At the MUST (Mothers Unite to Stall Technology) South Florida Kickoff event in Miami, held last Sunday evening, December 26, Sara Druin, a local teen, powerfully addressed parents. She explained why she did not get a smartphone, even when most of her peers already have one. She described the changes she witnessed as her friends got smartphones and her joy in not having a smartphone.
Other speakers included MUST Founder, Mrs. Michal Klerer of Brooklyn, NY, Rabbi Mendel Toron, MSW, LSW, a South Florida-based psychotherapist (mendeltoron.com). Esti Chazanow, who spearheaded MUST South Florida, spoke of her journey and encouraged everyone to join the movement. Batsheva Levy, a devoted local MUST mother, also shared her passion for seeing real change. Finally, Rabbi Avi Meth of Technology Awareness Group (TAG) South Florida explained how his organization is available to create Internet safety plans, free of charge, for families in the region.
Organizers say hundreds of parents attended the event in person and through the event livestream.
Parents of children in a vast range of schools participated in the event, including LEC, Lanaar Elementary School, Child Enrichment Center (The Shul), Yeshiva Toras Chaim Toras Emes (YTCTE), Gan Katan (Elementary), Yeshiva Elementary School (YES), Lubavitch Hebrew Academy, Brauser Maimonides Academy, Scheck Hillel Community School, Torah Academy of Boca Raton and Hebrew Academy (RASG).
Reports have been coming in of groups of parents from various schools already organizing Class Ambassadors and forming pledges and pacts to stall or pause the use of technology in specific classes.
Event participants left feeling empowered and enthused, and some of the feedback includes:
“The event was uplifting, positive, and beautifully executed.”
“My husband is so happy he attended. He didn’t totally understand the concept before the event. And we were inspired to get a landline 🙏”
“I just wanted to say thank you for being such strong advocates in our community for change. I watched the event livestream and felt I gained practical tools and a new perspective. The fact that the program is all about doing it together is so important as the story mentioned of a therapist recommending that a teen who was the only one not with the phone get one because of how painful the social isolation is.
I also had a great conversation with my mother about how we can be more present with our families without our phones.”
For South Florida parents who would like to get involved, please click here: tinyurl.com/MUSTform
To view the screen-free experience and activity guide, along with the event program, please click here: tinyurl.com/MUSTguide
VIDEO: Full Event Replay
amazing