The Courier of Montgomery County reports that being aware that students need to converse with their parents, trustees at Conroe ISD are looking at making adjustments to their cell phone policy. Members of the board are also cognizant of negative social media effects on kids.
During an August 1st board meeting, Chairman of the District’s Student Health Advisory Council, Bryce Speer, addressed trustees regarding issues with social media and students’ mental health.
U-S Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said, regarding social media and kids, “We don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media is associated with harm to young people’s mental health.”
Parents and district employees comprise the school board-appointed advisory council.
During the day, district policy mandates phones be put away. However, according to the council, a change in newer guidelines would prove beneficial.
Regarding cell phone access for kindergarten through eighth grade, the council was in favor of allowing use before and after school and keeping them on silent in back packs during school.
Regarding cell phone access for high school students, cell phone use would be restricted to times before and after school. However, 20 minutes of use during the day would be allowed to address their “personal matters.”
Although the board showed support of changing the policy, several board members inquired about the difficulties of teacher enforcement.
Superintendent Null said principals and campus staff would be needed to put together a new policy. He also said since many times students are sending texts to their parents, the involvement of parents would also be needed. He also passed along the importance of educating students regarding social media and ways to learn to manage it through one’s life.
At a future meeting, the board will take another look at their cell phone policy.
