Film Reveals Negative Impact of Smart Phones
September 19, 2019
The Moraga iKind Project hosted a screening of “LIKE,” an IndieFLIX documentary about social media’s effect on teens. The special event was hosted in the Campolindo Performing Arts Center (CPAC) on September 9.
The iKind Project, a Moraga-based organization, promotes kindness and inclusivity, primarily at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. However, according to iKind co-founder Eric Andresen, the organization leaders are interested in expanding the initiative. “The message definitely needed to be extended and shared for the rest of the community,” said Andresen.
The film addresses the internet’s psychological effect on teens, including depression, phone addiction and increased rates of cyber bullying.
Librarian Sarah Morgan noted that technology use has become a serious concern on campus, and is a core issue addressed in the Health and Social Development course. “We’ve had a push these last few years for students to be more media literate and using media wisely and ethically,” said Morgan.
Seniors Paige Love, Panna Vyatkin, and Adrian Bautista, who served on a student panel that discussed how the internet has affected their own lives, credited their sophomore health class for teaching them about safe and appropriate phone usage. “We were the guinea pigs for that health class, but I thought it was really great when we did it,” said Love.
Andresen said that modern technology impacts the way adolescents interact with one another and that it is vital to limit its dangerous effects on mental health. “Social media has got all sorts of pros. And it’s got a whole lot of cons. It’s a great place for communication. It’s a great place for information. But it also opens the door for all sorts of cyber bullying,” said Andresen.
The film focuses on teenagers who admitted to having an intense addiction to their phones.
Student like Love, however, felt the premise was ineffective. “It might’ve been better if they included more kids who are in the middle ground like I am where I’ll put a filter on a photo but could care less about Snapchat streaks,” she said. “That would’ve given it a more holistic view of it because I don’t want parents to freak out and be like, ‘My kids are absolutely, totally going to be engrossed in this thing.'”
“If you foster a good relationship and you raise [your kids] responsibly so they are able to do that self-discipline, then it tends to be fine,” added Love.
