Contributing Writer

A new opportunity to build knowledge, strategies, and a network of support around technology use by youth is now available to the parents of Gorham.

Gorham Alliance for Thoughtful Technology was created by two local moms who wanted to be proactive and strategic about introducing technology and smartphones into the lives of their children. As parents, Sarah Drury and Lindsay Hanson wanted to understand technology’s impact on youth, and to research best practices as to when and how children access the digital world. They also wanted to increase the community conversations around this important topic, and perhaps delay the use of smartphones for Gorham youth.

The two women have recently launched the Gorham Alliance for Thoughtful Technology Facebook group, and with 100 members already, all Gorham parents are encouraged to join. The Facebook group is an organizing platform to bring people together, where they can share information, ask questions, or offer suggestions for what has worked when setting expectations or boundaries around smartphone use and their children.

Drury first learned of a similar group in Scarborough, “Wait Until Eighth” a group that encourages parents of the community to work together on delaying smartphone access until high school. She reached out to learn more and was soon connected to groups across Cumberland County that have formed a kind of network to support the work in each community.

Drury had previously had conversations with Hanson during which they each shared their experiences trying to navigate the curiosity, conversations, and beliefs of their own children that all their friends have a smartphone and asked her to help be an online administrator for their launch of the group.

Also educators, both Drury and Hanson have also seen the impacts of the ubiquitous digital interfacing on their students’ mental health, problem solving abilities, and interpersonal skills.

Hanson noted, “As parents we have begun looking at phones as a safety device, without a lot of information on how these devices may negatively impact social and neurological development. We have become accustomed to thinking we must protect our children from the dangers of the real world, while underestimating the dangers that exist in the virtual one.”

The two are partnering with administrators from Gorham School Department to offer a three-night virtual book discussion, Oct. 29, Nov. 12, and Dec. 2 from 7 – 8 p.m. on “The Anxious Generation,” by John Haidt. While parents are encouraged to read the book, it is not necessary in order to participate in the discussion, and all are welcome.

“The Anxious Generation” was published in March 2024, and explores the mental health issues facing youth in the U.S., the decline of play, the increase in cellphone access during childhood, and finally, strategies for addressing the issues, with collective action needed. Haidt notes the importance of school, community and peer support for parents as they navigate this parenting challenge. As Drury pointed out, “We can’t just solve it one parent at a time, one phone at a time.”

“This is not about right or wrong, about judgment or being anti cell phone and technology” said Drury, “It is about starting the conversations with one another, and within families to ensure that there is thought given to what options are truly best for our children and circumstances.”

“Our hope is that the group will provide information that will help parents feel a little more secure in the decision they make for their family,” said Hanson. “It’s an opportunity to pause and be like, ‘all right, let’s really think about this and, make some decisions intentionally rather than just because everyone else is doing it.’ Having a clear timeline, expectations, and conversations with your children from an early age will save everyone from heartache or conflicts later on.”

The two noted that it’s not an all or nothing approach. There are alternatives to smartphones that might be options for parents who are concerned about their ability to connect to their children. There are also things parents can do even after their child has a smartphone to ensure they are safe, such as learning about the apps and platforms they may be using, and setting healthy boundaries and expectations.

Gorham Alliance for Thoughtful Technology plans further outreach and information sharing events, and Gorham parents are urged to join the Facebook group, where they can learn more about the book discussion and future events, or take an active role in the group’s efforts.