Letters question phone ban’s intent, bash Biden over trans stance, want workers bill of rights

Don’t let the rest of us off the hook by banning phones

The recent article on the phone ban at North Thurston Public Schools explains how the ban (and similar bans at other local schools) is justified by citing Jonathan Haidt’s book on social media’s impact on mental health.

But the ban isn’t really about mental health — it’s about classroom management. That’s fine, but let’s not misuse Haidt’s work to bolster this argument. In the workplace, we don’t justify asking employees to stay off their phones in meetings as a mental health issue — it’s about staying on task. Schools should be just as clear.

Haidt’s book itself is problematic. Candice Odgers’ review in Nature highlights that his claims about social media rewiring children’s brains lack scientific backing. Mental health challenges in youth stem from complex causes, including systemic issues like violence, economic hardship and social isolation. Blaming social media oversimplifies a nuanced problem.

What’s more troubling is the hypocrisy of institutions that decry social media’s harm on kids while using the same platforms to communicate with their communities. Schools and local governments lean heavily on algorithm-driven networks such as Facebook, which amplify divisive rhetoric and undermine the economics of local journalism, key to understanding our communities.

This isn’t just a problem for kids. Adults, governments, and leaders should also scrutinize their social media use. By letting algorithms dictate our discourse, we’ve eroded our ability to find solutions. Let’s not pass the buck to students while ignoring the broader societal toll of these platforms.

Emmett O’Connell, Olympia

Students want to remain in Olympia

My name is Shem and I support the Workers Bill of Rights because I want to be a permanent resident of Olympia and call it home after I graduate and enter the workforce.

As a college student, I have to make my decision on where I settle down post-graduation based on where I know I can make a living wage, be given sufficient and stable hours, and be able to keep my health, all of which this bill would directly or indirectly provide. This is also the situation that so many of my fellow students are in. We, and people like us, want to be the future workforce of Olympia.

I ask that the City Council consider their future constituents and leave their work retreat with a plan to pass the Workers Bill of Rights.

Shem O’Neal, Olympia

An open letter to President Biden

President Biden,

In 2022 you promised trans people “The President has your back.” Throughout your presidency it appeared that you would make good on your word, at least within the limitations of Congress. However, on Dec. 22, you transitioned from extending the work of President Johnson, to instead signing into law policies that belong in the mouth of President Buchanan.

It seems the Democrats’ position is the same as with virtually every other minority issue. Democrats avow themselves protectors of minorities until the first moment they’re challenged by the right wing. At that point the majority of the Democratic Party will, instead of defending policies and minorities, appease critics.

We know that more than 40% of untreated trans youth will attempt suicide. We know that states that passed anti-trans legislation have seen increases in suicidality of, in some cases, more than 70%. And yet, two years after promising you had our back, your act will increase suicide and self-harm among trans kids and adults. Your legacy will be rolling out the red carpet to a fascist who will attempt to legislate us out of public life, and whose policy platforms are encouraging our deaths. These are policies where cruelty and divisiveness are the point. You enacted the first deliberately discriminatory federal anti-queer legislation in this country in 30 years.

124 Democratic representatives stood up against these attacks as well as 10 in the Senate, but you lacked the strength and willingness to defend us. That will be your legacy.

Katherine Walton-Elliott, Olympia