Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa is introducing a new policy to improve students’ mental health and well-being. From the start of the next school year, students will be banned from using their phones, headphones, and air pods during the school day.
Caden Walker, a high school student who recognizes the negative impact his phone use has had on his mental health, supports the policy. He believes that his phone provides distractions that have exacerbated his mental health issues. With Gen Z being more digitally connected than ever, most teenagers spend over eight hours a day using smartphones and social media. This has raised concerns among school administrators about the negative effects on students’ mental health.
Associate Principal Rob Randazzo is leading the Hoover Mental Health Movement, which aims to reimagine school without digital distractions to help improve students’ mental well-being. Randazzo has observed a rise in anxiety and depression among students, with evidence showing that these issues began as far back as 2012 with the widespread use of smartphones. To address this problem, Hoover High School is encouraging parents to wait until age 14 to give phones to their children and age 16 to allow social media use. While these changes may be challenging, school leaders believe it will help students reconnect with their families, community, and school.
The school hopes that by removing digital distractions, students will see an improvement in their grades, work quality, creativity, and overall well-being. They are excited about the potential positive impact this policy change will have on the students.
