class.
#45
When you say “you need to put your phone up in the caddy, you can’t keep it at your desk” and the students response is “well, just give me a detention and kick me out.”.
Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago
...and prepare for the blowback for "traumatizing" poor little Billy.
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Carla Phillips 1 year ago
They passed a law in my state this year that prohibits students from having their phone at all in class.
#46
I taught elementary music. They become bored SO easily and have no attention spans. I will have them listening to a song that’s 1:30 long, and they will complain that it’s “too long”. They are consistently overstimulated by their screens, so non-screen activities are boring to them. It’s really upsetting to watch.
#47
I teach pre-k and the number of parents that are shocked by behaviors because "they never do this at home!" Well at home they never have to interact with anyone because they're always staring at a screen sooooo....
Colleen Glim 1 year ago
“They’re” is absolutely correct in this context. You can’t be a grammar nazi if you don’t understand the grammar yourself. Sit down
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#48
When they get so zoned out in something that that they can't transition to a different activity. Or the kids will try to ask me for help to do something on their Chromebook (Right now we are doing robotics in the library) and then swat my hands away.
#49
Getting twitchy or agitated when I forced them to take out their ear buds.
Immediately taking out the phone as soon as there is a lull or time to work independently.
Fidgeting in their seat when they have to give me attention for more than 2 minutes.
They have to have their phone on their desk (even if it's face down) as a security blanket.
Jess Smith 1 year ago
#3 could be ADHD. I fidget a lot, to the point I have fidget rings (10/10 recommend, don't recall what they are called officially, but mine are some interconnected metallic rings and some rubbery rings that are different colored and the different colors correspond to different textures, eg bumpy, spiky, wavy on them. Sorry for the bad descriptions).
#51
I'm a nontraditional student at the local State U studying Classics. Just here to give you a view down the road a bit. I retired and went back to school for my own interest, not for a career or to find myself lol. The number one thing I notice about my fellow students is a hesitation to make a statement in front of their peers, and an absolute terror of public speaking. I don't know how many presentations I have had to sit through where the presenter stares at the podium, stares at their notes or reads directly from the projection, with almost no acknowledgement of an audience in the lowest voice that they can muster. It's as if they have no knowledge whatsoever of person to person human communication. I'm going to assume that they are used to having a personal buffer when they are online - you don't have to defend a position or listen to someone else's viewpoint.
featherytoad 1 year ago (edited)
I don't know about this one. I had to take a speech class in hs in the mid 80s, and I had all these symptoms. Whether you grew up on a screen or not, there are always going to people who are terrified of public speaking.
What do you think ?
James016 1 year ago
My son has just started year 5. I know the previous year 5 kids had phones and they were collected by the teacher and given back at the end of the day. The kids are not allowed to keep their phones on them. Companies need to promote the parental controls on devices more. I had to follow a 3rd party guide to properly lock down my son's iPad. The TV has a code on it as well.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
Kids are being influenced by media - social media in particular - in ways unlike any generation that came before. The socialization process has been short-circuited and co-opted by corporations and random weirdos and the effect is not a good one.
azubi 1 year ago
I would have thought that it's "their", not "they're"... but then, english is a foreign language for me so I feel I have no say in that matter. May someone tell me if there have been any changes I did not yet notice?
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
I find it kind of hilarious that I'm on my computer at 10 pm as a 17-year-old with school tomorrow so I can read about how kids are addicted to screens.
Aaron Rollo 1 year ago
Well son of a b***h. It sounds like I'm doing a great job raising my kids.
Tereza Cervenakova 10 months ago
Yeah, this makes me feel really good about my parenting 🤣
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WinterLady 1 year ago
I personally think that computers have no place in elementary school. These years should be devoted to learning non-computing skills like writing, basic math etc. Computers, although important in life now, should not be introduced in school until middle school, after children have learned vital non-computing life skills.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
They said this about television in the 50s, 60s and 70s, now it's just portable screens. Kids don't go outside and play with each other anymore, a parent would have to be out with them. Sadly, thay won't know what to do if and when the infrastructure fails.
James016 1 year ago
My son has just started year 5. I know the previous year 5 kids had phones and they were collected by the teacher and given back at the end of the day. The kids are not allowed to keep their phones on them. Companies need to promote the parental controls on devices more. I had to follow a 3rd party guide to properly lock down my son's iPad. The TV has a code on it as well.
The Darkest Timeline 1 year ago
Kids are being influenced by media - social media in particular - in ways unlike any generation that came before. The socialization process has been short-circuited and co-opted by corporations and random weirdos and the effect is not a good one.
azubi 1 year ago
I would have thought that it's "their", not "they're"... but then, english is a foreign language for me so I feel I have no say in that matter. May someone tell me if there have been any changes I did not yet notice?
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
I find it kind of hilarious that I'm on my computer at 10 pm as a 17-year-old with school tomorrow so I can read about how kids are addicted to screens.
Aaron Rollo 1 year ago
Well son of a b***h. It sounds like I'm doing a great job raising my kids.
Tereza Cervenakova 10 months ago
Yeah, this makes me feel really good about my parenting 🤣
Load More Replies... WinterLady 1 year ago
I personally think that computers have no place in elementary school. These years should be devoted to learning non-computing skills like writing, basic math etc. Computers, although important in life now, should not be introduced in school until middle school, after children have learned vital non-computing life skills.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
They said this about television in the 50s, 60s and 70s, now it's just portable screens. Kids don't go outside and play with each other anymore, a parent would have to be out with them. Sadly, thay won't know what to do if and when the infrastructure fails.
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