State representatives recently gathered for a virtual forum to discuss the impact of technology on students, staff, teachers, and caregivers in and out of the classroom. While many educators are using digital tools to enhance learning experiences and prepare students for the digital future, advocates in Bend-La Pine schools believe that the increased use of cell phones and social media could lead to issues such as depression, loneliness, isolation, and distraction for students.
During the forum, state representatives hinted at possibly removing cell phones from classrooms to address these concerns. The idea of holding tech giants accountable is also being discussed, with a federal lawsuit being filed against META, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for allegedly designing platforms to addict children and teenagers.
Oregon State Representative Lisa Reynolds emphasized the importance of creating an environment without cell phones in the classroom by establishing a rule with student and parent buy-in. Despite concerns from some parents about needing to reach their children during school hours for emergencies, Representative Reynolds mentioned that there are other ways to communicate in such situations.
The consensus among representatives is that policy regarding the use of technology in schools needs to be implemented at the district or state level to ensure a safe and effective learning environment for all students involved.
