Schools are among many across the country grappling with how to do away with cell phones, at a time when experts say social networks Its use among young people is almost universal, and that screen time is related to higher rates of anxiety and depression among the children.

But a survey sent out by the South Florida school district earlier this fall found that of the more than 70,000 students, teachers and parents surveyed, nearly one in five parents believe the cell phone ban is having a negative impact. on the well-being of their students.

One of the main concerns of the students and parents surveyed is not being able to communicate with their families, especially in the event of an emergency, an anxiety that deeply affects the district that houses Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schoolwhere a 2018 shooting killed 17 people.

District officials have said students can use their phones during an emergency and that teachers also have the flexibility to grant access to children for other reasons.

“I don’t think any of us think kids should be on their phones during class,” said Erin Gohl, a parent and district advocate.

“We’re really talking about giving kids tools in the moments they need them,” he added, including allowing students to use their phones for “positive mental health purposes.”

Fort Lauderdale-area district officials have acknowledged that implementation of the policy has been inconsistent. Some teachers have struggled to monitor students’ phone use and are facing the reality that, for some children, phones may be a necessary tool to access online lessons and turn in assignments, especially for those who do not have a laptop provided by the school. And parents have argued that their students are better off on their phones, helping them coordinate afternoon pick-up times or texting their parents for advice about a school bully.

“I don’t expect students to say, or parents of high school students to say, sure, they don’t want their kids to have cell phones,” said Howard Hepburn, Broward schools superintendent. “The expectation that we will just have a difficult stop is not the reality. It takes time.”

Landyn Spellberg, a student advisor for the Broward school board, said phones have many benefits and that the district’s blanket ban is not helping students with something many adults still struggle with: learning to use technology in a safe way. healthy. .

“I think it’s important that we teach students about the negatives,” he said. “We don’t inform students about those things.”

___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.