Watching YouTube. Playing Fortnite. Maintaining a SnapStreak. Commenting on YOLO. Bingeing on Riverdale. Sneaking porn. ‘gramming pretty much everything.
The Christchurch massacre livestream was like “watching a video game,” according to many viewers. And not just any video game: the massively popular survival-based sensation Fortnite.
Fortnite is the most popular game on the planet right now - and it’s reportedly fuelling a massive spike in VPN use by students around the globe.
It was great to speak with Kathryn Ryan from Radio New Zealand on the problem of smartphones in schools. Many of the schools we talk with are concerned about the rise of smartphone use in schools, and say that the majority of secondary school students now own a smartphone.
While digital technology shapes the modern learning environment, teachers are increasingly dealing with digital distraction in the classroom.
The online and physical worlds are merging in every sphere of modern life - and education is no exception. The resulting risks are well known. But there are also benefits. Schools’ ability to identify at-risk students is one of them.