As described in our November 11, 2024, article, electronic devices have resulted in Generation Z and Generation Alpha suffering from a severe lack of employable skills. Not only has the reliance on electronic devices resulted in employers questioning younger generations’ employability, but many youths are also experiencing serious consequences to their health, such as sleep deprivation and addiction. This has caused several states to take matters into their own hands to address this ever-growing problem. Below is a discussion of states’ legal steps to combat this issue head-on.
Cell-phone Ban as a Solution
Fourteen states have adopted or pushed for policies limiting or banning cell phone usage in schools. Leaders in education and policymaking believe a restriction or outright ban on cell phones in classrooms may mitigate the mental health issues and distractions that have become prevalent among young people. According to a study conducted by Gallup, teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media daily. To target this overconsumption of technology, pilot programs in Arkansas and Delaware have provided funds for students to use lockable magnetic pouches during school time. Pennsylvania has also amended its School Safety and Mental Health Grant program to allow the purchase of these lockable phone pouches.
Major states such as New York and California are also considering adopting statewide policies. Starting January 2025, the Los Angeles Unified School District will prohibit students from using their cell phones while on campus during school hours. New York’s Mayor Eric Adams has stated that the 2024-2025 academic year will not see a cell-phone ban. However, Mayor Adams plans to study what Los Angeles and other school districts are implementing, along with considering questions and comments raised by educators and parents before moving forward with new policies.
Potential Obstacles to Cell-phone Bans
Limiting the use of phones during school hours sounds like an idealistic plan. However, implementing these new policies will fall into teachers’ hands, adding another job duty to their already expansive list. The Pew Research Center reported that 72% of high school teachers believe cell-phone distraction is a significant problem in their classrooms. However, 60% of high school teachers also thought enforcing cell-phone policies in the classroom would be difficult. Much of this difficulty arises from students being combative about giving up their phones, claiming the school is confiscating their “personal property,” or parents demanding their children have their phones on them during school hours. Policing student cell phones can infantilize the students or escalate a situation into a bigger problem.
Safety is another reason a cell-phone ban or restriction may be challenging to implement and effectively enforce. Certain students may have medical health conditions requiring them to call their parents or emergency services for medical assistance. Student bodily safety is also a concern due to gun violence that occurs inside schools. In such a tragic event, students may want to contact their parents and inform them of their circumstances. School violence also appears in the form of bullying, and students may wish to update their parents via text message of bullying incidents that take place during school hours.
Limiting Screen Time at Home
With electronic devices virtually everywhere, monitoring screen time can be challenging, but it is not impossible. If removing all devices is not feasible, the American Academy of Pediatrics (Academy) recommends limiting screen time. The Academy suggests that children between the ages of two and five only get one hour of screen time daily, where they primarily engage with high-quality programming that encourages learning.
As children grow older, a one-size-fits-all approach will not be helpful. Instead, ensuring the younger generations receive quality screen time may require seeking out interactive applications to avoid children staring blankly at their screens, ensuring children are close by during screen time, and regularly asking which game or application the child is playing. The Mayo Clinic also encourages unplugged and unstructured playtime, setting and enforcing daily or weekly screen limits, avoiding social media when doing homework, and eliminating background television.
Takeaway
As concerns grow about the impact of excessive screen time on Generation Z and Generation Alpha, several states have made it a goal to reduce distractions and mental health issues linked to device overuse. While enforcing these policies may present challenges, experts recommend limiting screen time and promoting high-quality educational applications as a proactive measure. Striking the right balance between technological use and well-being requires understanding that electronic devices are necessary in certain situations while hindering welfare in others.