The Essence of Digital Wellness: One School's Practical Approach
In the heart of Massachusetts, St. John's Preparatory School (St. John's Prep) has taken a significant step forward in its approach to teaching students about interacting with technology and the digital world. Four years ago, the school transitioned from traditional digital citizenship education to a more holistic digital wellness approach, under the guidance of Kerry Gallagher, an assistant principal and the education director for ConnectSafely, an internet safety nonprofit.
Digital wellness, as defined by Gallagher, is an approach that is divided into four categories: digital wellness for the body, digital wellness for the brain, digital wellness for the heart, and digital wellness for the village.
Digital wellness for the body focuses on the physical impact of screen interactions, including sleep, eye health, exercise, and nutrition. Digital wellness for the brain, on the other hand, concentrates on cognitive aspects such as focus, multitasking, and creativity.
The heart of digital wellness, however, lies in its emotional and social dimensions. Discussions about topics like FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and body-image issues are part of digital wellness for the heart. This aspect also emphasises the importance of encouraging civic engagement among students, even before they reach voting age, through digital means.
Digital wellness for the village encourages students to use technology to build relationships with friends, family, teachers, and experts in their fields of interest. It is a community-oriented approach that encourages open dialogue and shared responsibility.
The first step in implementing the digital wellness program was meeting with teachers from each department and discussing how digital wellness integrates naturally into their curriculum. This collaborative approach ensures that digital wellness becomes an integral part of the school's culture, not something special or separate.
Student participation and buy-in are essential components of having a successful digital wellness program. At St. John's Prep, this is achieved through community guidelines and norms being posted in every classroom, encouraging students to take an active role in shaping their digital environment.
Kerry Gallagher, who leads the organization called Internet Society, which focuses on internet security and related issues, provides a weekly digital wellness tip to the school community and regularly meets with parents to discuss their concerns about their children's technology use.
These guidelines help ensure that any student who goes outside the norms can be addressed by anyone in the community, fostering a culture of support and understanding. Gallagher states that digital citizenship leaves gaps in the concerns that teachers and parents are expressing, and it does not address the content children consume online or its impact on their self-confidence. By adopting a holistic digital wellness approach, St. John's Prep aims to fill these gaps and provide a comprehensive education for its students.
However, it's important to note that this article does not provide information on cyberbullying, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), or ways to prevent cyberbullying. These are crucial aspects of digital wellness that require dedicated attention and resources.
In conclusion, St. John's Prep's shift to a digital wellness approach is a commendable step towards preparing its students for the digital age. By focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of digital interactions, the school is equipping its students with the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Read also:
- Setting Up and Expanding Operations at a Soil Blending Facility
- Surveying the Scene: Legality, Drones, and American Anti-Terror Strategy
- Regional University's healthcare system strengthened through collaborative partnership with Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill
- Catastrophic wildfire smoke is projected to claim numerous lives by the year 2050, predicts new study
