Childhood memories often bring us back to simple joys: riding bikes with friends, neighborhood games, and playing outside until the streetlights came on.

Today’s children grow up in a very different world — one of instant internet access, social media designed to capture attention, and devices that connect them to friends, family, and strangers around the clock. This shift has left many students more anxious than ever.

This summer, Oak Knoll’s Lower School faculty reflected on this reality through social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Haidt describes how transitioning from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood” has reshaped development — and not always for the better.

In our summer reading discussions, my fellow teachers considered key takeaways and strategies to better support students in and out of the classroom. Here are 10 insights we hope will help parents navigate childhood anxiety in their families.

1. Protecting Children in Digital Play

Adults quickly safeguard children during physical play — from jungle gyms to recess dynamics — yet digital play can be just as risky, though less visible. Handing a child an iPad may seem harmless, but the content they encounter online can be as challenging as navigating a bully on the playground.

2. Communication Skills Need Nurturing

Strong communication is a lifelong skill that develops during the school years. While often helpful, devices can interfere with children’s ability to connect in person. Teachers noted this gap is especially clear among students whose early learning years were dominated by lockdown-era screens.

3. Constant Connectivity Creates Stress

Being “always on” isn’t just an adult problem. Just as professionals feel the pressure of late-night work emails, students feel the same strain with 24/7 access to assignments, games, and social platforms. This constant connection fuels anxiety and unrealistic expectations.

4. Online Interactions Aren’t Always Affirming

Teachers observed that online peer interactions often discouraged students, while face-to-face conversations were more likely to be supportive, authentic, and uplifting.

5. Writing Flows Better Offline

Language arts and reading teachers observed that students’ writing was often more compelling when handwritten rather than typed. Even brainstorming activities tended to be more effective offline than on a computer.

6. Research Benefits from Technology

Despite concerns, not all digital use is negative. Teachers readily acknowledged the tremendous value of online research, which puts the breadth of human knowledge at students’ fingertips. Technology can be an incredible tool when used with purpose and balance.

7. Adult Partnerships Matter More Than Ever

With digital tools and online communication starting younger and younger, teachers emphasized the need for adult involvement. Parents and educators working together — even moderating group chats for younger students — can provide guidance and establish healthy boundaries.

8. Teachers Are Learning Too

Faculty reflected on how their own screen use impacts them. Many realized how often they are pulled away from real-world moments and wanted to be more present — modeling healthier habits for their students.

9. Encourage Healthy Boundaries with Devices

Educators emphasized the importance of teaching children when to “log off.” Setting family tech-free times — such as meals, car rides, or an hour before bedtime — helps reduce anxiety and builds stronger connections.

10. Balance Tech with Play and Curiosity

Childhood anxiety is eased when students can be curious, playful, and engaged in the real world. From unstructured outdoor play to simple family activities, balancing screen time with real-life exploration fosters resilience and joy.

At the end of the day, we don’t have to reject technology to protect childhood. By using research-based strategies — and partnering as parents, teachers, and communities — we can help students harness the benefits of technology while preserving the timeless joys of curiosity, play, and human connection.

Do you have strategies that work in your home? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or on our social channels.

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Meredith Molinaro is in her third year as Lower School Counselor. She earned a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in Sociology from Elon University in North Carolina. She also holds a master's degree in social work with a clinical concentration from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Social Work in New Brunswick. She is also a certified school social worker and licensed clinical social worker.