ATLANTA — Emory researchers say new data is clear: Georgia parents want limits on personal cellphones in class.
Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer talked with Professor Julie Gazmararian for Channel 2 Action News This Morning starting at 4:30 a.m.
“We found out about 71% of parents with high school age children were supportive of the school ban during the school day,” Gazmararian said.
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Emory Rollins School of Public Health researchers spoke with Georgia parents for the new study. Parents say the top reason they support a ban is academic focus.
”They felt there would be a benefit if it was restricted during the school day. About 70% felt that it would improve social interactions and 69% indicated they had concerns with the mental health impact of the cell phone use during the day," Gazmararian said.
Of the 29% of Georgia parents who did not support a cellphone ban in high school, the top reason is not being able reach a child in an emergency.
Gazmararian says this is the first statewide analysis of parents’ perceptions.
“It’s important that we’re hearing the voices from others, not just school leaders and teachers, but also from parents and from students,” Gazmararian said, adding: “I think those will be the most successful policies, to be able to have that input from different stakeholders.”
Emory Rollins School of Public Health researchers are currently working with local school districts to study what works, and best practices in future cellphone policy.
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