Device Use and Your Health

Dear Pal-Mac,

As your school district physician, I am writing to share an important message about our renewed commitment to creating a distraction-free learning environment. This year, students will be learning in classrooms without the use of personal phones or devices during the school day.

Why does this matter for student health? As a pediatrician, evidence and firsthand experience show how constant access to phones and social media can impact children’s well-being. Research shows that excessive screen time is linked to increased stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and difficulty focusing. When students put their devices away during the school day, they gain opportunities for face-to-face social interaction, deeper engagement in learning, and improved emotional regulation.

A school day free from phone use helps protect students from the pressures of constant notifications and online comparisons. It allows them to be fully present with their peers and teachers, fostering stronger connections and a healthier school experience overall. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a wealth of evidenced-based resources. Consider referring to them to support your family.

The New York State Law indicates there are some medical exceptions to the law preventing the use of electronic devices in schools. Please know that the medical conditions that may make requiring a cell phone or other electronic device for children in schools are very rare. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions do not require a student to be in possession of an electronic device during the school day. Children and teens are better positioned to learn other coping skills when they do not have access to a cell phone at school and are receiving appropriate medical care. As the District's medical provider, I support Pal-Mac's distraction-free learning environment and will approve medical exceptions in very limited circumstances, often only after working directly with a child's healthcare provider to establish medical necessity and as described in the District’s policy.

Pal-Mac's action to limit distractions will support mental, emotional, and academic growth. Thank you for partnering with us in making school a safe, focused, and healthy place for all students.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Warmly,

Cynthia DiLaura Devore, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Medical Director and Pediatrician

Palmyra-Macedon Central School District