When I was a teenager, the challenge was TV. It often
promoted values at odds with traditional Jewish life and, even at its best, was
little more than “bubble gum” for the mind - wasting time and distracting from
studies.
About 30 years ago, TV became secondary to the internet. The
ease of accessing inappropriate content led some religious leaders to call for
an outright ban. Remember the “Asifa”? But porn was not the only concern.
Heretical ideas became just as accessible, leading many to question the
fundamentals of Judaism and even belief in God.
Then came smartphones, making any meaningful ban nearly
impossible. Despite ongoing efforts, they are simply too useful to eliminate.
Filters became the fallback.
Now we face AI - an even more powerful tool. It is already
being used productively, even by prominent Talmidei Chachomim. Banning
something so useful is unrealistic.
The broader world recognizes these dangers. Not only are
Orthodox schools banning smartphones during school hours, public schools are
also increasingly banning them too. Some policymakers are considering age
restrictions.
But the real challenge begins after school. And that’s where
the problem lies. Choosing the right school then becomes critical.
Studies show that heavy social media use harms both learning
and social development, not to mention related issues like online gambling.
Which is increasingly being found among young school age people. These are
serious concerns.
In response, many parents let fear guide their decisions...
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