SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – At least two school districts in South Dakota, Gettysburg and Edgemont, are saying no to smartphones in classrooms. Now the mayor of the state’s largest city, himself a father to teenagers, is weighing in on the topic.
“I would love to see other districts make this decision,” Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said. “And I have yet to see a school district, a classroom, a teacher that has said, ‘Since kids have gotten phones, it’s really helped their engagement in school. They learn better. They pay more attention.’ I have yet to see that. Maybe that data is out there, Dan. I don’t see it.”
With kids aged 18, 15 and 11, TenHaken has seen how developing minds learn in the digital age where a mini computer can easily fit in your pocket. As far as he’s concerned, a smartphone-free classroom is smart policy.
“One less distraction and one less drain on your mental health in a school and a classroom setting I think is a home run policy,” TenHaken said.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, weighed in on the topic in a 2023 CBS News report.
“I do think that we should have restrictions on phones in this school setting,” Murthy said.
In South Dakota, the conversation presses on in 2024.
“I kind of applaud Gettysburg, ’cause this is a bold policy,” TenHaken said. “And now you’re seeing a lot of other people sit up and take notice and say, ‘hmm. they’re doing it, now that maybe gives us permission to do something we’ve been talking about, too.'”
