Should cell phones be allowed in schools? Over 10,000 people share this opinion

PRAIRIEVILLE, Louisiana (WKRC) – A high school student’s petition to allow cell phones in public schools received over 10,000 signatures in three days.

After Louisiana State Senate Bill 207 passed, banning cell phone use in schools across the state, students were unhappy. Sophomore Kaytlin Villescas told WBRZ she sees the bill as a futile attempt to solve a problem that adults don’t really understand.

“This is our high school experience, not theirs,” Villescas said. “We understand that most adults agree (with Senate Bill 207), but they’re not in high school, so they don’t know.”

Kaytlin also noted that having access to a phone during school hours could be essential in emergency situations. She said she understands why the devices are banned in classrooms, but they should at least be allowed in the hallways.

“We are honest about our technology and I really wish they would recognize that,” she said.

Kaytlin felt an injustice and started a petition on Change.org.

“I thought if there was a voice for all of us who believe we are being heard, then that could make a difference because it affects so many high school students in Louisiana,” Villescas said. “Students have come to me and said, ‘Hey, I saw your petition. I signed it, and we hope you can be a voice and we can get some of our rights back that make school bearable for us.'”

In just three days, over 10,000 signatures were collected for the petition. By Monday, the petition had reached almost 12,000 of the targeted 15,000 signatures.

WBRZ said Villescas sent her petition to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry but has not yet received a response.

Indiana bans cell phones in classrooms

In March, Governor Eric Holcomb issued a ban on cell phones in all K-12 schools in Indiana.

This will look different in each district, as schools have the opportunity to set restrictions and consequences in their handbook.

“All we ask is that we make those 45 to 47 minutes of class time sacred learning time and really try to help our students learn and grow the way we want them to,” said Ken Olson, assistant principal at Plymouth High School.

The majority of schools share Olson’s view. The goal is to keep the devices out of the classroom, but not necessarily out of the school.

“One of the things we do is the first time, there’s a warning,” Olson said. “The teachers just talk to the child, maybe pull them out into the hallway and say, ‘Hey, you know you need to put it away.’ And they put it away, no big deal, we all agree. If they refuse at that point, they’ll be sent to the office and meet with one of the administrators, and we’ll talk about that as well. The second time, you just go to the office. We’ll have the same conversation and keep the device for the rest of the day. The third time, it’s back to the office again. We’ll keep the device, but this time we’ll keep it until a parent comes.”

At Rochester High School, there is a basket where students can throw their phones if they don’t want to leave them in a locker before class starts.

“For these phones, we provide secure areas for them, or they can keep them in their locker. That was already in our handbook,” said Oscar Haughs, Rochester’s principal.

Not everything has stayed the same. While some schools only ban cell phones, others include more devices.

“We added headphones and earbuds. And the whole idea behind that is that when students are on their phones or listening to music, they’re distracted and they’re not getting the important learning that we’re trying to teach them,” Olson said.

Penn Harris Madison has stated that its existing policy is consistent with the state mandate, allowing students to leave their phones in their pockets, backpacks or lockers as long as they are not carried during class time.

A key focus of this change is communication between teachers and administration.

“The teachers are definitely on board. They’re excited that we’re giving it a little more bite. We’ve just changed the discipline matrix in the handbook a little bit. I’ve given it to my deputy principal so she can do more hands-on work with it than the teachers. To give them more support and a stronger backbone, so to speak,” Haughs said.

The main purpose of these restrictions is to maintain attention and avoid unnecessary stressors, said one school principal.

For more information about your specific school district and its cell phone policies, please consult your school handbook.