Our Why
Participa en la vida real
LaunchNW, Spokane Public Schools (SPS), and contributing partners launched in fall of 2024 Engage In Real Life (EngageIRL), a city-wide initiative aimed at providing more opportunities for students and families to get involved in a community club, sport or activity. Out-of-school programs promote safety, well-being, health, academic achievement, and most importantly, get students off devices and into real life activities.
Behind the Initiative
In response to the growing social and emotional issues brought on by rampant social media and mobile phone use, Spokane Public Schools issued a survey to all parents, all secondary students, and community members in the spring of 2024 seeking input on potential changes to the district’s cell phone policy and procedure. More than 700 survey responses helped guide the district to a new cellphone policy and the creation of the EngageIRL initative.
Cell phone use by adolescents is widely known to contribute to mental health issues, and they are a disruption to the learning environment. In June of 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media. He also published an advisory on social media and youth mental health.
The research is very clear on the effects social media and smartphones have on students:
The Benefits of Cell Phone-Free Schools
Several SPS middle schools went cell phone-free during the 2023-24 school year and saw immediate improvements in overall school culture. Students talked to each other more outside of the classroom, and there were fewer disruptions in the classroom. Schools also took strides to provide students alternative activities to phones during non-classroom time before and after school and during lunch.
Recursos
Want to learn more? Check out these links:
Screenagers
This award-winning film series explores the struggles caused by social media, smartphones, video games and more.
Let Grow
This initiative posits that giving kids independence helps them grow into capable and happy adults.
Watch Superintendent Adam Swinyard talk cell phones on NewsNation:
"We’ve never faced an adversary like technology in getting the attention of kids, and so we need exciting alternatives to say, ‘instead of spending five, six, seven hours on your phone, how about maybe one or two hours?' Let’s teach families about the supervisory tools, let’s have common sense boundaries inside of our classrooms, and then let’s provide as many activities and athletics outside of the school day so that every kid, every day is doing something in real life, off their screen, out of their home, with each other. Research is clear – that’s what’s best for kids.”
In the News
See how EngageIRL is making headlines. Browse recent media coverage, feature stories, and news updates highlighting the initiative’s work:
- “‘A more authentic childhood’: Spokane Public Schools’ after-school initiative shows correlation between involvement and grades” by Megan Howard, The Spokesman-Review
- “LaunchNW pushes for proper use of Meta funds” by Karina Elias, Spokane Journal of Business
- “Spokane schools’ Engage IRL program boosts student performance and cuts screen time” by Daniel Pursell, KXLY
- “One District’s Battle to Curb Cellphones and Get Kids to Engage in Real Life” by Alyson Klein, Education Week
- “‘Great Lifelong Habits’: How This District Is Keeping Young Kids Off Screens” by Alyson Klein, Education Week
- Video: “How This District Is Shrinking Students’ Screen Time—After the School Day Ends” by Kaylee Domzalski & Alyson Klein, Education Week
Page Source: Spokane Public Schools Cell Phone Policy and Procedure.