Redmond School District plans community forum Thursday evening to discuss social media’s effects on kids, teens

(Update: Adding video, comments from Redmond School District)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Redmond School District is holding a community meeting later this week to focus on the impacts social media has on students, both at school and at home.

The district has more than 7,000 students at 13 schools, with four being middle and high schools.

Over the past month, the district has been working with students to evaluate how social media impacts their mental health. In addition, the district has conducted surveys of students to see if social media is affecting things like their mental health, mood swings, eating and sleeping patterns and overall well-being.

"One of the questions is how do you rate other people's kindness? And it's been a low score amongst students that other people are kind" district Public Information Officer Holly Brown said Monday.

Another survey question asked, "What would you say to younger students about social media use?"

"And it was a resounding, 'Don't do it -- just wait.'" Brown said.

The school district asked students several questions related to social media, such as: "How many hours a day do you spend on social media? What do you wish parents knew about social media use? How can adults help you manage your social media use? Do you think it affects your mental health?"

According to the district, survey results show middle school students feel the impact more than high school students, because high schoolers can have jobs, drive and play sports, allowing less time for social media.

"We're not just comparing ourselves to the other people in our area," Brown explained of the kids who were surveyed, "We're comparing ourselves to the entire world. We have access to everybody and incredibly unrealistic standards. And they know they are unrealistic standards, but that doesn't change the fact that they're being exposed to it."

The community meeting comes after last week's announcement that the state of Oregon, along with 33 other states, is suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, alleging their efforts to addict young people have proven to be detrimental to their mental health. 

"I think what we're hoping to do is work as a community to help students navigate social media use when they first encounter it. And how they can do it more safely," Brown said.

The community forum will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Redmond High School commons area.