Monday, May 19, 2025
With Governor Kathy Hochul proposing a smartphone restriction law for schools, and teen phone use on the rise, Oceanside High School held a viewing of the film Screenagers Next Chapter for parents on Feb. 11.
Screenagers Next Chapter is a documentary that looks into the mental health of teenagers in general, and how it’s affected by screen time. Governor Hochul’s proposed law would leave it up to schools to develop an implementation plan in a way that removes screen use from schools.
“I’m always worried about it too,” said Leanne Christel, a high school parent. “And I think that my takeaway is that I’m validated in worrying about it.”
According to the film, teens who are heavy screen users see increasing anxiety the longer they are away from their phones. Teens who are moderate screen users see an initial state of anxiety, but that goes away the longer their phones are away.
“There can be the distraction in the moment with the devices, but also the likelihood for there to be fragmentation of attention,” said Nina Weisenreder, the high school’s psychologist and coordinator of its wellness center. “I think the tendency to isolate and distract with social media and devices.”
Teens in the film reported being unable to remove themselves from their phones. Others reported finding support for there mental health online using their phones, including meditation guidance, breath work exercises, and personal stories about coping skills.
“Kids that are engaged in other things and use it moderately, I think it could be a positive thing,” said Sara Dowler, the high school’s health teacher. “It’s kids that they’re so wrapped up that they’re putting other things aside, including interacting with other people and joining different clubs and sports.”
Some parents are in support of the potential law.
“I like it,” Christel said. “I don’t think they should be in school and I think the biggest people who have problems with phones not in school are the parents. I don’t think the kids really mind, to be honest with you. “
Dianne Provvido, the superintendent of curriculum, explained that there are a variety of different practices that are currently in place in Oceanside schools.
“We do have in our high schools pockets where students are able, through teacher direction, to put their cell phones in pockets,” Provvido said. “At the younger grades we don’t have cell phones out. It’s not a practice that we allow and similarly in the middle school.”
Provvido believes that schools should take the middle path with regards to smartphones.
“There’s a reality to phones, and there has to be balance, not extremes on either end,” Provvido said. “I do think that whatever is in place is going to be with the intent and the impact of helping our kids be healthier, more focused learners.”
Provvido sees a potential challenge in implementing the new policy uniformly across grade levels, but is generally positive about the potential law.
“It’s different in each of the levels, because the kids are different…I’m sure there’ll be a curve of some sort in implementing it,” Provvido said. “But I’m hopeful because I think that kids want to be their best selves. I think parents want to partner with us.”
At the Oceanside school board meeting on Feb.12, Superintendent Phyllis Harrington also acknowledged the challenges of implementing a strict, one-size-fits-all phone ban.
“The governor has made her proposal tied to her budget,” she said. “It’s an extreme position, and many districts have taken that position. “My personal and professional opinion, given the reality of what students are used to, is that if we are given an option to make a local policy, we would start by restricting cell phone use during instructional periods.”
Oceanside High School already has classrooms where students place their phones in pouches during lessons. This prevents distractions while allowing students access to their devices outside of class. These practices aren’t explicit policies, but they are showing positive results.
“The practices are successful,” Provvido said. “You’ll have students who might not necessarily use, or follow, what the teacher’s practice is, but when they’re in place you do see that it benefits our students in terms of their focus.”
Board President Michael D’Ambrosio clarified that no official policy has been implemented yet.
“We do not have a policy in place, and the board has not agreed to one,” he said. “We’re just having a discussion to figure out what’s best for the students.”
