Refusing technology in elementary

[Anonymous]

Just moved here from out of state from a school that was no tech for early elementary. I didn’t realize my child was on you tube until just checking that Lightspeed site. When the kids are using YouTube, are they exposed to advertisements?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just moved here from out of state from a school that was no tech for early elementary. I didn’t realize my child was on you tube until just checking that Lightspeed site. When the kids are using YouTube, are they exposed to advertisements?

YouTube is completely unrestricted - just like you would access at home.

You can go into the parental controls and turn it off. The kids have found a few work arounds but it's better than nothing. In ES, if you kids don't need intervention, they spend at least an hour a day on computers with no supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just moved here from out of state from a school that was no tech for early elementary. I didn’t realize my child was on you tube until just checking that Lightspeed site. When the kids are using YouTube, are they exposed to advertisements?

Yes and frequently inappropriate content.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved here from out of state from a school that was no tech for early elementary. I didn’t realize my child was on you tube until just checking that Lightspeed site. When the kids are using YouTube, are they exposed to advertisements?

YouTube is completely unrestricted - just like you would access at home.

You can go into the parental controls and turn it off. The kids have found a few work arounds but it's better than nothing. In ES, if you kids don't need intervention, they spend at least an hour a day on computers with no supervision.

This bit on no supervision for ES kids at intervention time is not true across all schools. My kid’s school does walk to intervention and everyone gets intervention at their level so the kids who don’t have any grade level skill gaps to strengthen all go to a classroom together and get enrichment extension from a teacher during the intervention time. Each teacher in the grade level is teaching at a different level during intervention time. It’s live instruction, no computers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s one thing to not want edtech ir YouTube… but especially in upper elementary, there are writing assignments, slide shows, research that are completed and turned in on computers.

Writing drafts should be done on paper.
Kids don't need to do slide shows.
Research should be via books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:How much time do you think your child is spending on the computer? It's not very much at all. You can look at light speed - it's like 20-30 minutes a day and it's on Lexia, Canva, etc - this is for a 4th grader. My 8th grader uses her computer to track assignments, do google slides, email teachers, etc., but the actual school work is primarily done on paper. I think some of you are freaking out over nothing. It's not like elementary kids are on their laptop all day long.

Not true. They typically use the computer during intervention time. Computers are also out all of math block so students can use the online computer. They may also be out in language arts for writing. Elementary school students do not need to be on a computer so much.

LOL! I get that my children's experiences may not be the same as yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't true! Every school is different - I have a 4th grader who is rarely on her laptop, the school admin made a conscious choice based on feedback several years ago to limit laptop time. I get the lightspeed reports so I know that it's not much.

There should be more consistency and policies against heavy tech use, especially in elementary and as much of middle school as possible.

Also, lightspeed is well-intentioned but not accurate. Students know how to disable lightspeed, use proxies, or even sign in to other Google accounts to bypass lightspeed. Students also use Gmail and Google drive for social reasons, including cyber bullying, cyber harassment, arranging bathroom meetups, and sending inappropriate photos.

Follow Jonathon Haidt and Scrolling2Death on social media and podcasts for good info and references on the impact of technology in schools.

Sounds like you raised a shitty kid, frankly. You're going to say "you have no idea what your kids are doing" but nope, my kids are doing the right thing. We have boundaries in our household and kids get in trouble for doing things they are not supposed to do. Sorry your kids suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much time do you think your child is spending on the computer? It's not very much at all. You can look at light speed - it's like 20-30 minutes a day and it's on Lexia, Canva, etc - this is for a 4th grader. My 8th grader uses her computer to track assignments, do google slides, email teachers, etc., but the actual school work is primarily done on paper. I think some of you are freaking out over nothing. It's not like elementary kids are on their laptop all day long.

Not true. They typically use the computer during intervention time. Computers are also out all of math block so students can use the online computer. They may also be out in language arts for writing. Elementary school students do not need to be on a computer so much.

LOL! I get that my children's experiences may not be the same as yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't true! Every school is different - I have a 4th grader who is rarely on her laptop, the school admin made a conscious choice based on feedback several years ago to limit laptop time. I get the lightspeed reports so I know that it's not much.

There should be more consistency and policies against heavy tech use, especially in elementary and as much of middle school as possible.

Also, lightspeed is well-intentioned but not accurate. Students know how to disable lightspeed, use proxies, or even sign in to other Google accounts to bypass lightspeed. Students also use Gmail and Google drive for social reasons, including cyber bullying, cyber harassment, arranging bathroom meetups, and sending inappropriate photos.

Follow Jonathon Haidt and Scrolling2Death on social media and podcasts for good info and references on the impact of technology in schools.

Sounds like you raised a shitty kid, frankly. You're going to say "you have no idea what your kids are doing" but nope, my kids are doing the right thing. We have boundaries in our household and kids get in trouble for doing things they are not supposed to do. Sorry your kids suck.

I knew kids like yours in HS. They were the most fun at the parties...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just moved here from out of state from a school that was no tech for early elementary. I didn’t realize my child was on you tube until just checking that Lightspeed site. When the kids are using YouTube, are they exposed to advertisements?

YouTube is completely unrestricted - just like you would access at home.

You can go into the parental controls and turn it off. The kids have found a few work arounds but it's better than nothing. In ES, if you kids don't need intervention, they spend at least an hour a day on computers with no supervision.

This bit on no supervision for ES kids at intervention time is not true across all schools. My kid’s school does walk to intervention and everyone gets intervention at their level so the kids who don’t have any grade level skill gaps to strengthen all go to a classroom together and get enrichment extension from a teacher during the intervention time. Each teacher in the grade level is teaching at a different level during intervention time. It’s live instruction, no computers.

That sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, it's not how it works at our school. There are a handful of kids VERY behind and intervention is focused on them. The others have time to do work (my kid has not brought home work all year yet it comes home graded so I know he does it) or whatever keeps them quiet. It's usually laptops.

[Anonymous]

So everyone who is anti-tech, do you not care about test scores that your child takes on computers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much time do you think your child is spending on the computer? It's not very much at all. You can look at light speed - it's like 20-30 minutes a day and it's on Lexia, Canva, etc - this is for a 4th grader. My 8th grader uses her computer to track assignments, do google slides, email teachers, etc., but the actual school work is primarily done on paper. I think some of you are freaking out over nothing. It's not like elementary kids are on their laptop all day long.

Not true. They typically use the computer during intervention time. Computers are also out all of math block so students can use the online computer. They may also be out in language arts for writing. Elementary school students do not need to be on a computer so much.

LOL! I get that my children's experiences may not be the same as yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't true! Every school is different - I have a 4th grader who is rarely on her laptop, the school admin made a conscious choice based on feedback several years ago to limit laptop time. I get the lightspeed reports so I know that it's not much.

There should be more consistency and policies against heavy tech use, especially in elementary and as much of middle school as possible.

Also, lightspeed is well-intentioned but not accurate. Students know how to disable lightspeed, use proxies, or even sign in to other Google accounts to bypass lightspeed. Students also use Gmail and Google drive for social reasons, including cyber bullying, cyber harassment, arranging bathroom meetups, and sending inappropriate photos.

Follow Jonathon Haidt and Scrolling2Death on social media and podcasts for good info and references on the impact of technology in schools.

Sounds like you raised a shitty kid, frankly. You're going to say "you have no idea what your kids are doing" but nope, my kids are doing the right thing. We have boundaries in our household and kids get in trouble for doing things they are not supposed to do. Sorry your kids suck.

I knew kids like yours in HS. They were the most fun at the parties...

Raising the most fun kid at a party is not really what most of us are aiming for, LOL!

[Anonymous]

My college aged kid brought home reams of worksheets and people complained. I don't think this is much different, it's just a different medium.

Personally, I try not to be a Luddite, but I know the low-tech ship has sailed. My college kid purchased textbooks...but all online. This is a car and buggy whip situation; it's never going back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much time do you think your child is spending on the computer? It's not very much at all. You can look at light speed - it's like 20-30 minutes a day and it's on Lexia, Canva, etc - this is for a 4th grader. My 8th grader uses her computer to track assignments, do google slides, email teachers, etc., but the actual school work is primarily done on paper. I think some of you are freaking out over nothing. It's not like elementary kids are on their laptop all day long.

Not true. They typically use the computer during intervention time. Computers are also out all of math block so students can use the online computer. They may also be out in language arts for writing. Elementary school students do not need to be on a computer so much.

LOL! I get that my children's experiences may not be the same as yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't true! Every school is different - I have a 4th grader who is rarely on her laptop, the school admin made a conscious choice based on feedback several years ago to limit laptop time. I get the lightspeed reports so I know that it's not much.

There should be more consistency and policies against heavy tech use, especially in elementary and as much of middle school as possible.

Also, lightspeed is well-intentioned but not accurate. Students know how to disable lightspeed, use proxies, or even sign in to other Google accounts to bypass lightspeed. Students also use Gmail and Google drive for social reasons, including cyber bullying, cyber harassment, arranging bathroom meetups, and sending inappropriate photos.

Follow Jonathon Haidt and Scrolling2Death on social media and podcasts for good info and references on the impact of technology in schools.

Sounds like you raised a shitty kid, frankly. You're going to say "you have no idea what your kids are doing" but nope, my kids are doing the right thing. We have boundaries in our household and kids get in trouble for doing things they are not supposed to do. Sorry your kids suck.

I knew kids like yours in HS. They were the most fun at the parties...

Raising the most fun kid at a party is not really what most of us are aiming for, LOL!

DP. I think PP meant that if you think you know everything your kids are doing, you are probably kidding yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much time do you think your child is spending on the computer? It's not very much at all. You can look at light speed - it's like 20-30 minutes a day and it's on Lexia, Canva, etc - this is for a 4th grader. My 8th grader uses her computer to track assignments, do google slides, email teachers, etc., but the actual school work is primarily done on paper. I think some of you are freaking out over nothing. It's not like elementary kids are on their laptop all day long.

Not true. They typically use the computer during intervention time. Computers are also out all of math block so students can use the online computer. They may also be out in language arts for writing. Elementary school students do not need to be on a computer so much.

LOL! I get that my children's experiences may not be the same as yours, but that doesn't mean it isn't true! Every school is different - I have a 4th grader who is rarely on her laptop, the school admin made a conscious choice based on feedback several years ago to limit laptop time. I get the lightspeed reports so I know that it's not much.

There should be more consistency and policies against heavy tech use, especially in elementary and as much of middle school as possible.

Also, lightspeed is well-intentioned but not accurate. Students know how to disable lightspeed, use proxies, or even sign in to other Google accounts to bypass lightspeed. Students also use Gmail and Google drive for social reasons, including cyber bullying, cyber harassment, arranging bathroom meetups, and sending inappropriate photos.

Follow Jonathon Haidt and Scrolling2Death on social media and podcasts for good info and references on the impact of technology in schools.

Sounds like you raised a shitty kid, frankly. You're going to say "you have no idea what your kids are doing" but nope, my kids are doing the right thing. We have boundaries in our household and kids get in trouble for doing things they are not supposed to do. Sorry your kids suck.

I knew kids like yours in HS. They were the most fun at the parties...

Raising the most fun kid at a party is not really what most of us are aiming for, LOL!

DP. I think PP meant that if you think you know everything your kids are doing, you are probably kidding yourself.

Yes, well, I don't want to be the "fun mom" getting kids drunk in my basement like her, so my kids know when to call me when they want a ride home no questions asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So everyone who is anti-tech, do you not care about test scores that your child takes on computers?

They are not a good indicator of your child’s intelligence in elementary school. Paper and pencil test is what I give a lot more weight to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's a draft email to send to the school.

Dear Principal -
I’m reaching out because our family would like to significantly limit Larlo's use of technology during the school day as much as reasonably possible.

I understand FCPS uses technology as part of instruction and that there may not be a way to opt out of all digital tools across the board.
That said, I want to make sure we are using every available FCPS option and school-level alternative to minimize screen time and third-party websites/programs for [Child Name].
Here’s what we are doing on our end:
We will complete the Parent Digital Consent (PDC) forms in ParentVUE and opt out of any optional technology services and third-party platforms where an alternative is available.
We would like to decline an FCPS-issued device for [Child Name] (and use whatever process/forms are required).
What I’m asking from the school:
A list of the digital platforms/websites currently used with [Child Name]’s grade/classroom, and which ones are considered required vs. optional.
For any “optional” tools that require parent consent, confirmation of the non-digital alternatives that will be provided if we opt out.
Where feasible, help identifying opportunities for paper-based or offline options for daily work (classwork/homework) to reduce routine screen exposure.
I’m not trying to make things harder for the teachers — I just want to be clear and proactive so we’re aligned on what is and isn’t possible, and so [Child Name] can still fully participate.
Thank you for your help. If it’s easier, I’m happy to jump on a quick call to walk through the platforms and the opt-out process.
Warmly,
Parent of Larlo

LOL