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Boring books? Will teens love reading if books are 'accessible' (easier)?
Dump the classics and assign "accessible" books that teens might enjoy reading, argues a former English teacher.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 222 min read


Teens are on phones for 70 minutes at school, 300 minutes a day overall
Teens average more than an hour per school day -- and five hours a day -- on their phones, most on social media, video and gaming apps.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 182 min read


TikTok block: Australia bans social media for under-16-year-olds
Australia is trying to kick under-16-year-olds off social media.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 13, 20252 min read


It's not smart to give smartphones to young children
The younger children are when they get their first smartphone the higher the risk of depression, obesity and poor sleep habits.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 6, 20252 min read


We broke the ladder
Teenagers aren't learning work skills in entry-level jobs. Employers prefer to hire immigrants.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 28, 20252 min read


'No child has ever been inspired by despair'
The world offers "beauty, progress and opportunity," not just "hardship and injustice."

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 26, 20252 min read


Kids prefer memes and make-up videos to 'War and Peace'
Should we worry that young people are spending less time reading for pleasure and a lot more time watching YouTube videos?

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 8, 20252 min read


AI will write your kid's suicide note
ChatGPT can be tricked into writing a suicide note, designing a starvation diet for an anorexic or offering advice on how to hide intoxication at school.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 23, 20252 min read


Illinois doubles down on schools as mental-health clinics
Illinois already spends a fortune on mental health services for students, and plans to spend more. It won't help.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 13, 20252 min read


Summer reading is optional at most public schools -- and may not require actual reading
While nearly all private high schools require summer reading, most public schools do not. Some ask students to listen to music or watch a movie.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 9, 20252 min read


Mystery of the missing middle-schoolers
Seeking stronger academics and less disruption, parents are choosing private schooling and homeschooling over public middle schools.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 25, 20251 min read


Lazy days of summer
Stressed, overparented teens can benefit from a lazy, unenriched summer.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 5, 20252 min read


Enforcing the no-phones rule: Boredom for students, 'bliss' for teachers
Teenagers are deeply addicted to their phones. Schools must lock the phones away all day to enable them to learn.

Joanne Jacobs
May 26, 20253 min read


What's next for high school grads? Fewer choose college, more are 'working toward a career goal'
Fewer high school graduates are enrolling in four-year colleges, and more say they're "working toward a career goal."

Joanne Jacobs
May 24, 20251 min read


Chromebooks are hot, but not in a good way: Should all devices be banned in school?
It's not just smartphones: Classroom laptops are distracting students, say teachers.

Joanne Jacobs
May 15, 20253 min read


When loneliness was a moral duty: 'My friends were untouchable, masked'
Connection leads to happiness. Covid rules isolated teens. "My friends were untouchable, unreachable, masked."

Joanne Jacobs
May 11, 20253 min read


Ritalin or recess: Why are so many kids on ADHD meds?
Is ADHD a medical disorder best treated with drugs?

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 20, 20253 min read


The college admissions essay is absurd, unfair and cringe
The college essay favors students who know how to exaggerate their adversity and fake humility.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 6, 20252 min read


'I'm going to save the baby'
Cleveland is honoring a 16-year-old boy who rescued a neighbor and her two children from a burning house.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 4, 20251 min read


UK schools will show 'Adolescence' to warn teens about toxic 'manosphere'
British schools may show Netflix's "Adolescence" to warn students about online misogyny and "incel culture."

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 4, 20252 min read
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