Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Experience Social Media topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students at Holmdel panel say social media creates pressure to be 'always available' and mixed views on stricter limits
Summary
Three Holmdel students told the panel that social media creates pressure to check in constantly, can lead to exclusion if students are offline, and that some peers both want fewer restrictions and welcome structured phone limits at school.
High-school students on the panel described the social pressures of constant connectivity and offered mixed views on school limits.
One student described the social consequences of being offline: "Teens today can feel like they have to be available 24 7 because everyone is connected through phones, social media all the time. If someone texts you and you don't answer for a while, people might think you're ignoring them... Apps like Snapchat make people... make people feel pressure to keep streaks going every day," the student said. Another student said she once went unplugged for three months while studying for the SAT and noted both the academic benefits and social tradeoffs: "I went unplugged for 3 months because I was studying for the SAT. My dad made me." Panelists also recounted feedback from a county dialogue where many students acknowledged phones are a serious distraction and some expressed relief at the idea of stricter in-school limits.
Students on the panel encouraged more outdoor time during the school day and urged administrators to explain the rationale and exceptions clearly if the district moves ahead with stricter phone rules. Panelists said clear communication to students and families and opportunities for monitored access where needed can help ease transition.
