Approved Minutes of September 25, 2024

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH September 25, 2024 • Sleep deprivation has increased dramatically since the introduction of smartphones. Dr. Jonnal shared that phone-related sleep deprivation may be a bidirectional process or even a positive feedback loop: that is, being sleep-deprived may increase the desire to soothe with a screen, which keeps a person awake, thus increasing sleep deprivation. • Increased risk of obesity is one of the most well-documented hazards associated with screen use, with ample data suggesting even one hour of screen time per day increases the odds ratio of being overweight or obese. • Dr. Jonnal also shared that there is evidence that screen use may change the structure of the brain, for example by reducing white matter. She mentioned "digital dementia," a condition where heavy screen use at any age reduces attention span and memory over time. There is concern that heavy screen use may actually contribute to the development of dementia later in life, which would be a public health disaster. • Evidence suggests that screen time can impact mental health, increase depression and anxiety, and worsen language acquisition and development of social skills. There is also evidence that looking at screens raises blood pressure, while looking at trees can lower it. • Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) suggest that reduction of leisure time screen use over a period of two or more weeks can improve youth mental health. However, interventions to reduce screen use are generally not very effective, as screens are particularly addictive. • Dr. Jonnal mentioned that she had children later in life, and that her friends with children universally warned her away from giving her kids screens, saying that once screens are introduced, the kids inevitably want more of them and it becomes a constant struggle. • Potential public health actions Orange County can take on screens include resuming collection of YRBS data in schools, banning cell phones in schools, and joining the class-action suit against Meta. Ms. Stewart commented that, while there is potential legislation coming from state senators related to a school cell phone ban, policies for Orange County are being led by the school boards. Commissioner Fowler expressed a desire to collaborate with schools, host community conversations related to phone and social media use, and rally up community support for implementing school cell phone policies. • Dr. Jonnal said that no one should be shamed for using screens and that it should be a gentle conversation. She shared that when she tells parents in the ER that screens are bad for their kids, most are receptive but struggle with setting boundaries. She mentioned that culturally, the US is built to encourage using screens as babysitters, as households are typically only nuclear families with one to two parents, while many other countries have multiple generations and six+ potential caregivers living under one roof. • Dr. Royce commented that using screens and cell phones can offer a prosocial effect, allowing kids to connect to each other and that when kids are not allowed a phone, they may feel like they are missing out. She noted that it's also important to also take stock of what screens are crowding out, for example many young people don't know how to fix a bike or cook a meal. Mr. Whitaker echoed this, observing that kids today don't retain as much information mentally since they always have the option to look things up. • Dr. Jonnal mentioned that she's campaigning for a return to landline phones; Dr. Rodgers said that she still has a landline, but it's very difficult to find a replacement wall phone when your current one breaks. • Mr. Bagby mentioned that there are many screen-free activities to help kids build social connections, noting Boy Scouts and organized sports as two activities he participated in during his own youth. He also shared that when he was raising his own kids, they had a S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2024 Agenda and Abstracts/ September Page 4