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Parents press Rhinebeck board for K–12 phone‑free policy, cite mental‑health concerns
Summary
Multiple parents urged the board to adopt K–12 limits on smartphone use, citing research on youth mental health and classroom disruption; the technology committee said a digital‑wellness guest is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Several parents used the citizens’ comment period to urge the board to pursue stronger norms or a formal K–12 phone‑free policy.
"My name is Lisa Nadler, and I'm the mother of two girls ages 5 and 8... I'm deeply concerned about the effects of smartphone technology and social media is having on our kids' well‑being," a parent told the board, citing international research and a U.S. surgeon‑general advisory on youth mental health.
Another parent referenced a U.K. high school that implemented a smartphone ban and reported drops in classroom disruptions and truancy; she said the cultural shift had a noticeable effect on student interactions and cafeteria atmosphere.
Tech‑committee members acknowledged the concerns and said digital‑wellness work is already underway: Nikki (technology committee) said Mary Lanza applied for a grant and the committee has arranged a guest speaker on digital wellness who will visit schools and present to the public on Jan. 7. The board did not adopt a phone policy at this meeting; parents requested districtwide K–12 consideration and further discussion.
Speakers cited academic studies and anecdotal evidence that proximity to phones can reduce test performance and increase anxiety; the transcript records calls from parents for the district to consider specific options such as docking phones outside classrooms, bell‑to‑bell policies or use of locking pouches.
