FAIRMONT – With the rise in cell phone usage and screen presence in children’s lives, area professionals are using research to educate parents.

Family nurse practitioner Emily Fett and school psychologist Laura Odgren will hold a book discussion starting in March. Using “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Handt, they will lead discussions on parts one and two, three and four, respectively, on March 4, April 1 and May 6.

Odgren said she first heard about the book from some podcasts she frequently listened to, and Fett said it was recommended to her by a co-worker.

“I have a 13-year-old who we are raising to follow the same recommendations noted in the book,” she said. “It was a significant interest for me to learn the importance of why we’re doing what we’re doing with our daughter.”

Youth safety and health are at the forefront of Odgren and Fett’s careers. From the psychologist side, Odgren said she has seen students isolating themselves with video games and social media.

“When I talk with students about what they do in their free time, it’s very rare a student has an active social life with friends outside of school,” she said. “That got me curious hearing that over and over, that they don’t spend time with friends and are alone engaging in these [screens].”

The same concerns have shown up in Fett’s line of work. She said it can have physical consequences as well.

“Many of our youth are appearing very disconnected from each other, as well as disconnection to society and activities they can participate in to make them healthier,” Fett said. “Sedentary lifestyle, and what that can lead to, which certainly concerns with emotional as well as physical health concerns.”

With the book study, Fett and Odgren said their goal is not to shame or criticize anyone for what they currently do or don’t do. Their main aim is to bring the information from “The Anxious Generation” to as many parents as possible to bring hope.

“Our desire is not to make people feel bad or have regrets,” Fett said. “Our approach is to empower people to think about the changes they can make in the here and now.”

Moving forward, Odgren said they have a few ideas to spring from this book series.

“One of them is creating a group of parents that feel the same way and are going to delay getting a smartphone for their child until a certain age,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot greater social cost if we don’t have a group. If we have a group, I can say, ‘Your other two friends are not getting a phone right now.’ It will be much easier.”

On sustained outreach, Fett said they want to continue to connect with as many people as possible.

“Teachers, coaches, people within our community that are connected and leading organizations interested in creating positive change for our community and youth,” she said. “It would be exciting to work with coaches and teachers specifically, who can help enforce the recommendations I think would lead to more positive interactions between teams.”

Books are not provided for the class, but are available from the library and have been set aside for those who use this class. For more information, visit https://www.fairmont.k12.mn.us/o/cer.

While this occurs, Fairmont Elementary will have free showings of “Screenagers” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 1, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on April 2 and from 6 to 7:30 on April 7. Volunteers will be available April 7 to watch the kids.

Fairmont Elementary Co-Principal Michelle Rosen said the film uses “The Anxious Generation” as a springboard to discuss the current tech situation.

“It deals with how technology has played a role in children’s lives, good, bad and different,” she said. “How being on it too much is showing effects for children and growing up.”

In her experience, Rosen said she has seen student attention span decrease with the rise of screens and social media.

“We know when they get older, social media can play a big part in the development of their self-image,” she said. “What things are right and wrong. Everything is quickly attached when it comes to social media, instead of where you work to build those relationships, one on one, have personal connections.”

Even in elementary school, Rosen has seen a rise in personal devices. She said the hope with these screenings is to raise awareness for what technology can do to students.

“It used to be very younger kids would still go out and play,” Rosen said. “Now you see them, ‘Oh, I’ll stay inside and use my device.’ Instead of going out and exploring. Be aware of the time they’re on. Time can slip away very fast for parents and kids when you’re on technology and 10 minutes ends up an hour.”