Should families and schools restrict smartphones?

The first iPhone came out in 2007, when this year’s graduating high school seniors were toddlers learning to speak. Today, almost all high school students (95 percent) have access to a smartphone, according to the Pew Research Center.

Scrolling through social media posts has become central to young people’s lives, but there’s also a growing conversation about the downsides. Constant connectivity is linked to an increase in teen mental health struggles, attention problems and slumps in academic achievement.

The issue got more attention at the state Capitol this year too. Lawmakers passed legislation that requires schools to have cellphone policies in place by next spring.

MPR News correspondent and guest host Catharine Richert talks about how lawmakers, parents, educators and teens themselves are trying to better manage screen time for their wellbeing. 

Guests:  

• Rep. Sandra Feist, DFL-New Brighton was co-sponsor of the bill in the Minnesota House that was passed into law this spring requiring Minnesota public schools to adopt a cell phone policy by March 15, 2025.  

• Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove was co-sponsor of the bill in the Minnesota House that was passed into law this spring requiring Minnesota public schools to adopt a cell phone policy by March 15, 2025. 

• Katherine Myers is the executive director and co-founder of LiveMore ScreenLess, a Minnesota nonprofit organization that works with families, communities and schools to reduce screen time and promote digital wellbeing. She retired in 2018 after teaching English for 25 years in public and private schools.  

• Catalina Martinez is a junior at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights and a member of the school’s Digital Wellbeing Club. 

• LaRae Dodson is a senior at Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights and a member of the school’s Digital Wellbeing Club.  

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 Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.