This effort is being led by the Massachusetts Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project which includes the following organizations: Becca Schmill Foundation, Smartphone Free Childhood US Parent Collective, APPstinent, Turning Life On, Arlington Parents – Smartphone Sense, Sudbury for Digital Balance, Lex Kids be Kids, Heads Up-Phones Down, Unite for Safe Social Media, and Reconnect Malden as well as concerned parents, community members, educators, and public health professionals.
For FAQs, please see our Briefing Document.
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THE LETTER
Dear Massachusetts Legislators,
We, the undersigned parents, teachers, students, and community members, support the introduction of legislation to ensure that every student in Massachusetts has access to the benefits of a school environment that is free from personal electronic devices and social media, and prioritizes student academic learning, focus, social development, and emotional well-being.
The U.S. is experiencing a mental health crisis. The causes may be multifaceted, but the weight of the evidence clearly shows a significant relationship with exposure to social media and other digital and online products. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has said that children need device-free spaces – including schools – and has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media. Dr. Murthy says that, “the risk of not acting could be someone’s life.”
Extensive research has made it abundantly clear that bell-to-bell personal device-free policies improve school environments by increasing academic engagement, improving learning outcomes, and student’s social connection. Devices, including but not limited to cellular phones, tablets, smartwatches, other wearables, and gaming devices, distract from learning and interrupt opportunities for students to engage in face to face interaction with each other.
Social media platforms are also a source of distraction and increased opportunities for cyberbullying. In May 2023, the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, stated that social media platforms have not been determined to be sufficiently safe for use by children and adolescents. We do know is that social media platforms are purposefully designed to be addictive. Constant notifications and “likes” cause the brain to release dopamine, an internal reward system, resulting in a craving for more. Young brains are most vulnerable to addictive features and need a break from the unhealthy pull of these devices.
For the reasons stated above a bill should require the following:
Personal electronic devices are turned off, securely locked away, and inaccessible to students from “first bell to last bell,” and while students are being supervised by district staff. (exceptions for medical needs and IEP plans).
Prohibition of integrating social media platforms into student education and communications for school-to-student or after-school programs run by the school district. However, this does not prevent a school from using social media for non-student community communication and school-to-parent/guardian communication.
Thank you for considering this legislation.
