The USD383 Board of Education held a community-wide discussion on cellphone impacts and policy possibilities last Saturday. The topic of cell phones have been a paramount concern for the board in recent months. In contrast to the keynote presentations they have held at the district schools, this event was a more discussion-based format.
Participants split into small groups to discuss the various components of the issue, using Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” as a propellant of conversation. After 45 minutes of small group discussion, the nearly 40 participants came together to listen to an expert panel. This included school resource officer Sonia Gregoire, child therapist Karsen Staudt, freshman history teacher Amy Doering and researcher Jennifer Smith.
The panel allowed participants to listen to expert perspectives on the topic, as well as address their own questions. Finally, the event concluded with a large group discussion, where participants shared the points they discussed in their groups as well as their own opinions to the whole large group audience.
This discussion was conveniently held a day after Principal Michael Dorst sent out a draft of a new phone policy to all MHS parents. The policy outlined requirements that include no phone use in classrooms, and only use during lunch and passing periods. While the timing was convenient, the community conversation was less centered on that draft and more centered on understanding the topic, its impacts, and potential solutions.
Phone addiction was a large topic of discussion. According to Smith, the dopamine hits, attention span decreases and increased anxiety associated with constant phone use have all mirrored drug addictions. Many participants expressed their desire for counseling services to extend to this category as well. Just like alcohol and drug counseling exist, many community members want similar resources to be available for students with respect to phones.
“What automatically comes to mind is the Alcohol Anonymous concept,” Smith said. “The groups of discussion. And then the commonality as well. Dealing with this, I think that would be super helpful for kids to sit down and go, ‘Man, I feel terrible. How do you feel?’ And like to actually have some discussion about it.”
In addition, many parents and stakeholders want to see the progress of the policy monitored. Once implemented, tracking the impacts of the policy is key to understanding whether the measures in place are effective and if any adjustments are needed. These can come in the form of surveys and studies conducted by the district administrators or professionals.
