It’s a problem that any teacher who has taught since the beginning of cell phones has faced. You’re teaching a class and you look out to a classroom filled with students staring down at their laps instead of paying attention to what they should be learning. It’s no mystery what they are doing as they are either texting, posting on social media, playing games, or even shopping.
Individual schools/districts try to institute cell phone policies which require phones to be put away as soon as students enter the classroom. This put the onus on the classroom teacher to keep reminding students to put phones away or else get disciplinary action. And which teacher hasn’t had to struggle with a kid to take his/her phone away, not to mention the parents of that child who will take their kid’s side in the argument.
At any rate, the problem of cell phones, whether as a distraction or a huge time waster, has hurt the academic progress of students throughout the country. Educators say that cell phone usage has also encouraged bullying and violence in the schools. Anyone who has been online can testify to the school fights posted there by students recording them on cell phones.
In 2020 over 77% of schools in the country banned cellphone usage. However, 97% of students report that they use their cellphones during the school day.
Some states, counties and districts are doing something about it. From Forbes: Cellphone Bans In Schools Grow: Virginia Plans Classroom Restrictions (msn.com)
Florida became the first state with a ban on cellphone use during class in a bill approved by lawmakers last year, which includes a ban on social media access while using a school’s Wi-Fi.
Indiana lawmakers approved in April a ban on wireless devices—applying to cellphones, tablets, laptops or gaming devices—during class.
Minnesota lawmakers also approved restrictions in April, requiring school districts in the state to adopt limits on cellphone use by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill in May requiring school districts to establish policies on cellphone use, which will take effect no later than July 2025, DeWine said.
In Virginia, Governor Glen Younkin issued an executive order that will require school districts to provide guidance to schools on cell phone usage.
The Pennsylvania State Senate recently passed a law regarding cellphone usage by students during school. From AP: Pennsylvania Senate passes bill encouraging school districts to ban students’ phone use during day | AP News
Pennsylvania’s Senate on Wednesday approved a bill to encourage school districts to start a pilot program that effectively bans students’ use of cellphones during the school day in an effort to improve their mental health and academic performance.
Maryland counties such as Baltimore County are also moving to ban cell phone usage by students during the school day. Schools are encouraged to sign up for a pilot program to test the efficiency of such a restriction. Anne Arundel, Carroll and Howard Counties are also considering stricter policies.
Maryland school systems explore cellphone restrictions (baltimoresun.com)
Not everyone is in favor of the bans. Some parents claim that they need to be able to contact their children during the school day in order to make changes to schedules, address emergencies, etc. School officials counter that parents can always reach their children through school offices. Students aren’t totally on board with the bans either. From the New York Times: What Students Are Saying About School Cellphone Bans – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Many students brought up the same reasons they wanted access to their phones during the day: to listen to music, to contact their parents and even for schoolwork. But many recognized the need for some boundaries around phone use, with several supporting an outright ban.
Teachers and school administrators point out that banning cell phone usage in school adds one more thing that they must police in their classrooms and schools. Some schools have hired staff whose sole job is to police the problem. All of this, teachers say, also takes away from academics.
Plus, many point out that cell phones aren’t the sole problem since many schools have given students laptop or tablet devices to use during the day. Although the students are supposed to use these devices for schoolwork, many students “hack” any firewalls in the schools wi-fi and play games, watch movies, etc.
Locally, the Talbot County Board of Education developed a cell phone use policy:
Possession and Use of Portable Communication Devices (Cell Phones) Regulations
SUMMARY OF STANDARDS
| Standard | Elementary (PK – 5) | Middle (6 – 8) | High (9 – 12) |
| May possess a device on school property | X | X | X |
| May use device in silent mode during lunch and class change | X | ||
| May use device in silent mode with earbuds on school bus | X | X | |
| May use device during extra curricular activities or after school hours | X | X |
What is the impact of banning cell phone usage during the school day?
In Australia, Spain, and Belgium research has shown that banning mobile phones in schools can positively impact students’ academic performance. For instance, after schools implemented cellphone bans, test scores of students aged 16 increased by approximately 6.4% of a standard deviation. This improvement is equivalent to adding five days to the school year or an additional hour of learning per week. Notably, the effects were even more pronounced for low-achieving students, while high-achieving students did not experience a significant impact23.
The issue of cellphone usage by students will continue to be debated by school officials, parents, and politicians. The issue reflects the general observations that many adults know in their lives as well, that cellphones have become an intrusion on our lives, almost like an addiction. One need only look at people walking down the street or sitting at dinner with their faces plastered on a screen to see how cell phones have changed our lives, attention spans, and personal interactions.
The critical question is whether we can find a balance for students (and ourselves) between being attentive and safe in school (and elsewhere) and the advantages of having information and communication at their fingertips.
Jan Greenhawk, Author
Jan Greenhawk is a former teacher and school administrator for over thirty years. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Maryland. She also spent over twenty-five years coaching/judging gymnastics and coaching women’s softball.
This article was originally featured on the Easton Gazette.
