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Phones banned in schools?
- Thread starter Nebulous
- Start date
I don’t know about complete ban, but ban the kids from using them during class.
We had phones when I was in high school, and we got in trouble for using them during class, but we could use them between classes. Nobody died.
We had phones when I was in high school, and we got in trouble for using them during class, but we could use them between classes. Nobody died.
I agree with this! But also ban them for teachers too!
I used to be a sub and there were days when I absolutely didn't mind the kids using their phones (high schoolers), but during tests, they would try to sneak them...ugh. One guy tried to convince me the teacher always let him because English was his second language. I told him that he had to wait to retake the test when the teacher was present then, and told him to put the phone away and finish the test. The teacher said he lied to me...ya think?
I certainly do agree with that! Doctors, too, when you are paying for a "visit"!
There are usually signs all over the place to turn off your cell phone while you're there.
Yeah, nobody likes rules for thee but not for me. What would piss off a rebellious teenager more than a teacher telling them they can’t use their phone while they’re texting?
Same. I am completely against the school banning cellphones altogether. Kids should have a right to communicate with their parents in between classes.
I feel like this debate is just another extension of the broader issue we face culturally—schools being expected to take on parenting roles while simultaneously being restricted in how they can enforce discipline.
Most people seem to agree that phones in class are disruptive, and that having them stored in lockers or bags is a reasonable compromise. But let’s be honest: what’s stopping students from just bringing them into class anyway? That’s exactly what we, as adults, would do if no one enforced a workplace phone policy. So now the burden falls on teachers—not just to educate, but to police phone usage too.
And that’s where things start to break down. Teachers are left with limited options, often having to interrupt lessons multiple times just to deal with phone misuse. It defeats the purpose of banning phones in the first place and creates a frustrating cycle that undermines both learning and authority.
In many cases, this isn’t just about student behavior—it’s the result of years of unclear or inconsistent policy planning. Schools are reacting to decades of tech integration without a long-term strategy, and now they’re scrambling to fix it with half-measures that don’t really solve the problem.
Most people seem to agree that phones in class are disruptive, and that having them stored in lockers or bags is a reasonable compromise. But let’s be honest: what’s stopping students from just bringing them into class anyway? That’s exactly what we, as adults, would do if no one enforced a workplace phone policy. So now the burden falls on teachers—not just to educate, but to police phone usage too.
And that’s where things start to break down. Teachers are left with limited options, often having to interrupt lessons multiple times just to deal with phone misuse. It defeats the purpose of banning phones in the first place and creates a frustrating cycle that undermines both learning and authority.
In many cases, this isn’t just about student behavior—it’s the result of years of unclear or inconsistent policy planning. Schools are reacting to decades of tech integration without a long-term strategy, and now they’re scrambling to fix it with half-measures that don’t really solve the problem.
So how should the problem be fixed?
That would a deal breaker for me, and I'm sure this happens to every middle school/high school teacher across the US on a daily basis.
What if there's a school shooter? How are the kids & parents supposed to be in contact?
I don't think phones should be on in the classroom, but getting rid of them completely? Yeah....no.
School shootings really don't happen as often as we think...yes they happen more than they should, but it's not a common occurrence when you think about all the schools in the nation and how many days kids attend. I don't think phones should be confiscated, but they should be in their backpacks during class and if they get caught then a detention is in order. Schools are afraid to give consequences to actions these days unfortunately.
A complete ban is not feasible and also sort of silly as children need to be able to get in touch with their parents and authorities just in case. However, a strict phones off and in bags policy is probably more attainable, and punishments for being caught on the phone in class should be implemented.
Restriction of its use is suffice. In my school days, we don't have smartphones and rarely do students have flip phones. Only around the late-2010s where I see these smartphones everywhere. Some teachers would allow smartphones so they could take a picture of the written notes by the teacher on the board. They're chill like that. But, that's when smartphones aren't hyper addictive as it is now.
It would be very bad. AI can be used to manipulate photos these days.
That's pretty scary to consider!
Yeah especially with nude bomb apps.
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