Schools in Arizona are taking strict measures to prevent students from using their cellphones during class time.
In certain school districts, students are required to put away their phones, whereas others opt to lock them up.
Chloe Sakala is a student at Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix, aged 16.
It’s quite common for kids to be on their phones during class, according to her.
Chloe expressed her concern regarding the use of phones in a classroom setting. According to her, the prevalence of texting and social media had resulted in many students using their phones during class.
Sandra Day O’Connor has decided to implement a new cellphone policy for the upcoming school year to minimize distractions in the classroom.
Throughout class, students should keep their cellphones out of sight and stored in their backpacks, pockets, or purses.
Like other schools across the state, this policy is being implemented to ensure consistency.
At Barry Goldwater High School, the use of cellphones during classes is prohibited, according to the school’s principal, Dr. Anita Stoltc.
According to Stoltc, the growth observed in students can be attributed to their focus on learning and the goals they set in the classroom, rather than the distractions of social media.
According to a 2023 report by Common Sense Media, an overwhelming 97% of students aged 11 to 17 use their mobile phones during school hours. These students often spend a significant amount of time on social media, which can be a major distraction from classroom activities.
The Bullhead City School District has gone one step further.
At the start of the day, students are required to place their mobile phones into a lock box, where they will remain until the end of the school day.
As a parent and former Phoenix police officer, Joe Sakala recognizes the importance of minimizing distractions in schools. However, he believes that confiscating or locking up phones is not a viable solution.
According to him, in case of any emergency situation on the campus, it is imperative for him to be able to reach out to his daughter.
Joe expressed his concern about the limitations of relying solely on technology in emergency situations. He pointed out that emergencies can come in various forms, such as hazmat incidents, natural disasters, or active shooter scenarios. Joe emphasized that it’s not just active shooter situations where people may need to reach out for help. He believes that we should not take away a young adult’s ability to seek help and stay safe.
Numerous school districts that Arizona’s Family reached out to are allowing their individual schools to determine the level of strictness for cellphone policies.
The impact of cellphones on each campus largely depends on the extent of the problem.
Governor Katie Hobbs made the decision to veto a bill in April that aimed to establish uniform regulations for the use of electronic devices, specifically cellphones, on school grounds across the state.
According to the governor, there is no need for additional measures as schools are already effectively addressing the issue.