SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In California, a high school teacher complains that students watch Netflix on their phones during class. In Maryland, a chemistry teacher says students use gambling apps to place bets during the school day.

Educators across the nation report that students frequently use their smartphones during class for activities such as sending Snapchat messages, listening to music, and online shopping. These behaviors can be distracting and hinder the educational process.

The grasp that cell phones have on American teenagers is widely known, however, educators believe that parents are not fully aware of the extent to which students use them in the classroom. Additionally, there is a growing consensus among teachers and specialists on the solution: prohibiting the use of phones during class.

According to James Granger, a teacher at a high school in Los Angeles, students used to know that using their phones in class was not allowed. However, this is no longer the case. Mr. Granger implemented a system in his science classes where students must place their phones in a designated cubby with numbered slots. He believes that physically separating students from their phones is the only effective solution.

Schools typically have guidelines in place regarding the use of student cell phones, but they are not consistently enforced. A larger number of officials at both the state and national levels are now supporting the implementation of bans on cell phones in schools and proposing methods to limit access to these devices.

The most recent government action happened in Utah when Governor Spencer Cox, a member of the Republican party, encouraged the removal of cellphones from classrooms for all school districts and the state Board of Education last month. This was based on research that indicates removing phones can enhance learning, decrease distractions, and encourage more face-to-face communication among students.

Cox explained to reporters that his proposal aims to provide children with a daily period of six to seven hours without being constantly connected to digital devices. He stated that this effort, while not mandatory, is part of a larger legislative effort to safeguard young individuals in Utah from the negative effects of social media.

In July of the previous year, Florida implemented a new regulation targeting cell phone usage in schools. This law mandates that all public schools in Florida prohibit students from using their cellphones during class and also restricts access to social media on district Wi-Fi. A few districts, such as Orange County Public Schools, went even further by implementing a complete ban on cellphone use throughout the entire school day.

Recently, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Kansas have brought forth legislation known as “phone-free schools”.

In December, two senators from the United States (Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, and Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia) proposed a bill that would mandate a government investigation into how cellphone use in schools affects students’ mental well-being and academic achievement. Their partnership is just one of several efforts by both parties to enforce stricter regulations for social media companies and promote improved internet safety for children.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 77% of schools in the United States have a policy prohibiting the use of cellphones for non-academic purposes.

However, that numerical value is deceiving. It does not accurately reflect the extent to which students are complying with those restrictions nor how strictly the schools are enforcing them.

Just ask teachers.

According to Patrick Truman, a high school teacher in Maryland, the use of cellphones has become unmanageable. This is evident even in his own classroom, despite the school’s rule against students using their phones during class. The responsibility of enforcing this policy falls on individual teachers, so Truman purchased a 36-slot caddy to store students’ phones. However, students still manage to hide their phones and engage in activities like playing video games and checking social media during class.

After constantly having to monitor phone usage, he has reluctantly realized that students who use their phones are at least not causing any disturbances and can be considered well-behaved.

A recent report by Common Sense Media revealed that 97% of children use their phones during school hours. The research also found that school cellphone policies differ among classrooms and may not always be strictly upheld.

In order for a ban on cellphones at school to be effective, it is essential that the responsibility for enforcing it falls on the school administration and not on individual teachers. According to the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group formed by concerned mothers, policies that permit students to keep phones in their backpacks (which is the case in many schools) are not effective.

According to Kim Whitman, one of the group’s co-founders, having the bookbag on the floor near them can cause a buzzing distraction and make them tempted to check their phones. The group advises schools to implement a policy of turning off and locking away phones for the entire day.

Several students argue that these rules restrict their independence and limit their primary way of contacting loved ones. There has also been resistance from parents who worry about not being able to reach their children in case of a school crisis. Whitman suggests that schools should consider making allowances for students with unique educational or medical requirements, and to educate parents about the expert advice that phones can be hazardous distractions for students during emergencies.

Jaden Willoughey, a 14-year-old, has expressed his worry about losing contact with his parents during a crisis. However, he also recognizes the benefits of surrendering his phone during school hours.

At Delta High School, located in rural Utah, Jaden, a first-year student, is expected to surrender their cellphone upon entering each classroom. The school has approximately 30 classrooms, each equipped with a cellphone storage unit resembling an over-the-door shoe organizer with 36 slots for smartphones.

Jaden stated that the tool aids in concentrating on tasks and makes it simpler to remain engaged during lectures.

According to 14-year-old classmate Mackenzie Stanworth, having her phone nearby would make it difficult to ignore. She finds it refreshing to step away from the screen and social media and have face-to-face conversations with others.

According to Jared Christensen, the school’s vice principal, it took a significant amount of time to adjust the cellphone policy and develop an effective system.

Initially, it was a struggle, but it has been worth it,” he stated. “In class, students are more focused and involved. Teachers can now teach without the distraction of cellphones. Additionally, student academic performance has improved,” he remarked, pointing to test results that have exceeded state averages for the first time in years. “I cannot definitively attribute this to the policy, but I am certain it is making a positive impact.”

According to him, the upcoming conflict will involve earbuds and smartwatches. Despite attempts to conceal their phones in pouches, students have still been caught using air pods disguised under their hair or hoodies to listen to music. He mentioned that earbuds have not yet been addressed in the policy, but they are close to being included.

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The report was contributed to by AP reporter Hannah Schoenbaum, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Source: wral.com