GUEST COLUMN: Digital access has consequences for children

As this school year comes to a close, I want to make the community aware of what’s unfolding in front of educators every day. We are witnessing the quiet deterioration of childhood, placing an ever-growing burden on teachers who must manage the effects.

We’re watching a generation of kids grow up in a world where screen time is replacing playtime, where virtual communication takes the place of in-person connection, and where unfiltered content becomes the primary influence in a child’s life. It’s changing the way children learn, relate, behave and grow, and it’s showing up in our schools.

Many students are developing an unhealthy dependence on technology. They struggle to focus in class, their attention often pulled back to whatever game, video or social media interaction they were immersed in the night before. Some find it difficult to resolve conflict face-to-face, instead lashing out, giving up or shutting down. We hear language and see behaviors clearly influenced by content meant for much older audiences. Students have even accessed and shared explicit material with peers at school. The gap between what children are exposed to and what adults are aware of is growing, and the consequences are real.

All of this makes our jobs as educators more challenging, not because kids are bad, but because they are being left to navigate a digital world never designed for them and often without the tools, boundaries or support they need.

This is not a message against technology. It is a call for responsible, intentional use. For children, technology can be fun, creative and educational, but only when used with care, balance and guidance. Managing this challenge is not the school’s responsibility alone. It must be shared by parents, caregivers, educators and the entire community.

We must be a community where giving a child a smartphone or game system is not automatic, but a thoughtful decision made with full awareness of the risks. We need to talk to our kids early about the responsible use of technology. We need to set boundaries, stay involved and remain open, not to control, but to protect.

We also need to monitor and manage the technology in our children’s hands, just as we would with anything else that affects their safety and well-being. Parents should know who their children are talking to, what they’re seeing and how much time they spend on screens. Children need structure and support, not full access to a digital world they are not yet ready for.

If parents are unsure where to begin, a great place to start is waituntil8th.org, a parent-led resource that offers guidance on delaying smartphone use and promoting safer habits.

This summer, I ask Rio Rancho families to reset. Choose connection over convenience. Build in time for boredom (yes, boredom can be a good thing), creativity and real conversation. Show your kids that they matter more than a device.

Together, we can protect what matters most. And in doing so, we support the teachers who work hard every day.