During a recent meeting, a concerned parent from Skokie addressed District 219 officials regarding the rising mental health issues among teenagers, particularly emphasizing the negative impact of smartphones and social media on adolescent well-being. The parent, a public health professional, highlighted alarming statistics, noting that over 60% of teens report feelings of loneliness and isolation, which she attributes in part to the pervasive use of technology.

Citing research from Jonathan Haidt's book, \"The Anxious Generation,\" the parent urged the district to implement a policy requiring students to store their smartphones in designated pouches during school hours. This initiative, she argued, would help students focus on their studies and foster genuine social interactions, free from digital distractions. She referenced a national survey indicating that 82% of parents support the removal of phones from schools, aligning with a recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General advocating for phone-free classrooms.

The parent presented compelling data to support her proposal, including findings from a 2023 survey revealing that students check their phones every three to four minutes during class, leading to significant distractions and lower academic performance. Specifically, students interrupted by text messages scored ten points lower on tests, while those spending excessive time on devices faced a 35% increased risk of suicide compared to their less-connected peers. In contrast, schools that have banned phones reported improvements in test scores and reading levels.

As a parent who plans to delay smartphone access for her children until high school, she expressed a desire for the district to support efforts to create phone-free environments, prioritizing student health and academic success over the interests of the tech industry. The meeting underscored a growing movement among parents advocating for changes in school policies to address the challenges posed by technology in the lives of young people.