Joint Resolution Regarding School Activities and Practices

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Joint Resolution Regarding School Activities and Practices
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Doug Welton
Senate Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution encourages Utah public schools to support student well-being through
increased physical activity and balanced use of technology.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
encourages more time for physical activity and play;
recommends thoughtful limits on screen use in schools; and
supports efforts to improve student mental health.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, over the past decade, rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among
children and adolescents have risen sharply;
WHEREAS, research links the deterioration in mental health among youth to the decline of
free play, face-to-face interaction, and outdoor activity;
WHEREAS, children today spend significantly more time using screens, including both
personal and school issued devices, than any previous generation;
WHEREAS, physical activity, unstructured outdoor play, and real-world social interaction
build resilience, confidence, and mental health in children;
WHEREAS, the expansion of digital learning tools has produced both benefits and
unintended harms, including distraction, overreliance on virtual instruction, and decreased
engagement;
WHEREAS, constant screen exposure in school settings can displace essential childhood
experiences such as tactile learning, group collaboration, and time spent in nature; and
WHEREAS, schools serve a vital role in shaping childhood culture and development:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
encourages public schools to increase the amount of time dedicated to physical education,
outdoor recess, and unstructured free play, recognizing their essential role in healthy childhood
development.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recommends schools reduce excessive
reliance on screens and digital platforms during the school day, particularly for younger
students, and restore balanced use of textbooks, printed materials, and hands-on learning.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges school leaders, parents, and
policymakers to work together to promote environments rooted in movement and real-world
connection and monitor the impact of school practices on student mental health.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be prepared and submitted to
the State Board of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Utah Parent
Teacher Association, and each local education agency in the state.
1-5-26 1:16 PM