School Policies: Leaders and Educators Share Perspectives on Cell Phone Bans
As the UK pushes for legislation to ban the use of cell phones in school, educators and school leaders in the U.S. shared their own perspectives. While districts move toward banning cell phones, educators explain they will need support from admin to enforce the policies.
- “Visiting my daughter’s high school today. They’ve recently restricted cell phones. So many students sitting in groups in the cafeteria, laughing & talking…chatting in the hallways… it’s a different place. Side note: I asked a teacher what the biggest change is… Ready? Answer: ‘Kids are in class so much more! They used to ‘go to the bathroom’ all the time but now it’s clear they were just using their phones. No phones means they’re in class much more.’” —Educator in New York
- “But if class is boring and lessons are not designed to engage their thinking…..who cares if they are in class? They are just in class…..listening to a teacher talk for 90min. And likely sleeping. Cell phones AND instruction can co-exist. Been there. Done that.” —School Leader in North Carolina
- “Couldn’t agree more! As a middle school principal, I concluded each morning’s announcements with “Students, at this time all cell phones must be powered off and locked in your lockers. Let’s have a great day!”” —School Leader in Tennessee
- “Our building is no phones and 95 percent of the students adhere to it very well. We have seen an increase in positive engagement especially at lunch, and a decrease in behavior issues.” —Administrator, N/A
- “5-8 campus. We restricted phones with 5th graders last year and now 5th and 6th this year! It’s been great and soon to be a phone free school!” —Middle School Principal in Arkansas
- “The school where I teach went to a zero cell phone policy (during school hours)….BEST decision! Student engagement is so much higher!! More smiles!!” —Educator, N/A
- “My school district is enforcing a new cellphone law. It’s painstaking and time consuming. However, the admin looks like they have the stamina. It’s about time👌🏾, I personally ban them during instruction.” —Educator, N/A
- “#SAANYSChat Q1: What impacts do you see with students in school as it relates to digital devices?” —Superintendent in New York
- “A1: School-issued devices not having the necessary restrictions pre-installed on them & w/ personal devices, lots from off-task behavior, social issues w/ social media, etc. I’ve also seen digital devices enhance the learning environment,but gotta use them w/ care.” —Elementary Assistant Principal in Indiana
- “A student has a harder time resting/recovering from illnesses or surgery because the steam of assignments never stops. Instead of ‘great to have you back, class wasn’t the same without you’ it’s ’don’t worry you can make it all up’” —Elementary Assistant Principal in New York
- “A1: While I do see some potential positives, I see the schools needing to set boundaries that aren’t being set outside of school. Now as a #superintendent, I see that even more.” —Superintendent in New York
- “Individual teachers should not be allowed to set phone policies. It only takes one ‘cool teacher’ to make everyone else’s lives more annoying.” —Middle School Math Teacher in New York
- “I’ve been tasked with helping to create a school-wide cell phone policy. Here’s the parameters: The district officially has a cell phone ban. But with no guidance on implementation or consequences. Cell phones are prevalent. Want to avoid raising the suspension rate.” —Teacher, N/A
- “Maybe half the teachers would even be willing to enforce a strict cell phone ban. Teachers don’t have time for any more documentation. No budget. The more complicated it is, the fewer people will do it. We want to support the teachers who are doing it.” —Teacher, N/A