The 2024-25 school year is just weeks away from ending summer break for children and teens all across the region.

We hope that as pencil cases are stocked and new shoes are bought, parents are also taking the time to counsel their young learners in tech use and etiquette.

Seneca Valley this week approved a new artificial intelligence use policy. Such policies likely will find their way to every school district in the area, as instances of improper use by students to cheat on homework become even more common.

Another tech concern is — and for several years has been — cellphones in class. They are distracting to the user and to their classmates, and they can be used to cheat on tests. It’s also difficult to police them in a classroom. Some parents will rightly say their children need them for emergencies. But those emergencies will be just as important if the cellphone is sitting in a box at the front of the classroom with the teacher.

But most importantly, parents need to be the first line of defense on this topic. Their children will be more focused and less distracting when their phones are left in their lockers, with the teacher, or, better yet, at home.

Many, if not all, students will be provided with a computer. While it’s handy to not have to lug around textbooks anymore, the computers are pricey, delicate machines. It’s important that students treat them as such. It’s also important to remind students that school-issued machines ought be used only for school purposes.

Which brings us to bullying — cyber or otherwise.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2021-22, about 19% of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied during school, which was lower than the percentage who reported this in 2010-11 (28%). In 2021-22, among students who were bullied, 22% reported that the bullying happened online or by text.

Bullying has been a part of the educational experience since time immemorial. That doesn’t make it right, and a guiding parental heart and hand can help to prevent and/or stop bullying.

Finally, a great quote from business author and father Vala Afshar: “I started asking my 12-year-old son ‘who did you help today?’ instead of asking ‘how was school?’”

We hope with proper guidance the new school year will be a safe, productive, and fulfilling one for all students, teachers and parents.

— RJ