Meeting on Cellphones, Social Media in Upper School

by Talia Herbst, SSLI '25

On Monday evening, parents met with student representatives and school administrators for a discussion about the school's current cell phone policy and the possibility of a change to the rules according to our Student-Parent Handbook. This meeting was inspired, in part, by the growing national conversation about the potentially deleterious effects of technology such as cell phones and social media on today's youth.

Parents, students, and administration came together to discuss the future of cellphones at Schechter.

Since the start of the school year, some schools around the country have banned or further limited students' use of phones. Districts have implemented different policies, such as having students put their phones in Yondr Pouches, which keep phones locked up until the time the bell rings for dismissal. 

The question is, are cell phones so harmful to students, and are they having such a negative effect on teachers' classes that they need to be banned in our school?

Chana Diamond, a current parent, board member, and Schechter alumna who attended the meeting, shared, “I wanted to have this meeting because I am a concerned human, and I see Schechter as being a central part of my family’s life. This is a topic central to my life because, as we know, phones and social media are not going anywhere.”

Head of School Ofra Hiltzik said, “The meeting was productive for me as a leader of the school.” Paw Print Now advisor and Upper School Assistant Principal Mr. Thorgersen agreed, saying the meeting was productive because “we brought the students into the meeting.” Hiltzik added, “I saw how beautifully the students there represented the school.”

During the meeting, Thorgersen shared survey results representing the faculty's perspective on cell phones. According to presented graphs, faculty members shared a general concern for how technology might be affecting young people. However, teachers did not find that cell phones were a significant concern in classrooms, nor did they report that students' possession of cell phones inhibited teaching and learning during class time.

Topics such as social media use in and outside of school, concerns of cell phones causing distractions in classrooms, faculty’s perspective of cell phones affecting their teaching, and how to navigate social media were all covered. Senior and Student Government Vice President Samson Mildron said that social media can be dangerous; however, he noted, “At Schechter, we are held accountable for our actions, and we hold others accountable for their actions.”

According to parents in attendance, some parents feel uncertain when it comes to how to properly address the issue of social media with their children--especially parents of children in elementary and middle school. To this, junior and Student Government Treasurer Micah Bidner stated, “Schechter prepares you for the real world and gives us the tools we need to use social media platforms appropriately.”

Diamond was very pleased with how the meeting was conducted. She “loved that our community welcomes thoughtful conversation—especially when difficult—among all parties."

As far as Schechter altering the cell phone policy, there are currently no plans for change. While the Schechter administration acknowledges the issue is an important one, Thorgersen explained, “Schechter is its own entity with its own culture and its own quality of students. What would work in other schools does not necessarily work for us.”

Diamond referred to the phrase "the only way through is through" as her perspective on this issue. She concluded, “Phones, social media, technology, and AI (artificial intelligence) are here to stay. We have to figure out how to manage it.”

The meeting beautifully expressed how the Schechter community is able to come together to discuss topics and issues affecting our world and, most importantly, our students, said both administrators and parents.

For now, the conversation is ongoing, and there are plans to publish the viewpoints of those who attended the meeting for the community to read and consider.

Talia Herbst is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2021. Talia is currently a senior at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: therbst25@schechterli.org