City rec chief says initiative to reduce kids' social media exposure long overdue

Lauren Krans ... Rochester Rec and Arena director (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester's Recreation and Arena director told The Rochester Voice last week she welcomes New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu's executive order directing a statewide response to the dangers of social media platforms among the state's youth.
"I look forward to seeING the results of the governor's efforts. There is supposed to be a website in a couple of months with resources for communities," said Rec and Arena Director Lauren Krans. "We see this as a challenge and want to make community connections, but it's hard with screens in the way."
The state began to investigate the numerous harms to children posed by social media platforms in November 2021, and the Executive Order is based upon the ongoing investigation.
Sununu said the tackling of social media dystopia is long overdue.
"I have met extensively with the Attorney General and we are actively pursuing an investigation into the harmful effect that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can have on children's mental health," Sununu said. "New Hampshire's children are the future of our state and our nation, and we are making every effort to ensure necessary changes are made to prevent harm by these platforms. New Hampshire will look at all necessary options to protect our children - including spending more time off screens and outdoors."

"Extensive social media use has been tied to profound risks of harm in youth. Indeed, there has been an increased focus on the correlation between the development of serious mental health disorders by minors and time spent on social media. My office is actively considering how it can best protect New Hampshire's youth from the harm these platforms cause and promote," said Attorney General John Formella. "Eliminating the harmful effects of social media on New Hampshire's youth and holding social media platforms accountable for their actions is a top priority for me."
Under the Executive Order, the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services are called upon to work collaboratively to create guidelines for a curriculum to be submitted to the State Board of Education to be included in all K-12 health education courses in the state that explains the potential negative impacts of use of social media platforms by children. These guidelines shall be submitted to the Governor within 90 days of the Executive Order having been signed.
As part of the initiative, state agencies will also promote a new GoPlayNH Initiative, encouraging kids and families to spend more time off their screens and outdoors. The initiative will highlight the various recreation opportunities available across the Granite State.
"Teaching our children how to engage with society in a healthy, fulfilling way is a core component to providing a holistic education that prepares the next generation for success in every way," said Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut. "I am thankful that Governor Sununu is taking action to address the societal impact of social media and look forward to hearing directly from parents and students so that we may work side by side to support the needs of the community."
Additional information on resources and tools for parents, teachers, school administrators, and children to share their concerns and experiences will be released in the coming weeks.
Krans said she is very much looking forward to embracing the governor's initiative.
"I'm hoping this will be an education opportunity for our team and result in some great resources for us to take advantage of," she added.