As we know, many teachers and staff are concerned about cell phone use and social media for students in SDHS, but what about the Psychology teachers’ opinions on this topic?
Two of the Psychology teachers here on campus, Mrs. Gibson and Mr. Fenton, were both interviewed about how Social Media and Cell Phone use are affecting Students here at SDHS. As their opinions were roughly the same, both of them presented different perspectives that are interesting to know about.
When asked, ‘From a psychological standpoint, could allowing phones in class reduce anxiety in students who feel safer being connected?’ Gibson states, ‘It really depends on the case, on the student, what they are using it for? I’ve had students who are diabetics, and they track their insulin. But then you have to be careful with students who might have depression and things like that. And maybe not looking at the right stuff or maybe even on their feed because of the AI configuration that is bringing up stuff that is not helping them for their mental health.’ When asking the same question to Fenton, he responds with, ‘I don’t think so, I think. Generally, it increases anxiety just because of the constant need to check the phones, checking the status, updates, whatever. But there is a constant desire to check the phones to be connected with everyone all the time. So I think that it increases anxiety. I think there is a constant looking at social media or whatever they are looking at in comparison with themselves, and seeing how they match up. I think that causes more anxiety. So I think allowing phones in the classroom does increase anxiety.’
Getting an opinion from both Psychology teachers gives an understanding of how cell phones have affected students in the classroom. The effects are both positive and negative, learning this gives students an open mind to be less reliant on the phone and screens, and shows them to be more open to life.
