SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News): Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District announced Monday night that it would join the nationwide lawsuit against social media apps due to the emotional stress the apps produce in students.
Over 200 school districts across the country are suing social media companies for contributing to an ongoing mental health crisis among students.
According to the the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Social Media and Youth Mental Health advisory, up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.”
The advisory said “roughly two-thirds (64%) of adolescents are ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ exposed to hate-based content. Because adolescence is a vulnerable period of brain development, social media exposure during this period warrants additional scrutiny.”
“I have already had to attend numerous meetings discussing phones and how big of a problem they have become in the classroom,” said Elbert Maeweather, a 6th grade math teacher at Clary Middle School. “Students continue to find excuses to try to use their phones during class and hide them from us.”
Maeweather said some nearby school districts have implemented rules that enabled them to take away student’s phones during the school day. He said that although a few parents tried to sue the schools at first, eventually student’s grades increased and negative behaviors decreased and the charges were dropped.
“My son is constantly glued to his iPad” a Syracuse resident, Alisha Waller, said. “When my son has company, they’re constantly on their devices and I have to force them to go outside. This is a completely different generation growing up compared to mine and I am worried about their futures.”
Waller said she thinks this lawsuit is the first step towards protecting student’s mental health and she is glad many nearby school districts are becoming involved.
Maeweather said the situation is a double edged sword, “You want to make sure your child is safe and can be reached at any time, but also want to make sure they are not distracted.”
Maeweather said he is not certain if the Syracuse City School District will join the lawsuit.
The Oswego City School Destrict, Mexico Central School District , Hannibal Central School Distrcit , East Syracuse Minoa Central District and Westhill Central School Discritct all have moved forward to participate in the lawsuit.
Mexico Central City School District says it plans to use the money to help kids learn how to use social media responsibly.
