Cell Phone Ban A Student and Teacher Perspective…

This week, I dedicated a significant amount of time reflecting on the cell phone ban implemented in schools. To gain a clearer understanding of the situation, I decided to survey both my staff and students to gauge their perspectives and compare them with my own. The results were eye-opening. A strong majority of staff (72.7%) felt positively about the ban, while an overwhelming 95% of students expressed dissatisfaction.

When I asked for feedback on the potential benefits, staff consistently mentioned a heightened sense of safety, particularly in preventing students and teachers from being videotaped without consent, which I wholeheartedly agree with, especially at the middle and high school levels. Other benefits staff noted included more meaningful interactions, face-to-face conversations, and fewer distractions. In contrast, students largely disagreed, with many stating that the only upside they saw was the possibility of more students paying attention in class. Beyond that, they didn’t see any other noticeable benefits.

The stark contrast between staff and student opinions has given me a lot to think about, and it’s clear that while the ban may provide some advantages, it also comes with significant drawbacks that we cannot ignore.

When I asked both students and staff about any negative drawbacks of the cell phone ban, common concerns from staff revolved around the limitations on technology use. Many expressed frustration that students could no longer use their phones for school projects, accessing Edsby, or other educational purposes. Students echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the difficulty in contacting parents quickly, completing assignments, and, for some, not being able to bring e-readers or smartwatches to school. As an elementary school it is pretty much impossible to get permission for students. 

This is where I’m struggling the most. As part of a highly collaborative staff, we didn’t see the same level of disruption. Students had a system in place—storing their phones in lockers and asking permission to use them when needed. It worked well, and we had a good balance. It’s been frustrating to have that system taken out of our hands, especially as educators who know what works best for our classrooms. On the other hand, I do understand the benefits of the ban, particularly around reducing distractions and fostering more direct interactions.

This issue continues to weigh heavily on my mind, and I’ll likely keep debating it. When I asked for suggestions on potential changes, students proposed some interesting ideas: allowing phones back with teacher permission, permitting other forms of technology like personal laptops and e-readers, and, notably, allowing phone use during lunch. Staff, on the other hand, were generally in favor of leaving decisions up to individual teachers’ discretion.

Ultimately, this policy feels a bit like micro-management, and I’m caught in the middle. I absolutely see the benefits of the ban, but it also feels restricting. It’s a delicate balance, and the conversation is far from over. The ongoing challenge will be finding a solution that works for everyone while still preserving the educational experience we strive to create.

Thanks for reading.

Karissa Beck 🙂