PARENTS, Are Apps For Students Really Worth It?

Hey, what’s up, everybody? It’s Seth from SethPerler.com.

I have a letter here from a parent that I want to go over with you. Her name is Andrea, and she writes:

“I have reached peak frustration level with my 2E student.”

For those who don’t know, 2E stands for twice exceptional. Exceptionality can mean being gifted, having ADHD, dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s, sensory issues, or any number of learning differences. A twice-exceptional child is both gifted and has some type of disability or learning challenge.

Andrea continues:

“I’ve attended many parent seminars, conferences, talks, and meetings—you get the picture. After attending yet another one last night and leaving frustrated, I thought I’d ask you this question: If all the experts agree that kids should have limited screen time, especially kids with ADHD, why does every bit of advice include yet another app or website to introduce to your child?”

I absolutely agree that excessive screen time can be toxic for many students, especially those with ADHD. It can become very difficult to manage as kids get older, particularly in middle school.

So here’s my cynical—but honest—answer.

Why are people always recommending more apps, more websites, and more online learning?

In my experience, most online learning programs I’ve used with students have been pretty terrible. They’re often poorly written, difficult to understand, choppy to navigate, and not motivating at all.

Typically, students are expected to complete some activity online, answer questions, and move on. There’s very little support built into the experience.

Then there are all these apps that are supposed to help.

More apps.

More websites.

More noise.

So why are people constantly promoting them?

If you’re a parent attending workshops and seminars, you’re constantly hearing:

“Here’s the newest app.”

“Here’s the latest website.”

“Here’s the newest tool.”

Why?

Especially when we already know that many kids aren’t going to stay focused on that app. They’re going to get distracted by Minecraft, social media, YouTube, gaming, or whatever else they’re consumed by online.

They’re not just going to use the helpful app.

So why are these recommendations so common?

I came up with two primary reasons.

Reason #1: Money

People make money.

They’re affiliates.

They’re partners.

They’re selling products.

Now, let me be clear.

There are absolutely some fantastic apps out there that genuinely help kids.

If you’ve developed one of those apps, thank you. I’m glad you’re doing that work.

Some apps really can be useful when they’re used properly.

But let’s be honest: a lot of recommendations are tied to financial incentives.

And when we zoom out and look at the educational system as a whole, we start to see a pattern.

Think about standardized testing.

Schools use tests to gather data and measure students, teachers, and schools.

Do those tests really measure what they claim to measure?

I don’t think so.

I’m not a fan of standardized testing.

I’ve watched too many kids become overwhelmed, stressed, and discouraged because of it.

Testing consumes weeks of instructional time every year.

Teachers spend countless hours preparing students for tests.

Enormous amounts of money are involved.

Look at companies like Pearson, one of the largest educational testing companies in the world.

They’re making billions of dollars.

Then consider textbooks.

Have you ever seen a college textbook cost $180?

Or more?

And then, a year later, a new edition comes out, making the previous edition nearly worthless.

It’s a racket.

Textbook companies make enormous amounts of money.

Then come curriculum packages.

I’ve worked in schools where curriculum companies would bring in giant display boxes filled with textbooks, teacher guides, DVDs, supplemental materials, and all sorts of resources.

Schools spend huge amounts of money on these programs.

The promise is always the same:

“This curriculum will improve test scores.”

And because improving test scores becomes the goal, creativity gets pushed aside.

Teachers aren’t encouraged to think creatively.

They’re not encouraged to design individualized learning experiences.

They’re expected to follow the program.

Stay inside the box.

Teach the curriculum.

Improve the scores.

Repeat.

The system rewards compliance.

Reason #2: It’s Easy

The second reason apps are so heavily promoted is that they’re easy.

It’s easy to stand on a stage and say:

“Use this app.”

“Download this website.”

“Here’s a list of tools that will help your child.”

People want quick fixes.

We want magic bullets.

We want fairy dust and unicorns.

We want something simple that guarantees our kids will be successful.

We want certainty.

We want to believe that if we buy the right app or follow the right program, everything will work out.

But helping kids—especially twice-exceptional kids—isn’t easy.

It takes time.

It takes patience.

It takes consistency.

It takes effort.

It takes persistence.

Real change doesn’t happen overnight.

If you’re trying to change your child’s habits, it’s not going to happen in a week.

If you’re setting a new boundary as a parent, it may take six to eight weeks before your child even believes that boundary is real.

You have to be firm.

Consistent.

Loving.

Kind.

Patient.

This work is hard.

Parenting isn’t easy.

Teaching isn’t easy.

And helping a twice-exceptional child who experiences life at the extremes is especially challenging.

Apps and websites may serve a purpose.

Some are genuinely useful.

But they can also create the illusion that there’s an easy way out.

That there’s a shortcut.

That if you just buy the right thing, everything will be fine.

That’s not the truth.

The truth is that meaningful growth comes through consistency, understanding executive function, finding creative solutions, keeping the big picture in mind, and focusing on your child’s future happiness and success.

Can your child overcome challenges?

Absolutely.

Can they learn to navigate school successfully?

Absolutely.

Can they create an incredible future?

Absolutely.

But it doesn’t happen because of a magic app.

It happens because of relationships, support, patience, understanding, and consistent effort over time.

So I really just wanted to make this short video to respond to Andrea’s question.

Thank you so much for your email.

I hope this helps.

I’ll see you soon.

Take care.