Truth About Cell Phones

September 2024

Parents in the metro area strongly support a ban on cell phone use in schools and agree that social media companies should do more to limit children’s use of social media apps, according to the latest Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine poll. An overwhelming majority—85 percent of parents polled—support state laws limiting social media feeds for minors. Eighty-two percent agree that social media companies should do more to limit children’s use of their apps.

Most parents (72 percent) want their child to have a cell phone at school in case of an emergency, but 77 percent of the parents polled say they also support a ban on cell phone use in schools during the day.

Concern about overuse of social media is not limited to children. Nearly a third of those polled agree that they also spend too much time on social media on their cell phones. Some 16 percent of adults admit that they may be addicted to their cell phones, although most did not believe it was harming their relationships.

A strong 68 percent of parents believe parental controls for their children’s social media use are effective. Asked to estimate their children’s use of social media apps, 27 percent say their children spend up to two hours per day on social media apps; 34 percent say they spend between three and four hours; 16 percent say five or more hours per day; and a noteworthy 23 percent are not sure.

The issue of cell phone use in schools has been a hot topic as students return to class this month across the New York region.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pushing for a ban on internet access on students’ cellphones when they are in classes, while Assemblyman Keith Brown of Commack has introduced a bill prohibiting students from possessing their cellphones during classroom instruction. Many school districts across the state, including Hempstead, New York, have taken matters into their own hands, banning or placing restrictions on students’ cell phone use within their schools. In June, Governor Hochul signed into law two bills that target addictive social media apps and regulate social media algorithms. The bills made New York State the first in the nation to pass laws regulating social media algorithms.

“Excessive screen time and social media use can have detrimental effects on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children and adults,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “The home and school are crucial environments where we can mitigate these risks and establish guidelines that foster creative, productive, and socially constructive use of screen time while emphasizing hobbies, indoor and outdoor pursuits, and face-to-face interactions.”

Results of the latest Truth in Medicine poll, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, were released at a panel discussion and media briefing at Optimum’s Bethpage headquarters where leading academic and medical experts reviewed the poll’s findings. Optimum agreed to host the event with the support of the Long Island Association as part of their community outreach efforts.

Other key findings of the Truth in Medicine poll include:

• 99 percent of respondents have a cell phone or smart phone.
  
• 58 percent of parents report that at least one of their children has a cell phone or smart phone.
  
• A plurality of parents whose kids have a phone say they use all the social media apps listed. YouTube is the most used, followed by Snapchat and TikTok, which are tied for second place.
  
• 73 percent of parents agree that the schools their children attend are safe. 90 percent of parents with kids aged 6-10 believe their children’s schools are safe, compared to 75 percent of parents with kids aged 0-5, 70 percent of parents with kids aged 11-13, and 65 percent of parents with kids aged 14-17.
  

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to one hour per day for children 2-5 years old and two hours for children 6-17 years old, for uses not related to school or work. While one size does not fit all, it is important to discuss screen time with older children and monitor it afterward ... read more

• "Truth In Medicine" Poll Press Release
• "Truth In Medicine" Poll Results (PDF)