Teens are constantly being bombarded with online messages, and have a significant amount of screen time in their lives. We have observed that our members are spending more and more time on their technology on social media and playing video games and much less time engaging with programs, staff, and each other.
This behavior negatively impacts the mission and impact statement of the Club, and directly affects the work the Club is doing to engage and inspire members.
Many families in our community have indicated that the unsupervised phone use in the Club affects their decision to have their children become members. Parents are looking for a safe, supervised, technology limited/free after school experience for their children.
Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro equips youth with essential skills and attitudes to lead healthy, productive lives in vocation, community service, and environmental stewardship.
The Club offers enriching programming aimed at promoting 21st Century Skills and empowering youth to see expanded possibilities for their lives.
Primary program areas focus on:
In support of these goals, we have developed a new device policy to be implemented in January 2022. This policy does not prohibit all phone use, but it limits phone time as outlined below. We hope to create a “phone free oasis” where members can have a welcome break from social media and other online activities that distract from personal interaction. Most (if not all) youth-serving organizations in Brattleboro have similar phone-free policies. We are modeling this policy on the WSESU policy at Brattleboro Area Middle School, where the majority of our members are students.
“Using a cell phone or other electronic items, bringing these items to school is at the student’s and family’s discretion. Electronic devices not issued by a teacher during the school day are strictly prohibited—they may not be used or seen in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, locker rooms or any other location in the school between the hours of 8:33am-3:30pm. Cell phone usage includes, and is not limited to: making a call, answering a call, checking messages, text messaging, checking for a signal, checking for the time, or taking pictures.”
If a member violates this policy and uses their device outside of the allowed time, the Club will take disciplinary action.
First Violation – Member phone is confiscated upon violation and placed in the Executive Director or some other secure office. The member can retrieve their phone when they leave the building. Member will need to meet with the Executive Director to review the phone policy
Second Violation – For one week, each time the member comes to the club, their phone is confiscated and placed in a secure location. The member will not have access to their phone during “technology time” Member will need to meet with the Executive Director to review the phone policy. Member parents/caregivers are notified.
Third Violation – Member parents/caregivers will be called to pick them up. Member, parent/caregiver, and Executive Director meet together to discuss plan of action.