Tension rises throughout many public schools in Idaho as school boards face a controversial decision: should they take strides to remove cell phones from the high school campus completely or allow students to continue their education with access to unlimited digital freedom?
Lakeland’s current policy is that students are to keep their phones in backpacks unless it is passing period, lunch or before or after school.
Public school boards throughout the state of Idaho have been addressing the idea of making rules against students bringing their cell phones to school every day. Through disciplinary enforcement, the idea is to reduce cyberbullying, distractions and cheating by limiting the student’s access to the internet.
This sounds ideal for many teachers, admin and parents, as the idea of an active class with focused students is a no-brainer. Yet, several disagreements have arisen in the discussions about the cell phone policy.
Some school boards across the nation have enforced the no-phone rule by threatening disciplinary action for teachers if students are on phones during their class. This means the teachers are responsible for keeping each of their students accountable during class time.
However, for some, the phone access seems like an issue for student’s mental health, and they believe phones should be eradicated from campus.
“It’s good for you mentally and physically to be away from the phone for at least 50 minutes,” Lakeland High School teacher Rick Anderson said.
While the rules have been set in place to reduce stress and distraction, some Lakeland students argue that it only adds stress to their plate.
“It adds stress knowing that I have coaches and parents I have to respond to, but can’t.” Ryan Engelbrecht said.
School boards are in high-debate wondering if the students should be allowed to learn how to maneuver life with a cell phone at hand.
“I just think it is crazy, we see kids driving on the highway every morning to be here, working long hours, and supporting their families even. But it’s like when it comes to cell phones, we all are still too immature for them,” Lakeland High School junior, Dominick Hinderman, said.
Many teachers at Lakeland High School recognize the student’s freedoms and push for students to be able to go on them outside of class times.
“Lakeland High School teachers pushed for students to be able to have access to their phones during passing periods and lunchtime.” Shannon Hall said.
Idaho is not the only state turning to restrictive techniques on devices. Some schools have even invested in a device called a “cell phone jammer” commonly called jammers. These devices block phones from messaging in apps including Snapchat, iMessage and even phone calling apps.
School boards in states such as Florida and Indiana say that they are not trying to infringe on anyone’s freedoms, but they need student’s full attention to increase academic achievement.
Cell phone jammers are a violation of federal law unless used in a school, private business, residence, or vehicle.
President of the National School Safety and Security Services, Kenneth S. Trump, stresses the importance of having cell phones that can communicate with the outside world, as they are “security blankets” for parents if their child ever is in a school emergency.
While arguments are made that having more calls and messages going through could disrupt signals, students getting opportunities to call first responders when adults can not, could prevent the emergency from occurring.
