Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Students’ use — or misuse — of computers was the concern when parent and teacher Melissa Hostetter addressed the District 186 school board this week.

“Many of our students have an unhealthy relationship with their Chromebook; whether it is game-playing, movie-watching or emailing friends throughout the day, Chromebooks are not primarily used as an academic device,” said Hostetter.

“A guest piece in The New York Times, aptly titled, ‘The Screen That Ate Your Child’s Education‘ — I would also add, ‘Your Child’s Attention Span and Handwriting Skills’ — gave many facts and figures around the failure that has been school-issued devices as well as suggestions.”

Hostetter said the youngest students do not need access to devices at school or home. Middle-schoolers, she said, can leave the devices at school. And, she added, no school-issued device needs access to YouTube.

Hostetter advised parents to check their children’s browsing history and ask how the computer is helping them learn.

She also cited a survey by Common Sense Media that reported 25 percent of teenagers have viewed pornography during the school day, with almost half that group viewing it on a school-issued device.