In an era where smartphones are an inseparable part of daily life, the way children interact with technology can shape their future. While digital skills are essential, excessive screen time and unregulated smartphone use pose risks that can’t be ignored. Enter “Skill Up !”, an initiative by Mission Empower that aims to equip middle school children with essential digital skills while cautioning them against the dangers of smartphone addiction. This initiative goes beyond just students—it extends to parents, ensuring a holistic approach to digital awareness at home and in schools.
Through Skill Up, digital awareness sessions have reached 150 children across two middle schools—Viruthasampatti and Amarathanoor. These workshops for students in classes 6-8 emphasize two core themes:
- Being Digitally Smart – Understanding digital literacy, including how to use technology wisely, stay safe online, and differentiate between productive and harmful digital habits.
- Smartphone Awareness & Productivity – Encouraging responsible smartphone usage, reducing screen addiction, and exploring ways to use digital tools for learning and creativity.
Children were introduced to real-life scenarios of how smartphones, when used productively, can be powerful learning tools. They explored educational apps, digital resources, and critical thinking exercises to differentiate between beneficial and harmful online content. But beyond the skills, the deeper message resonated—technology should empower, not enslave.
Extending Digital Awareness to Parents.
“How many of your homes have smartphones? Sorry, how many of your homes do not have smartphones? Okay, almost everyone has one!”
This was how I opened a digital literacy session with parents in the community. What makes this “Skill Up !” initiative special is that it’s designed not only for students but also for their parents.
According to my survey, 90% of students use their parents’ smartphones—but parents often have little awareness of what their children are using them for. Many parents shared concerns like: “Naal full ah mobile-a paathuttu irukkan” (They’re glued to the phone all day!), without realizing the deeper reasons behind it.
With increasing reports of screen dependency affecting children’s mental health, academic performance, and social behavior, this workshop was designed to provide parents with actionable strategies to create a balanced digital environment at home.
The session wasn’t about banning smartphones but about using them smartly. Parents learned how to set screen time boundaries without making it feel like a punishment. They explored parental control tools, co-learning activities with their children, and techniques to replace passive screen consumption with active digital engagement.
The discussion with parents was an engaging one. I shared simple yet effective tips and emphasized a key point: Parents are the first role models for their children.
I personally developed the habit of reading books because I watched my father reading every night. This shows it’s not the fault of smartphones or the internet; it’s how we choose to use them that matters.
Many parents expressed relief, saying they finally understood the fine line between necessary digital exposure and overuse. One mother shared how her child had started mimicking her own smartphone habits, making her realize the importance of leading by example.
Creating Digital Citizens, Not Digital Dependents
The Skill Up initiative is more than just a campaign; it’s a mindset shift. By fostering responsible digital usage among both students and parents, Mission Empower is building a future where children don’t just consume technology—they control it.
Together, let’s empower both students and parents to create a balanced digital environment!
In a world where screens are inevitable, digital wisdom is the real superpower. And through Skill Up, we are ensuring that children and parents alike are equipped to harness it wisely.
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