Dear Friends of ELIANT,
This week the WHO published guidelines declaring that children under the age of one should live a completely screen-free existence.
Throughout the world private schools are increasingly insisting on screen-free lessons and disregarding the trend towards early digitalisation. By doing so they are enabling children to develop independent thinking, social competencies and creativity. Most state schools on the other hand are being kitted out with technology which already in the play group, will force children to learn how to operate digital gadgets. What is particularly concerning is that this development is being driven rapidly forward without any conscious, let alone democratic, decision making process.
ELIANT has therefore responded with a Position paper which maps out the consequences of premature digitalisation (short version). In this position paper you will find:
- Links to the results of many independent scientific studies of the neurological, psychological and behavioural effects. These studies reinforce the need for a screen-free and therefore more human focused approach to education throughout Europe.
- The key role parents play in screen-free education and the right that parents, teachers and educators should have to choose the kind of education their children need.
The purpose of this position paper is to encourage constructive dialogue between the various interest groups including the state authorities so that all children can be assured optimum health and possibilities for development. The fact sheet stating ELIANT's position can be downloaded and printed. We would be delighted if you could disseminate it widely among friends, acquaintances and representatives of interest groups. The importance of our petition campaign calling for the right to a screen-free education, will then gain even wider traction – see also our current video.
We thank everyone for their moral and financial support of this important task.
With warm greetings on behalf of the alliance
Michaela Glöckler
