US Surgeon General recently released a report revealing the correlation between declining mental health in America’s children and teens and social media. According to Jonathan Haidt, the transition to smartphones during the late aughts and early 2010s has played a significant role in this trend. For this reason, he suggests banning phones from schools, not only to improve academic performance but also to reduce depression and anxiety while improving face-to-face relationships and promoting a sense of “belonging.” In an adaptation from his Substack “After Babel,” posted in the Atlantic, Haidt argues that children’s brains are not developed enough to handle constant distractions, such as the temptation provided by phones. Even schools with strict policies against phone use during class periods observe students being sneaky with social media websites. This behavior negatively impacts the learning process, reduces social connections, and lowers attention span. Haidt looks at five different levels of phone use in schools, with lockable pouches and phone lockers being his preferred choice, as they are policies most likely to provide substantial educational, social, and mental-health benefits. Some parents resist this idea, worrying they may not be reachable during school hours or in case of emergencies. However, Haidt believes that children need time without being constantly connected and that phone-free schools are healthier. Even in a case of a mass shooting, Haidt thinks that students would be better off without their phones.
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