Students participate in “Phone-Free February”

MAPLEWOOD, MN – You’ve heard of Dry January. How about Phone-Free February?

Students at one Minnesota high school are being challenged to turn their gaze away from their phone screens and turn toward the people around them.

Experts say excessive screen time can have short and long-term effects from impairing cognitive focus, abilities and memory to affecting emotional well-being, and particularly in young people.

Phone-Free February is one of the latest challenges aimed at reducing or eliminating your smartphone use.