DATE:
August 27, 2024
23
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
SUPPORTING SAN DIEGO'S SCHOOLS WITH SOLUTIONS TO THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND SMARTPHONE ACCESS DURING SCHOOL HOURS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In schools across San Diego County, the widespread use of smartphones among students raises urgent concerns over its impact on youth mental health and influence on academic performance. Constant access to messaging apps, social media, and games fosters a pervasive environment of distraction and social pressure, including the escalation of cyberbullying. These dynamics affect students' well-being, creating barriers to positive mental health, emotional resilience, and learning.
In recent months, schools have increasingly expressed concerns about the impact smartphone access and extensive usage are having on the academic and social outcomes of school age youth, especially during hours of instruction. On average, 8 to 12 year olds are reporting 5 hours worth of screen time per day with teens reporting an average usage of 7.5 hours per day. A recent study by Common Sense Media found that 97% of teenagers use cell phones during the school day. In 2023, a study revealed that students received an average of 237 notifications per day, many occurring during school hours. And, one third of K-12 public school teachers recently reported that smartphones are a major problem for students in their classrooms. The continuous checking for messages, scrolling, watching videos, playing video games, getting into conflicts with peers through texting and social media, and videotaping teachers and fellow students are just a few of the trends reportedly interfering with peer-to-peer connections, academic performance, school culture, and discipline.
In addition to the concerns smartphones present during instruction time, researchers and mental health experts have continued to express growing concerns about the overall effects extensive usage is having on ...
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