Earlier this year, Indiana passed a law banning the use of wireless devices in classrooms. This law applies to cell phones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices and allows exemptions for educational purposes by teachers. Last year, Florida passed a similar law and as of right now, Kentucky, Vermont, Tennessee and Kansas are considering it. Supporters say the laws reduce distractions in the classroom, cut down on bullying through social media and encourage more in-person interaction.

Students are likely to feel safer if they have access to a phone during an emergency. However, the most important aspect of school safety is how children utilize their phones during the school day. This could include bullying, harassment, videotaping, and social media posting. These are the reasons why having phones in classrooms could potentially lead to unfavorable student conduct. These safety measures, which evaluate how comfortable students feel in classrooms, hallways, locker rooms, and cafeterias, show a significant decrease after the ban was lifted, implying that having a phone might interfere with a student’s ability to navigate those environments safely.

Although many support this law being passed, there is a fear among students and faculty that in the event  of an active shooter, students won’t be able to contact parents or 911 fast enough. Some teachers take this new law very seriously, requiring students to put up their phones in the beginning of class, either in a bin, phone pockets or by sending students to put it in their locker. On the other hand, some teachers say as long as they don’t see your phone, and it is not becoming a distraction or nuisance, they are perfectly fine with you having it. 

Katelyn Taylor, a teacher at John Adams High School, was asked how she felt about the new cell phone policy. In Taylor’s perspective , “I was a little apprehensive at first because I thought it kind of interferes with civil rights.” Taylor also added,“Students’ phones are an extension of themselves.” Adams High School students have continuously expressed their dislike for the new phone policy, most for the simple reason that they don’t want to have to give up their phone, leave it in a locker or not have it on their person. On the contrary, some students are worried about the possibility of not being able to contact their parents in case of an emergency or, at worst, an intruder or active shooter. 

This is a very important way to view this new policy. Just this year Adams High School has already had threats made against the school on a couple separate occasions. In recent years there have been serious lockdowns, causing students to fear for their safety. Not having immediate access to a phone, or way to contact someone outside of the building, is a real concern amongst students. 

To conclude, the concern that teachers and students have regarding the safety risk of not having a phone on them at school is very understandable. The influence of phones in the classroom negatively affects teachers’ and students’ ability to make the most of class time outweighs the necessity of phones in schools. 

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2024/04/03/1240667966/indiana-bans-cell-phones-schools-social-media-distraction 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/06/09/cell-phone-school-laws/73975232007/ 

https://www.npr.org/2018/01/11/577101803/a-schools-way-to-fight-phones-in-class-lock-em-up