Why Children Need Guidance in the Digital World: The Role of Parents, Schools, and Community
In today’s world, it’s common to see children who are carefully supervised when they play in the park, cross the street, or walk to school—yet left unsupervised when they step into the far more dangerous world of the internet. As Jonathan Haidt reminds us in The Anxious Generation, “We overprotect children in the real world and underprotect them in the virtual one.”
At Hábitat Learning Community, we believe this imbalance demands urgent action. That is why we proudly joined the No es momento movement, through which many of our families pledge not to give their children smartphones before age 14, and to delay social media use until at least 16. We are convinced this is one of the most impactful ways to protect the well-being and healthy development of our students.
The Hidden Costs of Early Digital Exposure
Psychological Risks. Research is mounting on the connection between heavy social media use and rising anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues among children and teens. Dr. Jean Twenge, a leading researcher in this field, has shown that the sharpest increases in adolescent mental health struggles coincided with the widespread adoption of smartphones. Simply put, constant access to social media leaves young people more vulnerable to cyberbullying, comparison culture, and addictive digital behaviors.
Physiological Risks. Excessive screen time is linked to disrupted sleep cycles, eye strain, sedentary habits, and even higher rates of obesity. Children’s developing brains and bodies need movement, play, and rest—not the endless scroll of an algorithm designed to keep them hooked.
Social Risks. Digital hyperconnection often leads to social disconnection. Time once spent in face-to-face play, conversation, or outdoor adventures is now lost to solitary scrolling. Social media promises connection, yet too often delivers isolation.
Opportunity Costs. Every hour on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube is an hour not spent reading a book, exercising, exploring creativity, or laughing with friends. Childhood is a short window, and how our children spend their time profoundly shapes who they become.
Shocking Numbers That Parents Can’t Ignore
- Worldwide, teenagers who spend more than one hour a day on social media already show a significant increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to multiple studies.
- In Mexico, children are spending an average of 5–7 hours daily on screens, much of it unsupervised online.
- Sleep experts report that 70% of teens sleep with their phone by their bed, a habit strongly linked to insomnia and anxiety.
These statistics aren’t abstract—they represent the lived reality of the next generation. And as parents, educators, and community leaders, we must act.
Hábitat’s Leadership in Jalisco and Beyond
At Hábitat, we are not passive observers of this crisis—we are proactive leaders. By joining No es momento, we have taken a stand that resonates across Jalisco and positions our school as one of Mexico’s leaders in digital responsibility.
What makes this possible?
- Shared Commitment. Teachers and parents in our community are united in fostering the safe, responsible, and ethical use of technology.
- Educational Partnership. Through our Parents’ School, we offer workshops and conferences on child psychology, digital habits, and parenting in the digital age.
- Balanced Approach. Technology has a place in education, but only when it is used to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration—not replace human connection.
- Holistic Development. By intentionally limiting harmful exposure, we make space for children to thrive through reading, outdoor play, art, sports, and authentic friendships.
A Call to Parents
As Haidt warns, “Childhood has been rewired.” But it doesn’t have to stay that way. By delaying smartphones and social media, and by working together as a school community, we can give children the gift of presence: time to grow, imagine, explore, and build resilience in the real world.
At Hábitat Learning Community, we are proud to lead this cultural shift in Guadalajara. For families who share our conviction, Hábitat is more than a school—it is a community that protects childhood, nurtures potential, and prepares students to make a positive impact in society.
Let’s not only protect our children on the playground and in the classroom. Let’s protect them in the digital world, too.
Families are invited to learn more about Hábitat’s holistic approach through our Hábitat Preview Experience. Together, we can raise children who are not just smart, but also safe, balanced, and joyful.