Tech overload for teachers and parents | Letter
Dr Susan MacDougall says schools and universities are to blame for the excessive use of digital platforms these days
I am a parent of two and I teach at a university. I read Dr Robert Harrison’s letter (14 April) with scepticism. He writes eloquently of students using technology in “healthy, purposeful, and life-enhancing” ways. This sounds lovely, but very far from the reality that we are living.
My five-year-old’s school has furnished parents with no fewer than five technology platforms where we interact with the school; this does not include the many parent WhatsApp groups. Every swimming lesson, scout troop and karate class requires a new online platform. My son obviously doesn’t use these platforms, but does see me swearing at my phone whenever I try to log on to one since I cannot possibly remember so many passwords.
