Overprotection in the real world, underprotection in the digital world
Expert talk at Bavarian International School (BIS) in Munich about the use of smartphones & social media
25 March 2025
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A group of Nazis ring the doorbell of a family home: “Hello, we'd like to visit your 14-year-old son Michael”. “Sure, come in,” says the mother. A few seconds later, three barely dressed ladies are at the door. “Hello, we'd like to visit your 14-year-old son Michael”. “Of course, you’re welcome to come in,” says the mum again. No mother or father would allow this in the real world. In the digital world with smartphones and social media, however, we leave our children alone with all these dangers without any control...Smart kids vs. smartphones was the title of the 7th BIS City Talk of the Bavarian International School (BIS) at the Schwabing Campus and this little anecdote by keynote speaker & digitalisation expert Philipp Depiereux got to the heart of the matter and gave all guests a wake up call. “Overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the digital world”(Jonathan Haidt) should be replaced by more control, responsibility and a better role model function by parents. Government regulation is needed, such as the social media ban for all children up to the age of 16 in Australia; neuroscientist Prof Dr Christian Montag also proposes this top-down solution for smartphones in schools, for example. At the same time, the responsible use of digital devices in schools makes sense if it serves learning and the development of digital citizens. Digital media skills will be more important than ever in the future, as well as teaching future skills. Ultimately, all speakers recommend trusting the scientific research that the use of smartphones and social media should be postponed as long as possible..German-Californian entrepreneur Philipp Depiereux and scientist and author Prof. Dr Christian Montag were joined by education expert Dr Magdalena Balica from the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IB) and BIS Head of School Dr Chrissie Sorenson, moderated by TV host Funda Vanroy (‘Galileo’). With around 140 guests, the BIS City Talk was “sold out” (free entry).
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