Digital age puts social skills at risk

Put. Down. That. Phone.

That’s what it takes to deter afflictions of the digital age.

The latest evidence: A California study suggests sixth-graders’ ability to understand nonverbal social cues improved after only five days at a nature camp where they had no access to computers, tablets and mobile phones.

No surprise that being able to read facial expressions, eye contact, tone of voice and body posture are vital to positive relationships at school. But it’s even bigger than that: Being able to read a situation and interact with others is a fundamental, lifetime skill.

So go ahead and disconnect from technology occasionally. Stay human.

Let the kids sleep a little bit longer

Teenagers need more sleep.

Neuroscientists and high school educators have been saying that for years.

Now the American Academy of Pediatrics has weighed in, recommending that middle and high schools begin class-es at 8:30 a.m. or later.

Adolescents and teens are chronically sleep-deprived, since their natural circadian rhythms demand more morning rest than modern life allows. But teenagers who get more sleep have higher school-attendance rates, grades and test scores; lower depression and obesity rates; and fewer car accidents.

"We really feel that this is such a compelling health problem that it really is in the best interest of students for schools to take this step," said Dr. Judith Owens, director of sleep medicine at Children’s National Medical Center and lead author of the academy’s report.

We hope Hawaii schools are listening.