Experts have long emphasized that excessive screen time and social media use pose challenges for everyone. However, the concern is particularly acute among children, especially within the school environment. This year, significant efforts have been made in Connecticut to implement policies and legislation aimed at regulating technology for kids.

Statewide Privacy Law: A Milestone for Children's Data

On October 1st, a statewide privacy law came into effect. This law restricts the data that social media companies and other online entities can collect from minors. It also prohibits these companies from using addictive design features to boost a minor's platform usage. Connecticut now stands as one of eight states in the country with such protective laws, highlighting its commitment to safeguarding children's data and privacy.

Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff expressed his gratitude for these laws, stating, "We're very fortunate in the fact that the state of Connecticut has the strongest data privacy laws for children. We've worked on data privacy for a number of years because it is so important, and there are no real guardrails for social media companies when it comes to children's data and children's privacy." He further added that if social media companies fail to comply with the new law, the attorney general has the authority to take legal action, which could lead to trials or fines.

But Duff hopes that social media companies will cooperate with the state and parents. He believes that understanding the rationale behind these regulations is crucial for everyone involved.

School District Policies: Restricting Cell Phone Use

In August, the Connecticut Board of Education outlined policy guidelines to limit cell phone usage in schools. These guidelines were partly based on the United States Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which highlighted the detrimental effects of social media on children's mental health and brain development.

At Barnard Environmental and Technology School in New Haven, thirteen-year-old Omar Mushtaq shared his thoughts. He said, "I feel like the content that I see nowadays is much more - stupid, degenerate, almost. It's super weird random things. It's almost made me feel less smart - dumber almost - watching the insane stupid stuff that people post online." Barnard was one of the first schools to implement a cell phone ban. During the school day, students lock their phones in a magnetic pouch.

Principal Stephanie Skiba recounted her observations. She said, "My first year here at Barnard as a principal, I saw that students were highly engaged in their phones in the cafeteria, the hallways, and the classrooms during classroom observations. When I would sit and build relationships with students, they were often showing me TikToks and different things they were doing on social media without a whole lot of depth. And one student in particular at dismissal had shown me 30 TikToks she had done that day, so I asked myself when is the learning happening?"

Benefits of the Cell Phone-Free Pilot Program

Many students at Barnard believe that the cell phone-free pilot program has been beneficial.

Eighth grader Nathaly Ynoa Martinez said, "It was a big commitment, especially to me, because I used to be addicted to my phone, but now it's gotten better. And it lowers screen time, and it helps me focus more on my work."

Thirteen-year-old Owen Agba also shared his experience. He said, "I'm kinda happy that I don't get to use my phone during the day because my grades got better ever since then."

Mushtaq added that he has felt more connected to his peers, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries with technology.

According to Fran Rabinowitz, the executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, about half of the school districts in Connecticut have adopted some form of cell phone-free policy since the board's announcement. New Haven's school district plans to make every public elementary, middle, and high school cell phone-free by the end of 2025.