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Learning and Growing, Not Clicking and Scrolling: How Governor Hochul is Combatting the Use of Smartphones in Schools

SpeakerS:

Penny Abeywardena, Founder & CEO, Soft Power Strategies
The Hon. Kathy Hochul, Governor, State of New York, USA

“They lose the capacity over time to have real genuine social interactions—they don't make eye contact, they don't talk to other students in school.” The Hon. Kathy Hochul
“There are two massive clusters of changing norms colliding over this past decade: parents, driven a lot by anxiety and concerns, have been buying smartphones for their kids—How do I keep my kids safe in school with mental health challenges and bullying? How can I make sure my kid is okay during the day? And then can I ensure my kid is keeping up with the technology?” Penny Abeywardena

Key takeaways:

  • Impact of smartphones on children’s mental health and learning: Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the negative effects of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, particularly among teenage girls. 
  • Legislation to combat addictive social media: New York enacted a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits social media companies from collecting personal data of individuals under 18 and targeting them with algorithms designed based on their tastes. 
  • Policy on phone use in schools: Governor Hochul is developing a policy to restrict the use of smartphones in schools during school hours, acknowledging the difficulty for parents and schools to enforce such measures without government intervention. 
  • Investment in mental health services: New York is investing in mental health services, including funding for workforce training and the establishment of mental health clinics in schools, to address the shortage of mental health professionals and provide support to students. 
  • Call for leadership and courage: Governor Hochul encourages other state lawmakers to take bold action to protect children’s mental health, emphasizing the importance of showing “profiles in courage” and not being deterred by potential opposition. 

 

Action items:

  • Implement restrictions on data collection and targeted algorithms: Enforce laws that prevent social media companies from collecting personal data of minors and targeting them with addictive algorithms. 
  • Develop policies to limit smartphone use in schools: Introduce policies that restrict the use of smartphones during school hours to improve student focus and reduce exposure to negative online influences. 
  • Invest in mental health infrastructure: Allocate funds for training mental health professionals and establishing mental health services within schools to provide immediate support to students. 
  • Encourage collaborative efforts: Form coalitions of parents, educators, and advocacy groups to support legislation aimed at protecting children’s mental health and well-being. 
  • Promote awareness and education: Increase public awareness about the impacts of social media and smartphone use on children’s mental health, empowering parents and communities to take proactive measures. 
  • Advocate for national adoption of legislation: Encourage other states to adopt similar laws and policies, sharing successful models and strategies to address the issue on a broader scale

 

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