Viewpoints Explained: Should Classrooms Be Cellphone-Free Spaces?

This is Viewpoints Explained…

This year, many students started classes with one big change: no more cellphones or smartwatches allowed in the classroom. This new policy is gaining steam in districts across the country, but have left some parents asking, “Is this really necessary?”

Back to school season is behind us and the fall semester is flying by. Many kids and teens are already counting the days until their next break for the holidays as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach. But across several states, this school year has felt a lot different for many students after a major policy change: cellphone bans.

As of September, at least fifteen states have passed legislation or put in place policies that ban or restrict the use of cellphones and connected devices, according to data compiled by education week. In Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina, these policies are the strictest and mandate that all students turn off their phones and smart watches and store them in lockers or backpacks until the end of the day. And in states like California, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana and Virginia, where this rule has recently passed, schools are doing a slow roll out. These policies seem to be sweeping across the country, and even in places where these bans aren’t required, schools are still incentivized or recommended to ban cell phones.

For some, this shift has been difficult. With devices turned off, parents have voiced concerns about the possibility of not being able to reach their kids if there’s an emergency. However, people in favor of the policy argue that there are a lot more pros than cons. Students are more focused, spend less time on social media and there are less interruptions in the classroom. Last year, pew research reported that 70 percent of high school teachers said that their students were distracted by smartphones. These numbers aren’t surprising given that the average teen spends four to six hours per day online.

While these sweeping bans may seem excessive, some believe it’s a necessary shift to get teens offline and focused on learning. What do you think?