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Patrons urge board to act on student anxiety, cell phone use; state task force recommended ban
Summary
Two patrons and board members raised concerns about student anxiety tied to cell phones and social media during the public-comment period. Staff and board members said a district policy is in development; a state task force recommended banning cell phones but left decisions to districts.
James Hanford, a Derby resident, told the Board of Education on May 12 that student anxiety — which he linked in part to widespread cellphone use and online algorithms — is a pressing concern and urged the board to consider stronger limits. "Cell phones themselves are so, everywhere now, so it's complicated," Hanford said during the public-comment period, citing research and historical examples of social panics.
Board members and patrons continued the discussion after Hanford. One patron said the…
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