USD 383 school board members want individuals and groups in the community to participate in a series of meetings later this spring to discuss the effects of smart phone use and screen time on students.
In a joint letter to The Mercury Thursday, Manhattan-Ogden school board members called on “families, teachers, coaches, youth organizations, faith-based groups, and all who support young people to join us in tackling this issue.”
“The rise of smartphones and increased screen time among children and teens has contributed to alarming levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges in our population — most significantly in our children, teens and young adults,” the letter read. ” … Reducing screen dependence will take a shared commitment to educate families, promote healthier habits, and provide kids with engaging, real-world alternatives to digital entertainment and socialization. Meaningful change will require a community-wide effort.”
