Missouri Military Academy (MMA) in Mexico will be conducting a survey this month of current parents to ask for their input on proposed changes to the school’s cell phone policy which would further limit cadets’ access to and use of cell phones.

According to a press release from the MMA sent out this week, an increasing amount of research reveals the negative effects of social media use upon teens.

MMA says that research plus growing concern by Academy faculty, company leadership advisors, other staff, and coaches and requests from parents, have prompted them to re-evaluate cade cell phone use on campus and consider a more restrictive policy.

MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci says this has become a serious discussion at the national level. “The negative effects of social media use through cell phones is one of our top areas of concern for our cadets’ physical and mental health. We believe our partnership with parents and our vigilance concerning cadets’ healthy digital habits are more important than ever for their safety and welfare.”

MMA reports that psychology experts are warning that social media use may lead to negative mental health, addiction, promotion of high-risk behavior, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, desensitization to violence, and sextortion. It is also being cautioned that social media may become the preferred activity over healthy recreational activities, in-person social interaction, and sports.

Currently, MMA’s policy permits cadets to bring one phone and one smartwatch to campus, a privilege for cadets in good standing. Cadets are required to check in their phones with their advisor on Sundays, and they can only check them out on Fridays for use during the weekend. Seniors and high-achieving cadets may be allowed to keep their phones, but only if they meet certain academic and department requirements. Phones are not allowed in the academic building, at off-campus academic classes, athletic practices, home athletic games, Sunday services, or any corps activities or events designated by the commandant.

The policy also outlines specific unauthorized activities, such as cyberbullying, taking inappropriate pictures or videos, using a cell phone to break any Academy rules, or violating the Honor Code. If cadets break any of these rules, they may lose their phone privileges or face disciplinary action. MMA blocks access to social media in the academic building to help cadets focus on their school work. The Academy also monitors cadets’ computers (their real-time activity) through Lanschool to keep them accountable and on task in the academic building and the barracks.

Another school that made changes to their cell phone policy was Moberly High School. The Moberly Board of Education officially passed changes for the 2022-2023 handbook that banned students from carrying cell phones and smart watches at Moberly High School.
The principal at the Moberly High School Deb Haag tells the Mexico Ledger that she has seen success at the school with the new policy.

“Certain parents and students had great trepidation with the new policy, however results were better student engagement in classrooms, reduction in bullying reports and incidents and students being to verbalize how real addiction to technology is.”

A spokesperson for the Missouri Military Academy says they plan on sharing the results of their parent survey sometime in the near future.