This blog was first published on Adam Hummel’s Catch Substack.
In Netflix’s recent docudrama Adolescence, we meet Jamie Miller, a 13 year-old boy who commits an unthinkable act. The story that follows unpacks a dangerous mix of isolation, rejection and toxic online influences that ultimately propel him to violence. It’s a chilling reminder of how deeply young people are affected by the digital world around them and how important it is that we, as adults, remain vigilant about the impact of technology on their development.
Adolescence is more than just a series about a tragedy — it’s a stark wake-up call.
Over the years, I’ve seen, firsthand, the repercussions of our students’ relationships to technology. As principal of Bialik Hebrew Day School, I’ve had to suspend students for misusing social media in ways that hurt themselves and others. The things that go on in group chats and private messages — whether it’s bullying, exclusion or harmful rumours — have the ability to disrupt school culture in ways I never imagined when I started my career in educational administration. What’s more, every incident has major ripple effects.
Judaism teaches us Shmirat Halashon, the importance of guarding our speech. Our tradition understands how powerful words can be: they can build or destroy, uplift or humiliate. What we are seeing in digital spaces, however, is a new frontier for Lashon Hara (harmful speech) — one that spreads more quickly, pervasively and harmfully than ever before. And when our children are immersed in these digital conversations without the emotional maturity or skills to navigate them, the damage can be profound.
It’s not just the big, glaring issues that are a problem. It’s the many, insidious effects that weigh on me. Teachers — veterans of the classroom — are noticing a marked drop in students’ attention spans. Kids who once had excellent study skills are now distracted by the constant pull of their phones. Focus is fragmented, conversations are stilted, and the genuine engagement we used to see in students is slipping away. It’s hard to ignore when we’re seeing it every day, and it’s deeply concerning.
That’s why, together with some concerned Bialik parents, we launched Unplugged Bialik, an initiative designed to help students reclaim focus, connection and the art of simply being present in a world that’s become increasingly defined by digital distractions. Inspired to act right away by Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, the parents saw the harm in giving their young children unfettered access to technology and social media and approached our Administration to take action together.
Unplugged Bialik is not just about banning phones in school. It’s about reaffirming our Jewish values — creating a space where Kavod (respect), Kehillah (community), and Tzelem Elohim (the divine spark within every person) are nurtured. This is where Jonathan Haidt’s groundbreaking work in The Anxious Generation becomes so relevant. In his book, Haidt highlights four main recommendations for creating healthier environments for children in the age of smartphones and social media:
- No smartphones before high school: Haidt argues that smartphones are too powerful a tool for adolescents, especially before they’ve developed the emotional and cognitive maturity to handle them responsibly.
- No social media before 16: Social media platforms thrive on comparison, competition and validation. Haidt believes that exposing kids to these pressures too early significantly contributes to the mental health crisis we’re seeing in youth today.
- No phones in schools: Phones in classrooms distract students from learning and foster a culture of constant interruption. Haidt suggests that schools should set firm boundaries around phone use to ensure students can focus on the present moment.
- More free, independent play: Haidt advocates for unstructured play as essential to developing creativity, problem-solving skills and emotional resilience. Play allows kids to learn how to navigate the world and gain independence through self-directed experiences.
These points resonate deeply with us at Bialik. We’re not just following a trend. We’re answering a sacred call to action — a chance to give our kids back what has been taken from them by an over-connected, overstimulating world. Our sages teach that Derech Eretz Kadma l’Torah — common decency precedes Torah. How can we expect our students to learn and express their Jewish values if they are constantly pulled away from being fully present?
The Unplugged Bialik initiative is not without its challenges. Some students might be resistant, and some parents may initially feel uncomfortable. But the truth is, this is a bold stand for what’s right. We’re giving our kids the space they need to be kids again. We’re encouraging them to disconnect from their screens and reconnect with themselves, their peers and their teachers.
The Early Successes of Unplugged Bialik
In the few weeks since the program launched, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many families have committed to delaying smartphone use and social media access — for their more than 400 children — until after Grade 8. These are families who are putting the health and well-being of their (more than 400) children first — families who are actively slowing down, stepping back and asking themselves whether their kids really need smartphones and social media at all.
This shift is more than just a number. It’s a movement rooted in Areyvut — the Jewish value of mutual responsibility. Parents are talking. They’re leaning into hard conversations. They’re choosing intention over convenience. And there’s a collective sense that we’ve been moving too fast, and that it’s time to reconsider what it means to be connected in today’s world.
The buzz around Unplugged Bialik is spreading and it’s creating conversations that are slowly but surely altering the trajectory of how we engage with technology in our school and beyond.
This is how change starts. Together, we have the power to reverse the immense damage that smartphones and social media have done to an entire generation of children. The damage requires bold action — and we’re taking it.
Unplugged Bialik isn’t just a program, it’s a mindset. It’s a community-wide commitment to supporting each other in raising children who are emotionally grounded and ready to face the world in ways that go beyond the digital surface.
Thanks to the leadership of our Unplugged Bialik parent ambassadors, this movement is already gaining traction. We’re not just doing this for our own school — we’re actively seeking to partner with other schools across the GTA and they have been reaching out to us. Because we believe this could be a turning point for our children and for our community.
Unplugged Bialik is the first step in a much larger vision: creating a network of schools and communities where kids can thrive, rooted in Jewish values, free from the constant pull of their screens, and supported by a Kehillah that believes in their potential.
Together, we can shift the cultural narrative. Together, we can show our children what it looks like to live a life that’s fully present, deeply connected to other people, and inspired by the timeless wisdom of our tradition.
This is just the start.