FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 05, 2024

Schools vs. phones: Bans surge to keep focus on learning rather than screens

Students' phones are a no-no at a growing number of districts as administrators try to reduce texting, social media use, cyberbullying, videotaping and other disruptions to learning. New York City, Los Angeles, Cleveland and the state of Virginia acted this summer to outlaw phone use during class time. "Bell-to-bell – no cell," wall signs say. "This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn," says Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. Seventy-two percent of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major issue, the Pew Research Center of Washington, D.C., reported in June.

Restrictions or bans are being discussed in Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York State and California. Some educators push for a day-long prohibition, arguing that students are less likely to socialize face-to-face during lunch or other breaks if they have access to screens. At Richmond Public Schools in Virginia, students stash phones in sealed pouches when they arrive – an approach other districts also use. Elsewhere, students can keep phones in their lockers for use during free periods.

School boards and superintendents hear objections from parents who fear being unable to reach children during a family or community emergency, including a school shooting or lockdown. Some administrators allow flip phones as a compromise because they can't go online, tape videos or exchange texts. In addition, exceptions are made for pupils who need phones for medical monitoring. But advocates of tight rules insist that education considerations come first. "It's a distraction," Says Superintendent Charles Smialek of Ohio's Parma City School District, where cell phones already are banned in classrooms. "You really do get addicted to that immediate gratification of picking up and, you know, seeing how many likes you got on Instagram or how many views you got on TikTok. I mean, students really get fixated on that."

At the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C., chief science officer Mitch Prinstein says: "We have good science to show that banning cell phones in classrooms during class time is really important because there's no such thing as multitasking. We all are just engaging in task-shifting back and forth, and kids' brains are not fully developed enough to be able to task-shift as well as adults."

Governor says: "I look forward to working with the Legislature to restrict the use of smartphones during the school day. When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies — not their screens." – Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California

Board member says: "Our students are glued to their cell phones – not unlike adults. They're surreptitiously scrolling in school, in class time. They have their head in their hands walking down the hallways. They're not talking to each other or playing at lunch or recess because they have their AirPods in." – Nick Melvoin, Los Angeles Unified School District

Student says: "A decent number of kids usually try to sneak them in, play games when they should be doing their work." -- Cohen Gielink, high school sophomore in Riverside, Ohio (near Cleveland)

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.