As we approach the end of the year, there are many things to celebrate and reflect on. During our junior prizegivings, I will be covering themes of gratitude, our Waitākere Way values, and the impact of cell phones and social media on anxiety, as well as the concept of 'unobtanium.'
The 'Away for the Day' phone plan has been a success. The college has become a calmer environment for learning and socialization. We have noticed lower signs of stress and anxiety across the campus, and more students are engaging in physical activities during breaks. At interval, students are eating lunch, and lunchtime now feels energetic and active.
Cell phones and social media keep students 'on all day,' constantly responding to notifications, vibration alerts, and text prompts. This constant connectivity prevents their brains and bodies from flushing out the anxiety chemicals that build up and contribute to stress. Our young people often feel as if they are caught in an endless race, like a bad dream that has become normalised—a state they can't seem to escape.
Furthermore, our rangatahi are exposed to the concept of 'unobtanium.' They see images of others who appear to be 'perfect' - the best makeup, smiles, long lashes, and toned bodies - that we are led to believe are real and the norm. This perception is unrealistic and unattainable.
It’s important to love yourself and embrace the idea of 'being imperfect.' With careful management of cell phones and social media, we can find moments to breathe calmly, appreciate the world around us, think critically, learn better, and live happily while embracing being 'imperfect'
Ngā mihi
Mark P Shanahan
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