EXPLANATION OF THESE SAMPLE TEXTS/EMAILS

Many ambassadors and interested moms have asked us for sample text to post to class chats or to send via email/text to all the moms of the class. 

IMPORTANT: THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN THIS PROGRAM CLEARLY AND EFFICIENTLY TO MOMS IS VIA PHONE CALLS. YES, WE UNDERSTAND THIS MAY BE TIME CONSUMING; NEVERTHELESS, IT IS THE PREFERABLE AND IDEAL WAY TO PRESENT THE INITIATIVE IN A WAY THAT LEAVES NO ROOM FOR MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR MISCOMMUNICATIONS. WE ALL KNOW HOW MISLEADING OR MISCONSTRUED  A TEXT OR EMAIL CAN BE. THAT BEING SAID, WE UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES TEXT/EMAIL IS THE ONLY WAY TO REACH THE PARENTS. THEREFORE, WE HAVE POSTED HERE DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF SAMPLE TEXTS YOU CAN TWEAK AND EDIT TO YOUR LIKING AND SEND TO YOUR FELLOW MOMS. 

INFORMAL TEXT TO YOUNGER CLASS EXPLAINING THE PROGRAM

Hi everyone! So I know this may sound funny because I can’t imagine any of our kids in this class have devices, but I heard about a program called M.U.S.T., which stands for Mothers Unite to Stall Technology, and I wanted to see if we can get our class on board.

The idea behind it is that if we create an environment for our kids where it’s the norm for the kids not to have their own personal devices (iPod, iPad, Kindle, smart phone, etc.), then we can hopefully hold off for a really long time.

So if we can make an agreement as a class that none of us will get devices for our kids, then if they come home and say, "Everyone has one," we’ll know that’s not the case, and we’ll be able to say, "No, sweetie, I’m sorry- most kids in your class don’t have one because the moms all agreed that it’s better not to get one!"

What does everyone think?

Hi everyone I wanted to tell you about an amazing program I just came across that I thought could really work for our class! It seems like kids are getting their own devices younger and younger because of the peer pressure of other kids having them. This program helps to deal with that exact issue! The program is called M.U.S.T., which stands for Mothers Unite to Stall Technology.  The concept of the initiative is simple, yet effective: if mothers (or fathers) of a particular class would collectively make a decision, as a unified group, to postpone getting their child a device for as long as possible, the peer pressure to have a device would be eliminated, or, at the very least, significantly decreased.  The program can be tailored specifically to each class’s needs. For example, in a younger class where the children don’t yet have a device at all, the parents can have an agreement to completely hold off for as long as possible and reevaluate on a yearly basis. In a class that has already advanced in their technology use, the agreement, which should be formed in person at a joint meeting, can be customized specifically to  pause the progression of the class. I really think we can do this together! Can you respond if you want to be a part of the program?  (There is much more information available on the MUST website about the program. Please check it out and learn more at www.themustproject.org.) 

Dear Parents of grade——We are reaching out to you about something that we are sure has you concerned as well as parents all over the world. Kids getting their own devices and how we can deal with it in the best way possible. We have come across a program that can help address these concerns and would like to share it with you.
The program is called M.U.S.T., which stands for Mothers Unite to Stall Technology. 
The concept of the initiative is simple, yet effective: if mothers (or fathers) of a particular class would collectively make a decision, as a unified group, to postpone getting their child a device for as long as possible, or choose to limit their usage if they already have one, the peer pressure associated with it, would be eliminated, or, at the very least, significantly decreased. 
The program can be tailored specifically to each class’s needs. For example, in a younger class where the children don’t yet have a device at all, the parents can have an agreement to completely hold off for as long as possible and reevaluate on a yearly basis. In a class that has already advanced in their technology use, the agreement, which should be formed in person at a joint meeting, can be customized specifically to  pause the progression of the class. This type of “pact” can have many different factors; the options are really limitless and are decided at the discretion of the parents in an individual class. Let me know what you all think if this idea. It would be amazing if we can all work together to make this happen.

We’ve gotten so much positive feedback and we are ready to take the next step. The best way to accomplish implementing the MUST PROGRAM is to begin by realistically assessing where the class is at in their technology usage. The best way to do this would be by using the MUST survey. The link to this survey is at the bottom of the email. Your responses will be received anonymously by google drive. It will only give a tally of answers for each question. It is completely anonymous. Please please fill it out. It’s so important for us to have everyone’s input to make this successful. Once we have that information, (which we will provide to you) we can take the next step by figuring out together an appropriate pact for our individual class. What differentiates this initiative from all others is that it does not originate from the school. It is completely mother driven. It’s up to us to make the difference in our kids lives!There is much more information available on the MUST website about the program. Please check it out and learn more at themustproject.org.

THE PREFERRED PACT

The most ideal pact is called "The Preferred Pact."  Whenever feasible, this pact is preferred as it shields the kids from any unwanted phone or internet use and creates a powerful positive peer pressure among mothers, as well as the children, in the class. 

These are the suggested guidelines:

1. No personal ownership of devices with internet capabilities including, but not limited to, iPods, iPads, iPhones, smart watches, Androids, Kindles, etc., even if they are fully blocked and restricted.

2.  If the child is using a family shared device:

a) It should be filtered and password-protected; the child needs to ask permission before using it; their usage should be closely monitored. 

b) Children may not participate in social media of any kind, nor group chats via text or WhatsApp - even on a parent's phone or tablet.  

3. No Screen time during get-togethers.

The above is simply an example of the most prudent and cautious pact that has been implemented in many classes across the country. However, there are myriad other pacts that can be devised and tailor-made according to the class's needs.  

THE PAUSE/FREEZE PACT

Once you and fellow mothers have decided that the Preferred Pact is not realistic for your class, you can customize a pact that suits your class's needs. The pact should not aim to reverse progression of technology, but, rather, to "freeze" the class at its current level of use so as to "pa" its progression. 

This makes the choice of pact relatively straightforward- simply set it at the current level of use, and agree not to proceed to the next level.

Although there are innumerable options, these are a few suggestions to be included in class pacts: 

a) No advancement to the next device [i.e., if they have ipods with internet capability, you all agree not to buy smartphones.]  

b) No social media

c) No participation in group chats

d) No internet browsers

e) No screen time during get-togethers 

f) An agreed-upon filter installed by a professional

g) Acceptable apps approved by the parents

h) Implementation of agreed-upon parental restrictions on the device 

i) Shut-off times (For example, a 7th grade class incorporated into their pact that the devices will be turned over to the parents at 9:30pm every night.)  

j) Not to allow phones/devices to be kept in the child's bedroom