Introduction to Cellphone Restrictions in Schools
As the new school year begins, students in 17 states and the District of Columbia are facing new cellphone restrictions. Jamel Bishop, a senior at Doss High School in Louisville, Kentucky, has noticed a significant change in his classrooms. The ban on cellphones during instructional time has allowed teachers to provide more one-on-one time for students who need it. In previous years, students would often repeat questions because they weren’t paying attention, wasting class time.
The Growing Trend of Cellphone Restrictions
Kentucky is one of the 17 states starting this school year with new restrictions, bringing the total to 35 states with laws or rules limiting phones and other electronic devices in school. This change has come remarkably quickly, with Florida becoming the first state to pass such a law in 2023. Both Democrats and Republicans have taken up the cause, reflecting a growing consensus that phones are bad for kids’ mental health and take their focus away from learning.
Variations in Cellphone Restrictions
Phones are banned throughout the school day in 18 of the states and the District of Columbia, although Georgia and Florida impose such "bell-to-bell" bans only from kindergarten through eighth grade. Another seven states ban them during class time, but not between classes or during lunch. Still, others mandate only a cellphone policy, believing districts will take the hint and sharply restrict phone access.
Students See Pros and Cons
For students, the rules add new school-day rituals, like putting phones in magnetic pouches or special lockers. Audreanna Johnson, a junior at McNair High School in suburban Atlanta, said that most students did not want to turn in their phones at first because they used them to gossip and text friends in other classes. However, that resentment is starting to ease down, and more students are willing to give up their phones and not get distracted. But there are drawbacks, like not being able to listen to music when working independently in class.
Some Parents Want Constant Contact
In a survey of 125 Georgia school districts by Emory University researchers, parental resistance was cited as the top obstacle to regulating student use of social and digital media. Johnson’s mother, Audrena Johnson, said she worries most about knowing her children are safe from violence at school. School messages about threats can be delayed and incomplete, she said, like when someone who wasn’t a McNair student got into a fight on school property, which she learned about when her daughter texted her during the school day.
Research Remains in an Early Stage
Some researchers say it’s not yet clear what types of social media may cause harm, and whether restrictions have benefits. Julie Gazmararian, a professor of public health at Emory University, does surveys and focus groups to research the effects of a phone ban in middle school grades in the Marietta school district near Atlanta. Teachers "love the policy," she said, because they could focus more on teaching, and there were fewer disruptions. Another benefit is more positive interactions among students.
A Few States Reject Rules
Some state legislatures are bucking the momentum. Wyoming’s Senate in January rejected requiring districts to create some kind of a cellphone policy after opponents argued that teachers and parents need to be responsible. And in the Michigan House in July, a Republican-sponsored bill directing schools to ban phones bell-to-bell in grades K-8 and during high school instruction time was defeated after Democrats insisted on upholding local control.
Conclusion
The new cellphone restrictions in schools aim to improve students’ mental health and focus on learning. While some students and parents see the benefits of the restrictions, others are concerned about the potential drawbacks. As research continues to evolve, it’s essential to find a balance between restricting phone use and allowing students to stay connected with their parents and friends.
FAQs
Q: How many states have implemented cellphone restrictions in schools?
A: 35 states have laws or rules limiting phones and other electronic devices in school.
Q: What are the benefits of cellphone restrictions in schools?
A: The benefits include improved focus on learning, reduced distractions, and more positive interactions among students.
Q: What are the drawbacks of cellphone restrictions in schools?
A: The drawbacks include not being able to listen to music during independent work, potential delays in receiving important messages from parents, and limitations on staying connected with friends.
Q: What do researchers say about the impact of social media on students’ mental health?
A: Researchers say that social media use clearly correlates with poor mental health, but it’s not yet clear what types of social media use are causing harm.
