According to AZFamily, schools in Arizona are taking a stricter stance on the use of cellphones in classrooms.
In certain school districts, students are required to put away their phones, while in others, the phones are locked up.
Chloe Sakala is a student at Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix, and she is only sixteen years old.
It’s common to see kids on their phones during class, according to her.
Chloe voiced her concern regarding the use of phones in the classroom, stating that texting and social media are major distractions. She observed that a significant number of students are frequently on their phones during class.
Sandra Day O’Connor has decided to introduce a new cellphone policy for the upcoming academic year to minimize classroom distractions.
During class time, students are required to keep their cellphones out of sight and inside their backpacks, pockets, or purses.
Many schools across the state have implemented similar policies.
Barry Goldwater High School’s principal, Dr. Anita Stoltc, strictly prohibits the use of cellphones during class time.
According to Stoltc, the growth that students experience can be attributed to their dedication towards learning and the goals they set in the classroom, rather than being distracted by social media.
According to a report by Common Sense Media in 2023, 97% of students between the ages of 11 and 17 are using their phones during school hours. It was found that most of the time, they are engaged in social media activities, which is causing a major distraction from their studies in the classroom.
Going beyond the norm, the Bullhead City School District has taken additional measures.
At the start of the day, students are required to store their cellphones in a lock box and refrain from using them 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 locking up or confiscating phones is not the ideal solution.
According to him, in case of an emergency situation on the campus, he must be able to get in touch with his daughter.
Joe expressed his concern about the possibility of a hazmat, natural disaster, or active shooter situation. He emphasized that it doesn’t have to be an active shooter for the need to reach out for help to arise. Joe believes that taking away a young adult’s ability to seek help is not a viable solution.
Several school districts in Arizona are giving autonomy to individual schools to determine the extent of their cellphone policies, according to Arizona’s Family.
The impact of cellphones on each campus varies greatly depending on the scale of the issue.
Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill in April that aimed to establish uniform regulations across the state regarding electronic devices, including cellphones, on school premises.
According to the governor, schools are already addressing the problem effectively, making it unnecessary to take any further action.
