Phones, apps and technology (Credit: LevittownNow via Commonwealth Media Services)
About 100 people attended an event Wednesday night at Pennridge High School centered around cellphone use policy in schools.
At “Phones, Focus, and the Future: A Community Conversation,” Pennridge School District residents discussed research on the impact of smartphones on mental health and appropriate policy responses.
Currently, Pennridge lets students use their cellphones between classes. Lawmakers in Harrisburg are now working toward passing legislation that would ban cellphone use in public schools from the start of the school day to the end.
“Last night was the beginning of a community conversation between our school district and community members including many parents,” said Lee Rush, a youth advocate who spoke at the discussion. “Regardless of whatever the legislators in Harrisburg ultimately decide to do with the current proposed ‘bell to bell, no cell’ bill, we need to continue our own local conversations about what’s best for our children.”
Professional counselor Lois Dodson and PA Unplugged co-leader Kirstin McGowan also addressed the forum. Rush said public feedback at the event was overwhelmingly positive for strong policies to address cellphone use.
