The National Parents Union has released a new poll of parents of K-12 students on the issue of cell phone use in schools and children's use of social media. It is clear that parents do not view cell phone use and social media use as the same.
The survey found that the majority of parents want their children to have access to cell phones during school hours, with reasonable limits on how long they can use them. The majority of parents do not want schools to see the value of connectivity for issues such as locking students' phones, contacting them in emergencies, and coordinating transportation to and from school.
However, parents are concerned about the negative impact social media has on children and their mental health, with more than eight in 10 parents supporting a minimum age limit for social media.
When it comes to cell phone use at school, parents lack confidence in keeping their children away from their phones during the day at school. 43% of parents said their children would be banned from using cellphones at school unless they had a medical condition, but only 32% supported this policy. A majority of parents (56%) believe that students should be able to use cell phones occasionally at school, during lunch or recess, at athletic events, and for teacher-approved academic purposes during class.
Parents want to limit the use of cell phones to avoid disruption in schools, with widespread support for banning cell phones from being used for non-academic purposes, such as texting or entertainment during class. A majority of parents (57%) said cell phone policies should be at the school or district level.
When it comes to social media, parents are concerned about the impact of social media on their children. 83% of parents support a minimum age limit for their children to have their own social media accounts.
Among those who support age restrictions, a majority (20%) believe 13 should be the minimum age for social media accounts. Parents asked about their children's cell phone use in and out of school say they are concerned about the following negative effects on their children:
- Exposure to inappropriate content 63%
- Exposure to predators 60%
- Exposure to cyberbullying 57%
- Interferes with learning 49%
- Negative impact on mental health 44%
- Negatively affects social skills 42%
- Leads to bad behavior 41%
Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union, said:
“It is now 2024. Families everywhere are relying on their phones to stay connected and communicate more than ever. Whether it's connecting in an emergency, planning after-school logistics, or even if your child is feeling anxious about a school issue and needs positive reinforcement or advice, parents want to be able to have clear and open lines of communication with their children. own children. Banning cell phones entirely in schools or treating them like contraband without effective classroom management is completely unreasonable and does not correspond to the reality in which we live.
But the question of how social media is affecting our children is a huge concern for parents, considering its widespread and harmful effects that can be seen not only at school but also at home. “Every moment children use social media, they may be exposed to inappropriate content, bullying or mental health triggers, and we are looking for effective policy solutions to help address these new challenges.”
Children's use of mobile phones
- Most children receive their first cell phone between the ages of 10 and 13.
- Nearly eight in ten (78%) parents say their children use their phones for more than two hours a day, and the majority (29%) say their children use their phones for four to five hours each day.
- Parents are more likely to see positive effects when their children's phone use is less than three hours a day.
- Parents say their children are using their phones to:
- 89% call or text family
- Gameplay 79%
- 78% call or text a friend
- Listening to music 76%
- Take photos or record videos 75%
- Use of social media (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube) 65%
- Use apps or tools for school or homework 58%
- 6% support for health conditions or disabilities
- National Parents Association Survey
- Click here to see the topline.