THE CASE FOR LIMITING ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOLS
According to current research the significant growth in the use of electronic devices (most specifically cell phones) by youth in the United States has done significant and identifiable damage to our kids. Or in the case of your child’s school, our students. The dramatic increase in the negative effect of reliance on electronic devices and the belief it is necessary need to be controlled. In a perfect world we would all agree on what to do and when to do it, but we know we do not live in a world of unanimous opinion. We have all heard stories from our kids/students about the gossip, bullying, fighting and personal attacks that have become all too commonplace on our kids’ cell phone apps.
What Does Science Tell Us?
Evidence from a variety of cross-sectional, longitudinal and empirical studies implicate smartphone and social media use in the increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior and suicidality among youth; there is a dose–response relationship, and the effects appear to be greatest among girls.
Social media can affect adolescents’ self-view and interpersonal relationships through social comparison and negative interactions, including cyberbullying; moreover, social media content often involves normalization and even promotion of self-harm and suicidality among youth.
According to Dr. Nancy DeAngelis CRNP, Director of Behavioral Health, Jefferson Health - Abington. “High proportions of youth engage in heavy smartphone use and media multitasking, with resultant chronic sleep deprivation, and negative effects on cognitive control, academic performance and socioemotional functioning.” (Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(6). National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190434)
“The overuse of social media can actually rewire a young child or teen’s brain to constantly seek out immediate gratification, leading to obsessive, compulsive and addictive behaviors,” says DeAngelis. “This is what can make mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and body dysmorphia worse.” (View. (2024, April 17). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site; UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site. https://abbotsfordfamilymed.com/2024/04/16/smartphones-social-media-use-and-youth-mental-health/)
What does the school data tell us?
Classroom Distraction - Phones out in class whether engaging in chat, taking or passing video, listening to music, TikTok, Instagram, means that a student is not engaged in the learning process in the classroom.
Disruption - students share rumors, threats of violence against each other, videos designed to intimidate or bully. All of these things are assisted by the use of a cell phone. Everyone is less safe when these behaviors are allowed.
Mental Health - Schools are working to support an increasing number of students in need of mental health services.
Engaging in learning is the purpose our students are in school for. We know from observation that electronic devices lead to or compound these issues.
What Is The Reality of Electronic Devices?
Technology is here to stay and will continue to grow
Schools make appropriate use of technology targeted to specific learning tasks
Students do not NEED to be on their cell at will (though they may FEEL the need)
The Manchester School District must address the growing and very disruptive use of electronic devices within our classrooms and our schools
The approach at elementary and middle schools will be different than in high schools
Parents will always be asked to support the schools in their work to create safer, more effective learning environments
Please see this website from the New Hampshire Department of Education for additional information about the impact of cell phones.
The Manchester School District will be implementing revised procedures for electronic devices in the fall of 2024/2025 designed to improve learning and engagement as well as minimize the negative impact of these devices. The procedures were shared with, and approved by the Board of School Committee. Schools will be teaching these expectations and procedures to students during the first days of school.
Here are links to the two sets of expectations and procedures.
Works Cited
Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K. T., & Pignatiello, A. (2020). Smartphones, Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(6). National Library of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190434
View. (2024, April 17). Smartphones, social media use and youth mental health. UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site; UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site. https://abbotsfordfamilymed.com/2024/04/16/smartphones-social-media-use-and-youth-mental-health/