District's Embrace of Tech Sparks Concern Over Students' Health

Naperville School District 203 is facing criticism for its decision to incorporate Google Classroom and other technology programs into its curriculum. Whitney Glowacki, a concerned parent, argues that this move is detrimental to students' development. She claims that exposure to tech at young ages can have serious adverse effects on children's health, including obesity, behavioral problems, sleep irregularities, and poor academic performance.

According to the National Library of Medicine/National Center for Biotechnology information, recent research suggests that screen media use may have long-term negative effects on children's health. Glowacki points out that parents are not being given the opportunity to opt-out of these programs, and that the district is prioritizing technology investments over teachers' salaries and bus drivers' pay.

Glowacki cites scientific studies that show individual screen time can damage developing brains, and that relationships between higher media use and brain structure begin to manifest in early childhood. She argues that test scores are not improving as promised by private companies, and that students are losing basic life skills due to over-reliance on technology.