“Why are kids today more anxious than ever, more depressed than ever, more risk-averse than ever, lonelier than ever, and less social than ever?"
Bialik parents have pledged!
students will now be free to play!
This is the question asked by social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt. He seeks to answer these burning issues in his research-based, bestselling book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.
Bialik parents and educators have expressed their concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on students as young as Grade 1. We are pleased that Bialik will be strictly implementing its bell-to-bell phone-free school policy going forward. We believe this creates an environment in which our children can learn, undistracted, and have opportunities for healthy play and social interaction with other students.
But this is not enough. And we need to act together.
Jonathan Haidt’s research is gaining attention among the parents in our community and across the globe. There is growing consensus that we must act now!
The Four Norms
There is power in numbers and we need your support. Let’s prevent our kids from being put in the situation where they come to you and say “But I am the only kid without a smartphone!”
Bialik, together with our Unplugged Bialik parent ambassadors, has decided to adopt and promote Jonathan Haidt’s four norms:
No Smartphones
No smartphones for kids while they are students at Bialik
No Social Media
No social media for kids while they are students at Bialik
Phone-free School
Bell-to-bell phone-free school with phones locked away during school
More Independence
More independence, free play and real-world responsibility for our kids
You Can Take Action
When we consider the health and wellness of our children, we know that we must take immediate action to deal with the problems caused by smartphone use. This is why Bialik parents, in partnership with the school, are urging all families to take action.
Testimonals
A collective effort is needed
As parents of four young children, we are deeply passionate about the Unplugged Bialik initiative. We believe that tackling this issue requires a collective effort from society, beginning with parents and extending to school leaders. A bottom-up approach led by parents, combined with a top-down strategy from school administrations, creates a powerful framework for change.
Brie and Jeffrey Kimel
Joining a community of like-minded families
This isn’t simply about withholding devices; it’s about granting them the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships and a deeper understanding of themselves—free from the constant pull of digital enticements. By joining a community of like-minded families, we hope to create conditions in which children can develop the resilience, empathy, and mental clarity essential to leading fulfilled lives.
Aaron and Sammi Libfeld
Meaningful interactions and shared experiences
The constant impulse to turn to a screen for answers or validation pulls us away from meaningful interactions and shared experiences. Instead, we want to foster curiosity and problem-solving within our family, encouraging each other to ask questions, share knowledge, and grow closer through collaboration.
Sean Earhard and Brandi Hamm
Upcoming Events
Parent Education Session (Viewmount)
Unplugged Bialik is thrilled to announce our first dedicated parent speaker, Katy Albert, who will present Let's Talk…
Learn MoreParent Education Session (Himel)
Unplugged Bialik is thrilled to announce our first dedicated parent speaker, Katy Albert, who will present Let's Talk…
Learn MoreCoffee Mornings
Parent Ambassadors and our school Social Workers will be hosting coffee mornings for parents to learn more and get in…
Learn More