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Administrator’s Corner by Tyler Johnson

Just look up. Albert Lea Area Schools had Minnesota native author and motivational speaker Joe Beckman come talk to staff, students and families at the start of the year. Each teacher in the district was given a copy of his book, “Just Look Up.” The overall message of the book is that human connections matter and provide, what Joe considers, five life-saving phrases every human needs to hear. Each month Southwest staff have been reading a chapter from this book and reflecting on it. This past month the chapter we read was also the name of the book, “Just Look Up.”

Without giving away too much detail, the overall message from this chapter was how certain things during periods of time in our history were deemed acceptable, like smoking cigarettes in hospitals, planes, even schools, are now no longer acceptable once we understood the health impacts. The “new addiction” facing us is our screens. Here are some statistics:

• The average American looks down at their screen every 10 minutes.
• The average teen spends over 7 1/2 hours a day on screens merely for entertainment.
• Increasing screen time is associated with negative self-concept and an increased risk of obesity.
• Screen time may be related to a decrease in both sleep quality and sleep duration.
• Using screens for long periods of time has been associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.

The list could continue. This is not just a problem with our youth, but almost everyone across the world who has access to a device connected to the internet. I am just as guilty as anyone. Am I suggesting we get rid of phones, Ipads and any other electronic device that is connected to the internet? Of course not. Like anything, moderation is key in my opinion. The more time we spend on our screens, the less time we have to build connections with a friend, loved one, neighbor, etc.

What can we do? “Just Look Up.” Be more intentional about spending time off screens. Create times during the day, whether by yourself or with your family, where you don’t allow yourself to look at screens. If you have children you can help them by keeping their screens out of their bedrooms at night. A few alternative activities you can engage in are join a club, find activities to do or volunteer with different organizations. Encouraging individuals to spend less time on screens is an approach towards promoting a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of real-world connections and well-being. Don’t forget to just look up.

Tyler Johnson is principal of Southwest Middle School.