DR NICOLE SAPHIER: How best to use technology in our children's classrooms

Fox News - Apr 5th, 2025
Open on Fox News

Dr. Nicole Saphier, a Fox News contributor, discusses the U.S. surgeon general's warning about the detrimental effects of social media and technology on teenagers. Highlighting her personal and professional observations, Dr. Saphier describes the shift in classrooms from dynamic, face-to-face learning to tech-dominated environments. This transition, while offering educational benefits, has led to increased attention deficits among children, with ADHD diagnoses nearly doubling since 1998. The constant distractions from digital devices impede students' focus and ability to retain information, leading to broader concerns about cognitive and emotional development.

The story underscores the importance of balancing technology use in education. While acknowledging the advantages technology offers, Dr. Saphier emphasizes the need for traditional teaching methods to foster cognitive resilience, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. She advocates for reduced screen time and encourages more face-to-face interactions in classrooms, warning that without this balance, the next generation may lack essential skills for success. Her insights call for a reassessment of how technology is integrated into educational settings to ensure it complements rather than replaces proven teaching methods.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a thoughtful examination of the role of technology in education, highlighting both its benefits and potential drawbacks. It effectively raises awareness about important issues such as cognitive development and mental health, making it relevant to a wide audience. However, the article could benefit from more balanced perspectives and greater transparency in sourcing its claims. While the author's expertise lends credibility, the lack of direct citations and diverse viewpoints limits the overall reliability. The article is well-written and engaging, with potential to influence public opinion and encourage further discussion on the topic.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are generally supported by existing data, such as the widespread use of digital devices in classrooms and the increase in ADHD diagnoses. For instance, the claim that about 90% of public schools in the U.S. reported having digital devices for instructional purposes aligns with reports from the National Center for Education Statistics. However, the article also includes claims that require further verification, such as the specific impact of screen time on anxiety during COVID-19 and the exact percentage increase in anxiety disorders among children. While these claims are plausible, they are not directly cited with sources in the text, which affects the precision and verifiability of the information.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents a critical perspective on the use of technology in classrooms, emphasizing potential negative impacts such as increased attention deficit and decreased communication skills. While it acknowledges the benefits of technology, the focus is largely on the risks and the need for balance. This creates a somewhat imbalanced presentation, as it does not equally explore counterarguments or perspectives that highlight the positive aspects of technology integration in education. Including more diverse viewpoints, such as those of educators who successfully integrate technology, could provide a more balanced narrative.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly articulates its main points, making it easy to follow and understand. The language is straightforward and accessible, and the arguments are logically presented. The use of subheadings helps organize the content, and the tone is consistent throughout. However, the clarity could be improved by providing more explicit references to data sources and studies to support the claims made in the article.

5
Source quality

The article is primarily based on the author's expertise as a physician and her personal observations, which lends some credibility but also introduces potential bias. The lack of direct citations or references to specific studies or expert opinions limits the reliability of the sources. While Dr. Nicole Saphier's professional background provides authority, the absence of diverse and independent sources diminishes the overall source quality and impartiality of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about the sources of its claims, such as the specific studies or data sets referenced. While the author's credentials are clearly stated, which adds some transparency regarding her perspective, the lack of explicit source attribution for key statistics and findings reduces the clarity of the claim basis. Greater transparency in terms of methodology and data sources would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to better assess the validity of the claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/dr-nicole-saphier-how-best-use-technology-our-childrens-classrooms
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/school-reopenings-mom-and-physician-dr-nicole-saphier
  3. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/moms-guide-tackling-tricky-topic-kids-smartphones-schools
  4. https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116623/documents/HHRG-118-IF02-20231130-SD003.pdf
  5. https://www.iwf.org/2021/06/28/dr-nicole-saphier-examines-the-politics-of-panic/