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Colleges Encourage Students to Limit Phone Use and Socialize In Person
Universities including New York University have launched initiatives to reduce students' screen time and promote face-to-face interactions. Programs range from phone-free events and dinners to dedicated spaces for analog activities. The efforts respond to reports of social isolation among students who grew up with smartphones and experienced the coronavirus pandemic.
May 6, 12:41 PM·2m read1 source
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College and university officials across the country are taking steps to address students' heavy reliance on cellphones and encourage more in-person socializing. Students who report difficulty making friends have begun participating in events that require them to put away their devices, according to a report.
New York University established NYU IRL, short for "in real life," to foster a culture shift toward spending more time offline. More than 200 students and some staff recently attended an "Around the Longest Table" dinner that extended nearly the length of a city block, providing an opportunity to converse with strangers.
A junior at the university said the current college experience differs markedly from two decades ago. "If you’re someone who went to college 20 years ago, I don’t think you understand how different the experience is now, how much harder it is to interact with people," the student told The Washington Post.
" The NYU IRL program operates at the university's campuses in New York, Shanghai and Abu Dhabi. Officials plan to incorporate guidance on using devices more sparingly into student orientations. Students have responded positively to the initiatives, attending phone-free parties and other events.
One senior said the strongest connections formed through direct interaction. "The best connections I’ve made with people have been face-to-face," the senior told The Washington Post, recalling that she met her best friend when the WiFi failed during her freshman year.
The university created a space called the Nest where students can dock their phones in a charging tower and engage in activities such as crafts or reading. At the longest-table dinner, attendees used their phones only to exchange contact information and make plans with new acquaintances.
