Key Takeaways:
– A recent editorial spurred dialogue on banning smartphones in school as a low-cost, high-impact solution for improving children’s wellbeing.
– Post-pandemic times call for restoring classroom stability, free from the constant distraction of smartphones.
– Addressing the detrimental effect of constant online activity on teenagers’ mental health has become urgent.
– Some schools nationwide are already taking steps to ban the use of smartphones during class hours.
The Need for Smartphones Free Classrooms
In a society increasingly reliant on electronic devices, a noteworthy editorial has called for a return to basics in classroom behavior, suggesting that children can get smarter without the constant interference of smartphones. Chris N. Karalekas, responding to an op-ed published on March 31 by the New York Daily News, echoed the call for creating a haven for children to focus on their learning journey.
Holistic Health and Academic Performance
As the nation grapples with the lingering effects of the pandemic, mental health considerations for young learners have gained unprecedented attention. The Surgeon General attested to the negative effects of the high levels of online presence on teenagers, raising concerns about mental wellbeing.
Act Now or Pay Later
Given the explicit links between mental health and academic success, Karalekas suggests that we must act promptly. A rising number of schools across the country are already promulgating the idea of smartphone-free classrooms, reaffirming the belief that students should be present and engaged when on school grounds.
Revisiting Pre-smartphone Era Practices
The idea is not to entirely prohibit students from bringing smartphones to school, but rather to regulate their use during class hours. The editorial argues that connectivity between students and parents existed well before the prevalence of cell phones and that reverting to older practices could significantly benefit the current generation.
Diverse Opinions
However, the discussion around smartphones was just one among many public issues aired in the NY Daily News op-ed. The discourse ranged from the aftermath of the recent earthquake to aspects of the political status quo. Others addressed the fallouts of devastating storms, animal rights concerns in adverse weather, and worries over increasing costs of living and crime rates.
Climate Change Concerns
Eric Weltman highlighted concerns about climate change, criticizing Governor Hochul’s resistance to enforcing the oil and gas industry’s responsibility for damage caused by burning fossil fuels.
Socio-economic Woes
There were pleas for economic relief from rising price levels, with Tom Scott urging against the re-election of President Biden. Tom Saracco called for a revision of rent control laws, suggesting they bear closer resemblance to national Section 8 laws.
Calls for Recognizing Achievements
The op-ed wasn’t all critique and controversy. A shout-out was also given to Michael Strahan for his generous donation to a local high school, with Sean Felder suggesting ways to further celebrate the team’s achievements.
The wealth of responses to the op-ed demonstrate the diverse public concerns in current times, but the return to a dialogue centered around the role of smartphones in schools signals the ongoing fight for quality education amidst advancing technology.