Truth in Medicine poll looks at cellphone use and social media usage by kids

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A Mount Sinai South Nassau Truth in Medicine poll found that 77% of parents want their kids to have cellphones at school in the case of an emergency, yet 72% still said they support a ban on the use of cellphones in school during the school day. A total of 600 parents from Long Island and New York City were polled. While the study found that - according to parents - children average 3.41 hours on social media apps on their phone daily, doctors estimate the true number is much greater. They say that is a problem; some say it is an epidemic. Experts warned that cellphones are addictive, and doctors recommend that parents discuss screen time with their child's pediatrician. Doctors and school officials discussed the findings at a panel. The experts warned of the dangers of social media and its impact on mental health, children’s attention spans and social skills. "