Parents disagree over what limits—if any—are appropriate as more Texas school districts propose policies restricting students’ access to cell phones.
Keller Independent School District is the latest to consider keeping kids off their phones during school hours.
“The data is clear that cell phones and social media are addictive, contribute to mental health issues, and are a disruption to the learning environment. This policy will help address this issue by re-establishing a healthy, safe, and positive learning environment,” Board President Charles Randklev posted before last week’s school board meeting.
During the July 25 meeting, trustees previewed a policy requiring students to keep their cell phones turned off and stored in a bag or locker throughout the school day—including during class changes and lunch.
Students can use their phones in emergencies or “for approved purposes.”
The draft proposal states, “This policy is established to reduce distractions for students during the school day and to minimize interruptions to the learning process for all students. The district recognizes that personal telecommunications may be a safety tool, but asks that parents and guardians please call the school’s phone number to relay any urgent messages to their child.”
While some parents and teachers support the phone-free policy, others think it goes too far.
“Teachers need to establish discipline in the classroom. Administrators need to back them up. The board needs to hold the district accountable for adhering to policy,” Keller parent Kathy Booher posted on social media. “The cell phone policy might be ‘educator-led,’ but how is our ‘pro-parent’ board rationalizing coming between parents and their kids?”
Trustee Chris Coker assured another concerned parent that as the policy is implemented, it will be “tweaked” based on input from parents and teachers to make it “as efficient as possible.”
Keller ISD trustees are expected to approve a final phone policy in August.
Last month, Killeen ISD trustees approved a plan to restrict their students’ cell phone usage.
Starting this fall, Killeen middle and high school students will be issued phone storage pouches with security locks. Students will keep possession of their phones in the pouches but must get permission to use them.
The pouches and unlocking devices will cost Killeen ISD taxpayers $523,000.
Some parents believe districts are adopting cell phone bans to keep kids from recording what goes on inside schools.
Prosper mom and public education advocate Aileen Blachowski disagrees with spending money on the storage systems.
“It only costs self-control, and it’s time to build some into the next generation,” Blachowski posted on social media.
“Phones aren’t the only devices that need to be axed from classrooms,” she added. “ALL screens preK-5. Let’s be bold, shall we?”
Richardson ISD launched a pilot program in 2022 to keep students’ cell phones locked in pouches during the school day.
According to administrators, the policy was so popular with teachers and parents that it was expanded to other campuses. The district’s current policy requires students to keep cell phones and AirPods locked in a school-issued pouch the entire time they are on campus.
Pike Middle School in Arlington ISD announced this month that students would not be allowed to use cell phones or other electronic devices during the school day, drawing mixed responses from parents.
The issue of cell phones in classrooms is being debated across the state and country.
State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R–Lakeway) has endorsed legislation to get smartphones out of all Texas classrooms.
Idaho police officer David Gomez, a student resource officer known online as “Officer Gomez,” has dedicated years to educating parents and kids about the dangers of social media on electronic devices.
Gomez recommends limiting children’s cell phone usage and screen time on school-issued Chromebooks—which he’s demonstrated students can easily use to access inappropriate content.
A survey Officer Gomez recently conducted showed parents across the country are divided on the best way to protect kids from harmful content online and ensure students are engaged during instructional time.
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