Central Finns' initiative: Lessons without phones
The young people of central Finland show the direction. The youth council of Central Finland handed over the initiative of free lessons on phones to the cultural leadership of Central Finland. The Youth Council proposes that all schools in Central Finland change the order rules so that phones are not displayed during lessons. Äänekoski already has guidelines for the use of cell phones in schools and during lessons.
"One notification after another flashes on the phone: new photo, video, message, comment... The hand grabs the hook and scrolls. Over and over again. The ability to concentrate becomes weak, the thoughts do not stay together. What was actually discussed in class? What if you never had your phone on and could be completely at peace?”
Deteriorating PISA results and the decline in the level of well-being of the young generation is a worrying problem. Young people suffer from concentration difficulties, anxiety, lack of motivation, mental health problems and sleep problems. Many even suffer from exclusion, the feeling of loneliness and the decay of social life. For example, increased social media following has been found to be linked to difficulty concentrating and increased anxiety.
The young people of Central Finland are leading the way and, as pioneers, have tackled without prejudice an issue that is being discussed all over Finland and the world: the use of telephones during school days. Meeri Nissinen, chairman of the Central Finland Youth Council, handed over the Lessons Without Phones initiative to the network of cultural leaders of Central Finland in Äänekoski on 12.9.2024 September XNUMX.
Young people need boundaries
According to Nissinen, at the Youth Forum of the Central Finland Youth Council, concerns about the disadvantages of the phone in the school world came up in the spring. Young people feel that at school, their thoughts are filled with the world of the phone and face-to-face activities with friends have decreased.
- Who would be able to focus on studying history when Tiktok and chats are at hand. Increasingly, breaks are losing their meaning when, instead of recovering, exercising and dealing with things learned, people spend their free time sitting on their phones, says Nissinen.
- The problem is difficult both at the individual and community level. It is very difficult for an individual, especially a young person, to break free from this kind of addiction on their own. That is why we also want to give responsibility for fixing the problem to the decision-makers, Nissinen emphasizes.
Good ways to prevent the harm caused by the phone, in addition to limiting the use of the phone, are the students' organized recess activities and grouping. It is important for a growing person to feel that he belongs somewhere and is part of a community.
The young people's initiative was accepted by Kari Pirinen, the development manager of the Central Finland Association, and Niina Rautanen, the education and training director of Äänekoski.
- It is gratifying that the young people of Central Finland are so active and that such an initiative comes from the young people themselves. We want to hear and support young people. This is an excellent opening for a joint discussion on this theme, thanks Kari Pirinen.
In Central Finland, a joint discussion takes place between young people and decision-makers in different forums. For example, the network of cultural leaders in Central Finland meets with representatives of the youth council annually.
For more information:
Meeri Nissinen, chairman of the Central Finland Youth Council, tel. 040 930 4134, meeri.nissinen(at)gmail.com
Nina Peränen, director of services, Wellbeing and partnerships, Central Finland welfare area, tel. 050 594 6783, nina.peranen(at)hyvaks.fi
Enni Huotari, regional development specialist, Federation of Central Finland, tel. 040 675 9945, enni.huotari(at)keskisuomi.fi
Kari Pirinen, development manager, Federation of Central Finland, tel. 040 720 6918, kari.pirinen(at)keskisuomi.fi
Niina Rautanen, Director of Education and Education City of Äänekoski, tel. 040 514 8102, niina.rautanen(at)aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 13.9.2024 at 10:16