Smartphones have become inseparable from daily life, especially for young people. In Mesa County, Colorado, concerns over how these devices affect students’ mental health have spurred new policies and initiatives. With teenagers spending an average of 9 hours on their phones each day—5 of those on social media—the conversation has become more urgent.
Students Speak Out: Struggles with Social Media
For many students, smartphones are both a blessing and a burden. Maddox Rewold, a Palisade High School student, reflected on how social media dominates his attention.
“I’m constantly looking at other peoples’ standards and posts all the time,” he admitted. “I’m really not living my own life.”
Similarly, Kolhter Howard, another student, shared his struggles. “I constantly relied on my phone. I was always on it 24/7. I wasn’t talking to my family. I was just sitting there on my phone and not really being productive with my time.”
These honest admissions highlight a growing issue: students are finding it harder to disconnect from their screens and engage in real-world activities.
Broader Concerns: Educators and Experts Weigh In
Educators and mental health professionals are witnessing the widespread effects of smartphone overuse. Dr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of District 51, pointed to several areas of concern:
- Sleep Disruption: Many students struggle to get adequate rest due to excessive screen time.
- Classroom Distraction: Phones often divert attention away from learning.
- Social Skills: Time spent on devices reduces face-to-face interactions with peers.
Licensed counselor Hali Nurnberg emphasized that parents, too, are feeling the effects. “They’re juggling work, raising kids, and trying to balance everything,” she explained. “Phones often become a dissociative distraction technique, interfering with meaningful connections.”
Tackling the Problem: New Policies in Action
In response to these challenges, District 51, supported by the Western Colorado Community Foundation and Colorado Attorney General’s office, introduced a new smartphone policy in Fall 2024.
The initiative, branded under the slogan “More Social, Less Media,” encourages reduced screen time and increased real-life interactions. Key strategies include:
- Requiring classrooms to use storage boxes for phones.
- Piloting Yonder pouches in four schools, which lock phones during the school day.
These measures have already gained traction, with students noticing positive changes. “People now are starting to use their phones a lot less,” Howard observed. “They’re trying to talk to people more often without using social media.”
Balancing Utility and Regulation
While many applaud the new policies, some students see the need for balance. Rewold highlighted the utility of phones in classrooms. “When there’s not enough calculators or Chromebooks, phones are great tools,” he said.
Still, the policies appear to be having a lasting impact. Rewold noted that his habits outside of school have also changed. “A lot of times I just don’t see my phone,” he said. “I use it now as a form of communication as opposed to a form of entertainment.”
Building a Playbook for the Future
District leaders are keen to ensure these changes have a lasting effect. Dr. Hill emphasized the importance of preparing students for adulthood. “When they are adults, they’re on their own. Are they going to be able to be responsible with those devices?”
Attorney General Phil Weiser echoed this sentiment, stating that Mesa County’s approach could serve as a model for other districts. “They’re working on a playbook here,” he said.
Nurnberg added that fostering stronger community bonds is key. “The more we can build strong bonds in our community, the healthier we would be as individuals, as families, and as a society.”
