The following is a press release written by Arthur Menchaca, a member of the Alpha Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Ivy Tech Bloomington. The project is student-led and is not an official Ivy Tech Community College resource.
Members of the Alpha Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Ivy Tech Bloomington have created Connect Phone-Free, a free online toolkit with resources for students, families and educators.
The project grew out of the chapter’s 2026 Honors in Action research on adolescent social media use, identity development, peer relationships and phone-free school environments. The chapter explored a question beyond whether young people should put their phones away: What can help them connect with one another when a phone is not at the center of an interaction?
The research included a review of peer-reviewed academic literature, analysis of adolescent behavioral health data, and examination of student-device policies in Indiana and other states. Chapter members also conducted structured interviews with Indiana educators and administrators about their experiences preparing for or implementing phone restrictions.
The project examined how digital environments relate to identity formation, social interaction and adolescent well-being. The chapter also recognized that population-level data alone cannot establish that social media causes behavioral health outcomes for any individual.
The research informed Connect Phone-Free, which turns the chapter’s inquiry into practical resources. The website offers separate toolkits for educators, families and students, with activities and resources intended to prompt reflection on digital habits, online identity, communication and in-person peer interaction. Materials are available to use online or download for home and classroom settings.
Connect Phone-Free focuses on conversation, connection and reflection, and on developing healthier relationships with technology. It is intended as a community resource for people navigating questions about phones, social media and face-to-face interaction—not as guidance on school policy.
The project was developed as the Alpha Rho Sigma Chapter’s Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action project. Honors in Action invites community college honor society members to investigate real-world issues through academic research and apply what they learn through community action.
The chapter hopes Connect Phone-Free will support the Bloomington community and offer a valuable resource to people throughout Monroe County, across Indiana and beyond who are exploring digital habits and in-person connection.
Connect Phone-Free is available free at:
https://connectphonefree.org
About Alpha Rho Sigma
Alpha Rho Sigma is the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington. Phi Theta Kappa recognizes academic achievement among community college students and provides opportunities for scholarship, leadership, service and academic inquiry.
Connect Phone-Free is a student-led chapter project. It is not an Ivy Tech Community College service or official college resource.
