The Phone Free Schools Movement and Why It Matters

"Put your phone down," a common refrain among parents, has never been more urgent than in 2026. As a society, Americans embraced technology rapidly, with smartphone ownership surpassing 50% by 2013. Since then, we have enabled our young people—all the way down to elementary school—to spend far too much time on their phones.

This consumer and cultural phenomenon got out of control for our youth too quickly, and it has undoubtedly affected their health. As a pediatrician, I see this every day. Counseling anxious children and teens, kids who are under-rested and socially isolated, led me to take a stand and actively support the Phone Free Schools movement in Vermont.

Creating physical barriers, rich communities (think activities, places to congregate, time in nature, schools), and empowering parents alleviates this problem and its effects on children and adolescents. As parents, we must model healthy screen behavior ourselves. 

I have been working on these concepts for over a decade and I won't stop helping educate my patients and impact policy to keep our kids healthy.

As a pediatrician and candidate for Vermont State Senate, Chittenden County Southeast, protecting the health and wellbeing of Vermont's children is at the heart of why I'm running. From phone-free schools to mental-health support to substance-use prevention, I'll bring evidence-based, community-centered leadership to Montpelier.

References:

• https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2026/05/19/nearly-half-teens-are-losing-critical-sleep-phone-use-after-midnight/

• https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2026/05/20/surgeon-general-screentime-warning-limits/90181203007/