BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Area Board of School Directors is considering the future of cell phone use in the district.
During the board’s curriculum committee meeting, members discussed the appropriate use of cell phones in schools and the effects of social media use on children’s mental health and identity.
According to the presentation, children receive 237 notifications daily. Additionally, more than half of teens use phones overnight and spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media daily.
Children spending more than three hours a day on social media are at double the risk for poor mental health such as anxiety and depression, according to the presentation.
Similarly, more than half of teens use their phones overnight for social media, gaming, or streaming content. In terms of online safety, an alarming 40% of children in grades 4-8 have chatted online with a stranger, and according to the FBI, there are 500,000 predators online at any given time, officials said.
In some Bethlehem Area School District schools, students in K-8 are allowed to have their phones at school, officials said.
Board President Michael Faccinetto said he does not agree with that policy.
“We should not negotiate with kids on when they can use their phones in school,” Faccinetto said. “We should tell them when, and the answer is not at all.”
Board Vice President Shannon Patrick agreed.
“Every single one of us in this room went through school without a phone, and we’re all still here,” Patrick said. “Unfortunately, if parents don’t like it, then I think parents have to make some tough choices.”
Board member Winston Alozie said the issue of cell phone use was society-wide. He also said that there are times when office staff aren’t available to answer the phone and kids may need their phones.
“If something happens and a parent can’t reach their kids, that’s on us,” Alozie said.
Board member Silagh White also discussed overarching issues with cell phone use, such as its interference with being “fully present.”
Staff will present recommended guidelines for cell phone use during May’s board meeting.
