As parents, we arm our kids with cellphones in case of emergencies. Cellphones can also provide students with immediate access to educational resources. But students have a hard time detaching themselves from their personal devices and teachers struggle to keep kids focused. Some studies also indicate that prolonged use of smartphones, in combination with social media, affects students’ mental health. According to Education Week, “at least 15 states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools statewide or recommend local districts enact their own bans or restrictive policies.” Hawai‘i currently does not have a statewide school cellphone ban. So how do we balance the pros and cons of the debate? Possible classroom cellphone control implementation strategies:
1) Teachers just tell students not to use phones during instruction. Concerns: The burden is on the teacher, stealing their focus from teaching. Students are likely to sneak gaming, messaging, or media access.
2) Teachers collect phones at the start of class and return at the end. Concerns: This takes time away from instruction. Schools and teachers could face liability issues if phones break or go missing.
3) Schools deploy a blocking app like “FamilyTime for Schools” to block apps and games, and remotely lock students’ phones during tests or lectures. Concerns: Cost of the app. More technology staff would be needed to implement.
4) Students get “Dumb Phones” Concerns: Students would still want “smartphones” for gaming and media so this would be a duplicative cost.
5) Students are given “Yondr pouches” to hold their cellphones. (Used at schools all over the US including Kīhei Charter School.) Teachers can lock or unlock with a magnetic base station based on academic or emergency needs. Concerns: Each pouch costs $25-30 and all parties would require training.
Whatever policy is developed, it needs input from all parties involved as full support will be necessary for it to succeed. What do you think? We welcome your thoughts in this short survey. Click here to take our survey