Rethinking Mental Health: How Hoover High School is Limiting Technology to Boost Student Well-Being

Des Moines, Iowa’s Hoover High School is taking a new approach to addressing students’ mental health needs by implementing a ban on phones in the classroom. Starting next school year, students will be required to leave their phones at home or in their lockers and the use of headphones will also be prohibited. This decision was made in response to a noticeable increase in anxiety and depression among students.

Many students have expressed support for the ban, citing the negative impact that excessive phone use can have on their mental well-being. Student Caden Walker believes that his phone use contributed to his own struggles with mental health by providing distractions. A study found that Generation Z phone users spend an average of 7 hours per day on their devices, highlighting the need to reduce technology consumption in school.

Assistant principal Rob Randazzo emphasized the importance of re-imagining the school environment without phones in order to better support students’ mental health. The school is also encouraging parents to limit their children’s social media use, especially for those under the age of 16. By creating a more phone-free environment, Hoover High School hopes to foster a healthier and more focused learning environment for its students.