Banning cellphones doesn’t address the true issue – social media addiction

Courtesy: Ednovate Charter School

Instagram recently introduced new policies to address the negative impact of addictive social media apps on teenagers. These policies include setting teen accounts to private by default, disabling notifications at night, and providing more parental supervision tools.

While these changes are a step in the right direction, educators and parents understand that the issue of addiction goes beyond just Instagram. This is a moment for reflection for all of us as we work to support and protect the next generation of leaders. We need to look beyond individual platforms and address the broader issue of technology addiction.

As an educator with over 20 years of experience, and now leading a network of high schools in Southern California serving students from underserved communities, I have seen firsthand the impact of technology on teenagers. Social media and gaming apps have become incredibly captivating, making it challenging for young people to develop self-regulation skills.

Research has shown that excessive social media use can have negative effects on mental health, with girls who spend five or more hours on social media being three times more likely to experience depression. This is a concerning trend that requires our attention.

It can be overwhelming for parents, teachers, and anyone invested in the well-being of our youth. The rise of cellphone bans in schools raises important questions about the root of the issue. Are students addicted to their phones, or are they addicted to the social media and gaming apps that dominate their online experiences?

Cellphones themselves are not the problem; it is the addictive nature of certain apps that poses a challenge. Rather than banning phones outright, we should focus on addressing the addictive features of these apps. Cellphones can be valuable tools for learning and communication, and we should strive to strike a balance that promotes healthy usage.

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This issue requires a collective effort. Educators, parents, and policymakers need to work together to address the addictive nature of social media and gaming apps. We should advocate for changes within these companies to prioritize the well-being of young users.

Instead of solely relying on cellphone bans, we should engage with social media and gaming companies to develop solutions that promote responsible usage. By collaborating with these companies, we can create a safer online environment for young people.

As CEO of Ednovate, a network of charter high schools, I urge social media and gaming companies to partner with us in finding practical solutions to combat addictive technologies. Together, we can work towards a healthier digital landscape for our youth.

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Oliver Sicat is the CEO of Ednovate, a network of free, public charter high schools in Los Angeles and Orange County. Ednovate primarily serves first-generation college-bound students from underrepresented and underserved communities.

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