Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida is hosting a workshop on Tuesday morning to address the importance of creating a mental health plan and review the student code of conduct. The student code of conduct from the previous school year includes mentions of social media, specifically condemning bullying and cyberbullying on social media platforms as well as listing “social media issues” as a potential reason for a student to be barred from participating in extracurricular activities.
There has been a growing concern regarding the impact of teen social media use on their mental health. Experts have warned about the negative effects it can have on young people. In a recent opinion piece in The New York Times, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized that social media plays a role in the mental health crisis among youth and advocated for warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those required for cigarettes.
As part of this effort, new regulations will go into effect in Florida starting January 1. Children under the age of 14 will be prohibited from having social media accounts, and 14- and 15-year-olds will require parental permission. Social media platforms will be required to terminate the accounts of any teens who do not meet these age restrictions.
The workshop on Tuesday morning is expected to focus on mental health and review the student code of conduct. Duval County Public Schools will be discussing strategies to support students’ mental health and well-being while also addressing the challenges posed by social media. The workshop will be livestreamed by News4JAX for those who are interested in tuning in.
Duval County Public Schools understands that teenagers today are constantly connected through social media, which can have both positive and negative effects on their mental health. Therefore, they are taking steps to ensure that their students are using social media safely and responsibly.
During the workshop, experts will discuss best practices for using social media safely and how parents can help their children navigate online challenges such as cyberbullying and addiction.
In addition to discussing mental health strategies, Duval County Public Schools will also review its current student code of conduct policies related to social media use.
Overall, this workshop aims to provide valuable information for parents, teachers, and students about how they can use technology safely while also promoting positive mental health outcomes.
It’s worth noting that this is not an unusual move by schools across the country who are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of technology on children’s lives.
Overall, it’s clear that Duval County Public Schools is committed to providing its students with the resources they need to succeed academically while also promoting positive mental health outcomes through responsible use of technology.
