Amid the numerous challenges teachers face today, one question persists: “How can we get students to pay attention?”
Across social media, in comment sections, and within teacher communities, more and more educators are expressing frustration over the increasing difficulty of keeping students engaged. Recently, in a viral video that’s since reached almost a million people, a former teacher outlined what he thinks are the potential consequences if this trend continues.
@betterwithb / Via tiktok.com
“I’m a former teacher, and I have this prediction of where we’re going as a society,” Mike Bonitatibus, a former K-12 health and physical education teacher from Philadelphia, began. “I think this is already been happening, but it’s gonna be more pronounced. We’re about to see a splitting of society, and I don’t mean anything political.”
Mike explained that he believes society will eventually divide into two groups: those who have grown up with constant, unfiltered internet access and those raised with some degree of digital moderation and boundaries.
“I think that the families and the people who are raised with moderation are going to have a difficult time interacting with the people who have had unfiltered internet for their whole lives,” he said.
In his video, Mike explained that teachers are already seeing the adverse effects in the classroom when kids “are raised by iPads” or have complete, unfiltered screen time. “One of the biggest issues that’s coming from it is the complete inability to control and understand your emotions,” he said.
He continued, arguing that constant, unfiltered access to cell phones also contributes to other issues in the classroom like poor impulse control, difficulty focusing, strained relationships, a sense of entitlement, and narcissistic tendencies — students feeling entitled to have immediate access to what they want, without interference.
“They feel like life should revolve around them. [That] they should have access to their thing all the time. No one can take what they want, what they need, what they should have, out and away from them,” he said in the video.
Speaking with BuzzFeed, Mike reflected on his 14 years of teaching in Philadelphia, observing that student behavior declined with time, particularly in middle and high school. “When I asked students about their average screen time, it was around 10 hours a day,” he told BuzzFeed.
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Mike said that some might be surprised by that, considering that the students are in school, but school policy made it so he had to remind students three times to put their phones away before making a report. “With more than half the class distracted, I started to feel ineffective as a teacher,” he told BuzzFeed.
“The divide became really clear through emotional highs and lows,” he continued, explaining how screen dependency manifested in the classroom. “Students who had unlimited access to screens really struggled with rules and boundaries, particularly when it came to being told no.”
“There was a noticeable sense of entitlement, especially regarding their devices, but also just simply a lack of respect for authority figures,” he said. “They struggled with focus, got bored quickly, and had a hard time engaging with each other. Often times just trying to bother other students to get a rise out of them.”
He also noticed students watching bizarre YouTube videos during lessons and making jokes that hinted at inappropriate use of social media. “Sleep deprivation was common too; I’d hear from students who would be up until 3 or 4 a.m. on their devices,” he noted, adding that this wasn’t just affecting a small group of students but many of them. “Generally, it was the same students who struggled with reading and school in general.”
Mike said the “most significant” shift he noticed in student behavior occurred after the pandemic. “Understandably, parents leaned on screens for comfort during that time, but the long-term effects weren’t fully appreciated. I expected students to come back sad and anxious, but the sense of entitlement and disrespect took me by surprise,” he told BuzzFeed.
Ultimately, he said, by 2022, the balance shifted from a majority of “well-behaved, respectful” students to a majority of “disruptive and distracted” kids in his classes. “That was a huge red flag for me that it was time to move on,” he told BuzzFeed, eventually leaving the profession.
Mike’s not alone — teacher shortages have been happening nationwide, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. In a National Education Association (NEA) survey from 2022, 90 percent said feeling burned out is a “serious problem” among the profession.
In the comments of Mike’s viral video, many parents and teachers shared their own similar experiences. “I work at a school and I’ve had to literally teach iPad kids how to play on a playground,” one teacher said.
“It’s really obvious in my classroom now,” another teacher commented. “The tech kids have no depth, empathy, imagination, or motivation. It’s sad really.”
“It’s already happening. My teen son came home and said he didn’t know how to interact with the iPhone kids,” one parent said.
“I often hear ‘kids don’t know how to be bored anymore’ and it’s so true,” another person commented.
One individual suggested that the issue comes down to parenting — specifically, those who actively engage with their children versus those who don’t. Mike echoed this sentiment, noting, “Parenting is tough. Giving kids the attention they need, teaching them, reading with them…it’s all exhausting. Many parents find it easier to hand their kids a device, which keeps them occupied but can create dependency.”
Unsurprisingly, emerging research suggests that excessive digital media use among adolescents can negatively affect brain function and cognitive development, contributing to reduced attention span, impaired memory processing, and difficulties with impulse control and reward regulation.
Moreover, studies exploring the relationship between screen time and sleep patterns reveal that 90% of research findings found an association between screen use and delayed bedtimes and a reduction in total sleep duration.
One study even found that using screens or tablets to calm a child may unintentionally contribute to anger issues later on. While devices may provide short-term emotional relief, the study revealed that over time, this reliance on technology can lead to long-term problems, such as technology addiction, “screen time tantrums,” and challenges in managing stress effectively.
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It’s clear screens are becoming an issue for many students, teachers, and parents — but where can we go from here? In his video, Mike argued that there needs to be more of a focus on emotional intelligence, both in the classroom and at home. “It’s not just for kids; it’s for adults, too,” he said.
@betterwithb / Via tiktok.com
“It’s so important for adults to improve their emotional understanding so they can better support kids,” Mike told BuzzFeed. “When parents have that awareness, they become better equipped to guide their children through their own emotional journeys.”
Mike emphasized that emotional intelligence means knowing where your emotions come from and being self-aware enough to control your reactions. “Being able to control yourself before throwing a hissy fit, or screaming at somebody, or getting upset because you can’t do what you wanna do, or somebody said something that you didn’t like,” he said in the video.
He noted that also means stepping up and setting boundaries when necessary. “Yes, this involves confronting the tough emotional reactions when taking away a device, which can feel daunting. But avoiding that struggle only leads to bigger issues down the line,” he told BuzzFeed. Mike advocated for parents to take a closer look at the dangers of unrestricted internet access and seek help through therapy or emotional coaching if needed.
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“Addressing the divide between screen-dependent kids and those who aren’t calls for a collective effort,” he said. “We need educators, parents, and communities working together to build understanding and emotional resilience.”
He concluded, “With some conscious changes regarding screen time and a focus on emotional intelligence, we can help raise a generation that values empathy, resilience, and a commitment to making the world a better place.”
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student – have you noticed a divide between kids with device dependencies and those without? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.