The debate surrounding smartphones in K-12 schools often boils down to a simple question: To ban or not to ban? While it’s tempting to implement an outright ban on student phones, I am still in favor of finding a healthy balance of technology use in our students’ lives. School leaders must think this through before imposing an outright ban on phones. Yes, I am in 100% agreement that smartphones in the hands of children under 16 can cause an array of mental health and social-emotional issues. But if we are not teaching and holding students accountable now, when will they learn appropriate use of technology?
While I relate to the challenges educators face when students bring distractions to class, I worry about cutting off students’ access. Moreover, these are not wholesale bans for smartphones either, just when they are in school. Once students get their phones back at the end of the day, they have the option to resort back to bad habits. Additionally, many students in marginalized groups find community via their phones. They use it with intentionality in a positive way. Taking this access away could be harmful to that connection. Rather than starting with a ban, school leaders should take a hard look at where the pain points are for students and teachers. Once this data is collected, it should be shared, feedback solicited, and policy should follow.
Whatever side you are on in this debate, you are not wrong. Ultimately, we are all looking out for our children and trying to find a starting point. However, I want us to start having difficult conversations about this topic and getting student feedback on this approach. A ban can look good and feel good with a small sample size, but is it creating new behaviors in the long term? And is it sustainable? In most cases, including the story linked above, the ban approach is only a bandaid to a problem that persists beyond classroom hours.
Let’s explore why outright phone bans might not be the solution and how schools can use this as an opportunity to foster digital citizenship.
The Pitfalls of Phone Bans
Inequitable enforcement: Phone bans often result in disproportionate enforcement, with students from marginalized backgrounds more likely to be targeted. This can worsen existing achievement gaps and contribute to a negative school climate.
Impedes learning: Smartphones offer immense potential when leveraged correctly. Banning them eliminates access to valuable online resources, educational apps, and tools for creative projects.
Breeds resentment: Phone bans can breed a culture of resentment towards school authorities. Students may perceive the policy as overly restrictive, leading to defiance and workarounds.
Missed opportunity for education: Instead of outright bans, we should seize the opportunity to teach crucial digital citizenship skills. This is far more effective in the long run than a blanket policy.
Embedding Digital Wellness in the K-12 Curriculum
A smarter approach to smartphones in schools involves promoting healthy digital habits and responsible usage. Here’s how schools can achieve this:
Collaborative policy development: Involve students, parents, teachers, and administrators in drafting a smartphone policy. This will encourage buy-in and create guidelines that work for everyone within your school community.
Designated phone-free zones: Create specific areas where phone usage is restricted (e.g., classrooms, lunch, library) within the school. This allows for focused learning while acknowledging the value of phones for communication and breaks.
Digital wellness curriculum: Design a curriculum that explicitly addresses topics like:
Cyberbullying
Online privacy and security
Fact-checking and source verification
Healthy screentime habits
The impact of social media on mental health
Student-led initiatives: Encourage students to spearhead digital wellness campaigns and peer-to-peer education initiatives. This builds leadership skills and increases the impact of the message.
Partnerships with experts: Collaborate with tech experts, digital well-being organizations, and mental health professionals to provide resources and workshops for students, families, and staff.
Rather than resorting to simplistic bans, schools need to invest in equipping students with the necessary skills to navigate our increasingly digital world. By emphasizing digital citizenship, we empower students to become responsible, ethical, and self-aware technology users. Let’s ditch the “ban” mentality and foster an environment where technology becomes a powerful tool for learning, growth, and connection.
Please share how your school is approaching this topic.
Andrew Marcinek is the author of Teaching Digital Kindness which explores these topics and shares strategies for finding a healthy balance of technology use.
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