Pediatricians, school leaders tell committee phone‑free schools reduce bullying and may improve mental health

Three physicians and a former school‑board member told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee that restricting student cell‑phone use during school hours is one of the most direct actions state and local officials can take to reduce distraction, cyberbullying and youth mental‑health harms.

Dr. George Vanna, a triple‑boarded physician who works on child psychiatry consults, said studies and clinician experience show a steady increase in depression, anxiety and attention disorders in children that coincides with rising smartphone and social‑media use. He described cyberbullying as a potent, hard‑to‑treat risk factor and supported a phone‑free school environment as a prevention tool.

Former school‑board member and coach Charlie Buttry described the experience of Thetford schools, which adopted phone‑free policies. He said students reported improved attention and engagement, and that district officials saw reduced classroom disruptions. Buttry urged a statewide policy because local districts may face uneven parental pushback.

Dr. Rima Carlson, a family physician who treats children and adolescents, described clinical observations linking heavy screen time to sleep problems, reduced physical activity and social isolation. She recounted a case in which a teenager reacted violently after losing phone access and said randomized trial evidence shows short‑term reductions in phone and social‑media use improve psychological symptoms.

Witnesses urged the committee to pair school policies with parent education and community alternatives that give families practical ways to reduce phone dependence and support healthy social development for youth. No formal legislative action was taken during the testimony.