Leveraging Belonging Data to Support Phone-Free Schools

Ongoing research has highlighted the growing concern around the negative impact of cellphones in schools. From distractions in the classroom to the erosion of meaningful social interactions, the evidence is clear: our students are struggling with more than just their studies.

At International School of Panama, our recent Belonging Survey data reveals a troubling trend—students are feeling increasingly disconnected from their peers and learning environments. This is a wake-up call for all of us.

I invite you to read this instructive article in The International Educator (TIE) written by my colleague, Francesca Mulazzi, Ed.D., where she dives deep into this pressing issue and explores actionable steps to foster communities of dignity and respect.