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Richard Freed's avatar

Thank you for speaking the truth and speaking up for kids. I believe these industry-funded orgs masquerading as objective helpers of parents hurt all children. However, I am quite certain these orgs most betray our nation's most vulnerable kids. Tech elite parents at the top of industry and such "child-helping" organizations often know the true impact of screens and do all they can to protect their privileged kids from its harmful effects. In contrast, it's families of color and low-income who have less access to real science who are most being deceived by the screen promotions of such duplicitous organizations.

As an example, such industry-funded orgs often claim screen time is less important, even as peer-reviewed research shows it puts kids at risks for obesity and its dangerous consequences such as diabetes and the risk of early death. It's black and Latino kids--spending much more time sedentary in front of screens than white kids--who are most being decimated by obesity. I believe truly independent orgs providing child screen advice have a responsibility to call out the harmful and deceitful messaging of these industry-funded players so that all kids can can lead healthy and successful lives.

Emily Cherkin's avatar

Richard, thank YOU for all the work you've done on this. Yes, I am equally appalled by the equity claims made about why kids need more EdTech when it has the opposite effect on the most vulnerable children. We shall continue the fight together!! (And if anyone reading this hasn't read Dr. Freed's book yet, GO GET IT!). e

Richard Freed's avatar

Exactly, our nation's wealthiest parents--including the tech elite--often send their kids to schools that boast small class size, the human connection, and book reading--all elements shown to boost kids' learning success. At the same time, screen-focused education--shown to hurt kids' learning--is pushed on everyone else's kids, especially the least advantaged. If you're an advocate for less advantaged kids, I encourage you to look carefully at the funding sources of orgs such as Common Sense Media which at its heart is an EdTech/screen education, industry-funded lobbying group. Instead, Emily and those she partners with are research-based child advocates who actually have kids' best interests in mind.

Emily Cherkin's avatar

YES! THIS ⬆️.

Lassie Webster's avatar

Whoa. That is really disturbing! Thanks for the info!

Emily Cherkin's avatar

Sadly, another org to add to this list: Girls Scouts and their unfortunate partnership with Meta.

Source: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/support-us/donate/our-partners/meta.html

Libby's avatar

Such important work- thank you Emily!