Oceanside High School hosted the first part of its Parent University book talk series on Jan. 7, engaging parents, educators, and community members in a discussion about the challenges of raising children in a smartphone-driven world. Centered on Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation, the workshop shed light on the impact of smartphones on youth mental health and the role parents and educators can play in fostering healthier childhoods.
Insights Into Teen Smartphone Use
Oceanside High School teacher Jason Manning shared data collected from a survey of 190 ninth graders, revealing the prevalence of smartphone use among students:
Early Phone Ownership: 82 percent received their first phone by fifth or sixth grade.
Heavy Usage: 72 percent spend 3-6 hours on their phones daily, with 20 percent reporting over seven hours of use.
Social Media Dominance: The majority cited social media and texting as their primary activities.
Bedtime Use: 84 percent admitted to using their phones before bed, with nearly half indicating this happens “always.”
Mental Health Impact: While 68 percent acknowledged both positive and negative effects of smartphone use on their mental health, 75 percent expressed willingness to reduce screen time to improve their well-being.
“This data shows that students are aware of the effects of their phone habits but feel stuck when it comes to taking action,” Manning said.
In response, Oceanside High School has introduced a ninth-grade media literacy unit designed to help students critically evaluate the information they consume and navigate digital challenges more effectively.
Smartphones and the Decline of Play-Based Childhoods
Dr. Nina Weisenreder, the school psychologist and coordinator of the High School Wellness Center, delved deeper into the connection between smartphones and rising mental health concerns among adolescents. She cited research showing a causal link between smartphone usage and the increase in anxiety and depression since 2010, coinciding with the devices’ widespread adoption.
A significant contributor, according to Weisenreder, is the decline in play-based childhoods, where the majority of free time is spent playing with friends in the real world.
“Human children are wired to connect, in part, by tuning and synchronizing their movements and emotions with others and smartphones can disrupt this essential face-to-face interaction,” she said.
Modern childhood, often dominated by screens, has replaced essential face-to-face interactions with digital engagement, leaving children less equipped to handle stress and form meaningful connections. The breakout session included participants from various backgrounds. School Board President Michael D’Ambrosio brought his perspective to the discussion.
“We have to keep adapting and I think that with technology, especially coming with AI, nobody’s going to be able to catch up to technology,” he said. “People are not speaking anymore, they’re texting.”
Practical Takeaways
The discussion concluded with suggestions for fostering healthier relationships with technology:
Set Family Rules: Establish clear boundaries for phone usage, such as device-free meals or designated screen-free hours.
Open Communication: Create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences and challenges.
Collaborate with Other Parents: Build a network of like-minded parents to support collective decisions about technology use
The event reinforced the idea that while the challenges of a tech-driven world are vast, they are not insurmountable when addressed together.