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Social Media and the impact on student attendance
At Aspen View Academy, we know that student success is built on strong foundations—one of the most important being rest. I recently read a 2024 study that found a direct connection between student social media use at night and an increase in tardiness and absenteeism. This is an issue many educators across the country are seeing in real-time—tired students, missed instructional time, and more learning challenges. In fact, 93% of Gen Z (1997-2013) and even Gen Alpha (born 2013-2025) students report staying up past bedtime due to social media use, and up to 88% of educators say excessive screen time is affecting learning. This national trend is one we are paying close attention to at AVA, as sleep and attendance are critical to ensuring our students are ready to learn each day.
Imagine this common, perhaps nightly scenario, for students: It’s 9:30 p.m. on a school night, and you planned to be asleep by 10 pm to get just enough rest. You are on your phone or device and those couple of minutes of scrolling can easily turn into an hour or more. What feels like harmless scrolling, watching You Tube, or gaming quickly adds up to a tired morning, and in many cases, students are either arriving late, struggling to stay focused, or missing school altogether. But the reality is, sleep-deprived kids may face greater challenges in the classroom—whether it’s remembering new concepts, managing emotions, or simply being present.
A recent report showed that 20 states reported that more than 30% of students had chronic absenteeism where students missed more than 10% of school (Colorado reported 28.4%). Missing just two days per month equates to 20 missed days for the school year which means that these students will miss roughly one month of school.
So, what can parents do?
Helping your child build healthy sleep and tech habits can make a big difference. Here are a few strategies to try at home:
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Set tech-free times: Encourage students to power down devices at least 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
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Create a calming routine: Reading, listening to music, or talking about their day helps students wind down.
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Keep sleep consistent: A regular sleep schedule (even on weekends) supports focus and mood.
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Model healthy habits: Kids often mirror what they see—limiting your own late-night screen use can set the tone.
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Prioritize attendance: Even small absences add up. A consistent bedtime and morning routine helps students arrive ready to learn.
At the end of the day, technology is here to stay, and that can be a good thing. When students learn to manage their screen time in healthy ways, tech transforms from a distraction into a powerful tool for learning and growth. Together, families and educators can help students recognize the connection between sleep, attendance, and academic success.
Bob Barber
AVA Principal
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