Students are not allowed to be on their phones during school hours at many public schoolsschool, and there are multiple beliefs that this will help social interaction, mental health, and make students more productive in class.
Banning phones could make things a lot easier for schools, as it would help bring more focus into classrooms. Students would not be focused on wanting to text people, and teachers wouldn’t have to worry about yelling at students multiple times during a class period. Also, it would help substitute teachers. Most students would ignore the fact they have work when the actual teacher is absent. This causes frustration and more problems than what there should be. Banning phones would give students more educational experience in school.
Banning phones should be allowed, but at certain limitations. For example, classrooms having a “phone jail” where students place their phones during the class period can be used. However, schools shouldn’t have a policy where they make students completely take away their phones. Some schools have made it so they use “Yondr.” This is a pouch that once closed, cannot be open unless you use a base. They completely lock the phone away from the owner. These devices are most likely useful, but what happens when an emergency happens and students need to get a hold of someone? It would take more time trying to open the pouch than just being able to grab your phone from a backpack or have less steps from getting it from a locker.
Some parents/guardians also want their kids to have their phones on them at all times. They are concerned about their child’s safety and want to make sure they are alright at school. If there was an emergency at school, they would like to know if their child is okay and want updates. Phones also allow parents to communicate about appointments, transportation, etc. Not being able to reach out to their child might worry many parents and it is not worth getting in trouble by the school for trying to text a family member.
Many schools have been banning phones from school, even schools near us. Schools like Shippensburg, Carlisle, and even the Big Spring Middle School have banned phones where students are not allowed to have them at all during the school day. States have also made laws about banning phones. Texas made a law about banning phones from all public schools in June.
The policy should be banning phones but with limitations. It would help schools be able to do much more during a school day and help students get more education in a school day. Having phones has been distracting towards students and many teachers. Schools banning phones but having limitations will be beneficial to many academic experiences.
