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News Article ViewerCouncil’s CornerPhones Down, Connections UpIn the legislative session, the Utah legislature enacted S.B. 69, which mandates the prohibition of student usage of cell phones, smartwatches, and comparable electronic devices throughout the school day. I support this legislation, not only due to the inherent distractions posed by mobile devices, but also because it fosters interpersonal interactions among students, encouraging them to engage in face-to-face communication rather than being glued to their phones.The proliferation of cell phones and social media platforms among children and adolescents has been a recurring topic of discussion at the state capitol. Over the past several years, I have watched numerous hearings held at the capitol and listened to the testimonies of parents who have witnessed the adverse mental and emotional effects of social media on their children.While social media can serve as a means of connecting with friends and family, there is mounting evidence of its detrimental impact on children and adolescents, including depression and anxiety, diminished self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and addiction.Given the presence of numerous negative and destructive influences online, coupled with the detrimental health risks associated with social media for children and adolescents, it would be prudent to delay giving smartphones with social media and internet access to our children and teenagers. Numerous phone options are available that only allow texting and calling. By providing these devices without social media and the internet, we can enable our kids to engage in childhood activities without succumbing to the addictive nature of social media, destructive influences, and the constant exposure to screens. I would encourage all of us to prioritize face-to-face interactions and activities with our family, friends, and people around us. Spend less time looking down at a phone, watching others live their lives, and spend more time looking up, creating, learning something new, engaging in learning, exploring. –Kimberly Casperson, Washington City CouncilWashingtonUtah.gov/council
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