Beyond the Ban: How Schools Can Help Students Build Healthier Relationships with Technology

Recently, many school districts, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, have implemented cell phone bans to curb distractions and boost academic performance. While these bans aim to create a more focused learning environment and reduce classroom disruptions, they’re not designed to fully address the underlying issues of how students interact with technology—issues like emotional well-being, social connections, and online behavior.

The role of technology in students’ lives

Smartphones have become vital tools for communication, learning, and socializing—especially for teenagers—but their use must be intentional and guided. Regardless of whether cell phones are restricted in your district, a continued priority for educators is teaching students to use their devices responsibly. It’s not about simply limiting technology but about equipping students with the skills and mindset to navigate the digital world in a healthy, productive way, both in school and in their everyday lives.

Cell phone bans: Are they enough?

Cell phone bans may assist in curbing classroom disruptions and behavioral issues, but the larger issue of how students interact with technology outside of school must also be addressed. One study found that recreational screen time of more than two hours per day was linked to lower levels of life satisfaction and increased levels of anxiety and depression symptoms in students. In contrast, that same study found that students who engaged in extracurricular activities and limited screen time had better mental health and well-being outcomes.

This further underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach that balances the use of technology with emotional development and awareness. Programs designed to promote mindfulness, self-regulation, and critical thinking can help students manage their screen time more responsibly.

Promoting human skills for digital well-being

Human skills—such as self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making—are essential for fostering a healthy relationship with technology. These essential skills help students build resilience, manage digital stress, and develop positive online behaviors. While technology can sometimes impede students’ emotional development, it can also support these competencies when used intentionally.

Self-awareness

Encouraging students to reflect on how their digital habits impact their mental well-being is key. Tools like digital diaries or journaling apps allow students to track their screen time and identify patterns that affect their mood, productivity, and emotional state. For example, they might notice a correlation between late-night social media use and feeling tired or irritable the next day.

Empathy

In the digital world, practicing empathy is vital for reducing cyberbullying and fostering respectful interactions online. Encouraging students to reflect on the impact of their actions on others can help create a more positive and supportive online community. By pausing to consider how a seemingly harmless comment might affect someone’s feelings, students can foster more constructive and supportive online interactions.

Critical thinking

With an overwhelming amount of misinformation online, students need critical thinking skills to evaluate the credibility of sources. Media literacy programs can teach students to analyze the reasoning or claims of online content, empowering them to navigate the digital landscape with discernment and caution. For example, students can learn to consider an author’s credentials, a website’s purpose, and the date of publication before accepting information as fact.

Integrating mindfulness and human skills in technology use

Mindfulness practices can also be valuable tools in helping students manage their digital engagement. Mindful tech use encourages students to be intentional with their screen time, promoting awareness of their habits and emotional states. Educators can integrate mindfulness prompts and reflection exercises into the learning experience to encourage self-awareness and responsible digital behavior.

Programs like Second Step® programs focus specifically on strengthening human skills, helping students build the skills necessary for responsible technology use. By fostering self-regulation, stress management, and positive communication, Second Step lessons teach students how to navigate both in-person and online interactions with confidence and emotional intelligence.

Technology’s role in fostering human skills

Technology can also be a powerful ally in developing human skills. Apps such as Flip and Kahoot engage students in reflection, collaboration, and self-assessment and provide opportunities for emotional growth. Through interactive quizzes and collaborative projects, these digital platforms encourage positive behaviors like self-reflection, empathy, and teamwork while also helping students practice responsible decision-making in a virtual context.

Tools like these provide interactive learning experiences that promote self-regulation and goal-setting, and they can be used to track progress, set digital boundaries, and build the social skills needed to navigate the challenges of the digital age.

The need for a balanced approach

While cell phone bans can be effective, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Educators and families must work together to promote balanced, responsible tech use in students’ lives.

This is where human skills programs, such as Second Step programs, come in to help students build the emotional competencies to thrive in both digital and offline environments. By combining human skills instruction with thoughtful digital policies, schools can create environments where students learn to use technology as a tool for growth rather than a source of distraction or distress.

Supporting students in managing technology responsibly

Let’s face it: cell phones are an integral part of modern life. A comprehensive approach to digital well-being that integrates human skills instruction and digital fluency can help students manage their screen time, enhance their emotional well-being, and develop the critical life skills to navigate the complexities of the digital world. By fostering mindfulness and promoting human skills, educators can help students build healthier, more responsible relationships with technology, ensuring they’re well-prepared for success in an increasingly connected future.

Ready to help students navigate the digital world?

Explore how Second Step programs can help K–12 students develop the emotional intelligence needed for a healthier, happier digital life. And check out our webinar on digital well-being for more practical insights and research-based strategies.