Holy Rosary School recently held a campaign that saw learners disconnect from phones and social media.
The campaign is believed to be a first in SA schools.
Described as a bold and disruptive campaign, it aimed to negate the harms of social media and hopes to promote real-world connection in a digital era dominated by screens.
Technology with screens, smartphones and social media that consumes many hours of any given day has replaced play-based childhoods. The consequences of this shift are negative.
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Over the years since the launch of social media platforms and the growth of smartphones, there has been a marked increase in teen suicides, self-harm, anxiety and depression.
Holy Rosary hopes the 40 days of no phones initiative will be the first step in a larger campaign the school is driving – a smart age for smartphones.
In this campaign, the school calls for delaying smartphone ownership among children, hoping to restore a play-based childhood and protect its learners’ mental health and well-being.
Furthermore, it hopes to break the destructive addiction to screens while pushing healthier lifestyles and real-world connection and engagement.
