The Push to Ban Phones in Schools Accelerates Cybertraps 133

Cybertraps Podcast

• News Item – The Boston Globe Publishes an Editorial Urging Schools to Prohibit Student Phone Use at School “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/22/opinion/sorry-kids-no-more-phones-school/”

• Overarching Questions / Issues

• This is a global issue

• 2022/2023 freshman are the iGen – born after introduction of iPhone in 2007 (!)

• Is this part of a move to de-emphasize screens in education generally?

• Will strict private schools scare away tech-savvy students?

• Justifications

• Distraction / Loss of Focus
  • On average, kids unlock their phones 50 times each day
• Impact on Grades
  • Many educators report improved performance when access to devices is restricted
• Post-Pandemic Need for Non-Phone Socialization
  • Kids who engage more face-to-face are generally happier

• Less spontaneity and real-world creativity

• Teaching self-control should be part of school’s social-emotional curriculum

• “I think great ideas come from boredom.” – John Kalapos, Buxton history teacher and tech committee chair

• Methods

• Complete on-campus bans – no smartphones at all

• Partial bans – students allowed to use phones between classes and at lunch

• Lockbags / Pouches
  • In some schools, teachers and administrators have a tool for unlocking containers
  • Other schools have unlocking magnets at each exit; kids tap the bag on the magnet as they leave
  • Partnership with Yondr [ https://www.overyondr.com/ ]
  • Originally founded in 2014 to limit use of phones in music venues

• Cabinets (“Cellphone Hotels”) / Lockers / Hanging Shoe Organizers

• Some schools permit “dumb” phones and the use of laptops to access the internet
  • One private school is promoting the Light Phone [ https://www.thelightphone.com/ ]

• Teachers encouraged to model good behavior by observing school bans

• Objections and Concerns

• Parents want to be able to contact their children
  • In 2015, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio abandoned a policy against phones in schools
• Kids are NOT enthusiastic
  • Protests and fire alarms pulled at Torrington High School in Feb. 2022

• Kids ignore school policies (as many as 2/3 disregard bans, according to a national survey)

• Efforts to police bans may also be damaging to learning and student mental health

• For some students, a phone may be their only technology

• Concerns over security of devices during the day

• Some teachers and school board members want to have schools incorporate phones (and especially social media) into curricula

• Schools need to upgrade phone systems to make it possible for parents to reach children

• Schools need a plan for digital withdrawal; phones, apps, and social media designed to be addictive

• American Academy of Pediatrics dropped screen time limits for kids 5 and older because the impact of screen time varied based on the personality and circumstances of each kid

• Resources

- #2022–08–22 Sorry, kids, no more phones in school “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/22/opinion/sorry-kids-no-more-phones-school/” - #2022–08–21 Boston high school teacher wants city to implement smartphone ban “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/21/opinion/boston-high-school-teacher-wants-city-implement-smartphone-ban/” - #2022–08–18 “They don’t interact with each other.” The growing movement to ban phones in high schools. “https://www.mamamia.com.au/mobile-phone-ban-australia/” - #2022–08–15 Utah middle school bans phones from entire school day “https://kslnewsradio.com/1973508/utah-middle-school-bans-phones-from-entire-school-day/” - #2022–08–14 High school phone ban ‘more urgent than ever’ amid pressure on teens “https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/high-school-phone-ban-more-urgent-than-ever-amid-pressure-on-teens–20220809-p5b8dp.html” - #2022–08–13 Some Mass. high schools adopt strict cellphone-free policies this school year “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/13/metro/mass-high-schools-adopt-strict-cellphone-free-policies-this-school-year/ ” - #2022–07–16 A boarding school in the Berkshires is banning smartphones for students and teachers “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/16/business/boarding-school-berkshires-is-banning-smartphones-students-teachers/ ” - #2022–05–09 Chicopee High principal says cell phone locking has resulted in better student performance “https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/05/chicopee-high-principal-says-cell-phone-locking-has-resulted-in-better-student-performance.html” - #2022–02–25 Police respond as high school students protest phone policy “https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/25/metro/police-respond-high-school-students-protest-phone-policy/ ” - #2018–06–01 How one local high school teacher got his students to actually put away their phones “https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2018/06/01/students-check-their-devices-cellphone-hotel/LuoA4LUJ807R0t5BsVnKTL/story.html ”

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.