Schools Can Help End the Phone-Based Childhood

Schools are increasingly taking action to combat the negative impacts of phone-based childhoods. The Surgeon General's call for warning labels on social media platforms and initiatives by governors and schools, like Los Angeles Unified School District going phone-free, reflect a growing movement. Jewish Day Schools have been at the forefront of this shift, implementing phone-free policies throughout the day. Initiatives like the Jewish Schools & Technology summit have brought together school leaders to formulate new tech policies. Schools are urged to collaborate with peer institutions, enforce comprehensive phone bans, and involve parents in solutions. Parent-led initiatives, such as the "Wait Past 8th Pledge," have gained traction in schools like Brauser Maimonides Academy, encouraging delayed smartphone adoption. By fostering collective action and involving parents, schools aim to create healthier tech habits and communal norms, ultimately benefiting students' academic performance, social growth, and mental well-being.