Ignoring it is not possible. Accommodating it without criteria, however, neither is it.
Smartphones, tablets, social networks, artificial intelligence.
Technology has been a part of our sons’ and daughters’ lives since early childhood.
Ignoring it is not possible.
Embracing it without criteria, however, neither is it possible.
At LiberSchool we feel a responsibility to accompany children and young people to grow in the world they live in, without being overwhelmed by it. That is why, over the years, we have built a clear educational position on the use of digital technologies: critical but open, cautious but not ideological.
An educational posture before rules
Digital education means educating for choice, not consumption.
This article was created to tell the meaning of our approach.
The official document, with detailed directions, is available at the bottom of the page.
We are not against technology.
We are against early, passive or unmediated use.
Underlying our work is a simple and profound conviction:
technology is not neutral, but shapes the way we perceive, think, and relate.
That is why we are not just talking about “proper use of devices,” but about digital education: a path that concerns the body, attention, time, emotions, and the relationship with others and with oneself.
We believe that the task of adults is not to delegate to devices, but to take responsibility for accompanying, choosing age- and developmentally appropriate times, ways and contexts.
What we do, concretely, at school
At LiberSchool, the educational environment is designed to foster:
- direct experience
- the movement
- the report
- the game
- critical thinking
For this:
- Personal smartphones are not allowed during school hours;
- the use of technology, when present, is targeted, intentional and guided by educators;
- there are overtly “screen-free” times and spaces that are considered crucial for the development of attention and creativity.
Technology is neither a filler nor a reward, but a tool, used only when it adds real value to the educational journey.
An age-differentiated approach
Let us not anticipate what can wait. Let us not delay what needs to be addressed.
An essential point for us is that not all ages are the same.
Digital education cannot be uniform: it changes with cognitive, emotional and relational development.
- In early childhood (0-3 years) we protect sensory and bodily experience, which is fundamental to the construction of the self.
- In the 3-6 age group, we favor symbolic play, relationship and imagination, avoiding direct exposure to devices.
- In primary, we begin to introduce guided reflection, again mediated by the adult, on the use of digital tools.
- In the secondary we work more explicitly on autonomy, responsibility, risks and opportunities of digital, including issues related to social, personal data and artificial intelligence.
Let us not anticipate what can wait.
Let us not delay what needs to be addressed.
A work in progress, shared with families
Digital education, for us, means educating for choice, not consumption.
Our position is not dogma.
It is the result of observation, study, comparison and daily practice.
For this:
- We constantly dialogue with families;
- We update our choices in light of pedagogical and neuroscientific research;
- we also carefully and gradually address new challenges, such as artificial intelligence, only after proper training of the educational team.
Digital education, for us, means educating for choice, not consumption.
Growing in the digital, without losing the human
Technology remains in the service of the human.
Technology, at LiberSchool, remains at the service of the human.
We don’t want to raise either technophobes or “digital natives” left alone.
We want to accompany children and youth to become people capable of discernment, rooted in body, relationship and thought.
Therefore, technology, at LiberSchool, remains at the service of the human, and not the other way around.
đź“„ Do you want to go deeper?
We have compiled our full position in the official document:
“Digital Education – Our Position on the Use of Electronic Devices“
👉 Download PDF (in Italian)
It is the reference text that accompanies the educational journey of our school community.