NYSUT Conference Focuses on Impact of Cellphones and Social Media on Student Well-being
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The 600,000-member-strong union NYSUT, which stands for New York State United Teachers, held a conference on September 20 to discuss the impact of cellphones and social media on student well-being.
Polling Shows Strong Support for Stricter Policies
NYSUT said its polling shows that almost 80% of its members believe cell phones and social media negatively impact students, strongly supporting stricter policies on using devices during school hours. The conference featured expert panels on social media overuse, model cellphone policies, and strategies to promote healthy tech habits.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Assemblymember Shelley Mayer Speak at Conference
Speakers at the conference included New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assemblymember Shelley Mayer. Hochul kicked off the event by talking about the challenge of supporting kids’ mental health after the pandemic, with many students still struggling to catch up socially and academically. She highlighted New York’s legislation aimed at breaking social media platforms free of constant distractions so students can connect with others, learn, and grow.
Meta Launches New Instagram Features for Teens
Following Hochul, Rep. Mayer drew a direct line connecting New York’s legislation to new policies from social media platforms. She mentioned Meta’s recent launch of specialized Instagram accounts for teens, which include automatic safety limits, stronger privacy controls, and daily time management reminders.
Experts Warn of Ongoing Mental Health Crisis
The conference also featured a warning from State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who said that social media companies need to do more to minimize addictive content and stop collecting data. He warned that the government will step in if the social media industry doesn’t step up.
Study Finds Link Between Screen Time and Eating Disorders
A study published in the journal "Eating and Weight Disorders" found that spending too much time online made eating disorders more likely among children and teens. Research showed that more screen time, especially on social media, increased the risk of eating disorder symptoms like fear of weight gain, low self-worth tied to appearance, and unhealthy eating behaviors.
Conclusion
The NYSUT conference highlighted the need for stricter policies on cellphone use and social media to promote healthy tech habits among students. The conference also emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing mental health crisis and the need for social media companies to take responsibility for their role in shaping young minds.
FAQs
Q: What is the main focus of the NYSUT conference?
A: The main focus of the NYSUT conference is the impact of cellphones and social media on student well-being.
Q: What percentage of NYSUT members believe cell phones and social media negatively impact students?
A: Almost 80% of NYSUT members believe cell phones and social media negatively impact students.
Q: What new features did Meta launch for Instagram teens?
A: Meta launched specialized Instagram accounts for teens, which include automatic safety limits, stronger privacy controls, and daily time management reminders.
Q: What is the goal of New York’s legislation aimed at social media platforms?
A: The goal of New York’s legislation is to break social media platforms free of constant distractions so students can connect with others, learn, and grow.
