Teachers and parents don’t see eye to eye on cellphone bans, in this week’s Inside Voices

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I got my first cellphone in the seventh grade. It had no games, and I wasn’t allowed to text. Essentially, its only purpose was to call my parents in case of an emergency.

Today’s students face a different reality: Their smartphones can do a whole lot more than my LG flip phone could — and therein lies the problem, according to some Utahns. The distractions created by cellphones are prompting some state lawmakers to propose an extended bell-to-bell ban on cellphone use in schools.

I asked you what you thought about taking Utah’s ban on cellphone use in classrooms one step further.

A few educators offered their perspectives.

“I think this is a fantastic idea and should have been done long ago. From an educator’s perspective, cell phone use in school is a major distraction (even secondary). When students are allowed to have phones, even during passing periods and at lunch, there’s a significant decrease in social interaction. Additionally, I notice that many parents and students text throughout the day to coordinate after school activities. This is something that should happen outside of school hours. If it’s an emergency or a parent needs to reach a student right away, they can always call the school to get in touch with their student.” — Melissa, Riverton

“I am a teacher. I want to know who is going to police this policy. As teachers, we are asked to do too much already with very little consequences for students. Is the state going to provide more money to help hire more people to help students or is this another thing that will fall on schools? Furthermore, we need to be teaching students how to be responsible for their devices. If we can’t teach them at school, I doubt they will really learn at home.” — Paige, Provo

“I am all for it! I am a teacher. Cell phones are a huge distraction for students, they do not need cell phones at school, between Chromebooks and land lines in the school, parents and students can communicate throughout the day. I have observed over my 21 years of teaching how cell phones have interfered with education, social health and definitely emotional health. Leave the cell phones out of school.” — Sherry, Ogden

“I am a High School teacher and I DO NOT support a bell-to-bell phone ban in high school. I DO support the current law and have seen incredible gains in class when students know that it’s not just teacher preference, but the law that says they can’t have their phone out. That being said, I teach seniors. They have jobs, they have lessons and schedules after school that need managing, and when they are at lunch or during passing period there is no reason not to let them check their phone and then put it back away. I do not think a bell-to-bell ban is necessary and I think it would backfire miserably.” — Charlotte, Eagle Mountain

And so did some parents.

“I’m all for no phones in class, but I do not think it is the state’s job to dictate how my children spend their time between classes and during lunch. Also, if this state is bound and determined to do NOTHING to protect my children from gun violence, then my children NEED to be able to access their phones if there is a threat at their school.” — Jenny, Murray

“No. My daughters were immediately concerned about safety concerns: ‘What if there’s a shooting?’ ‘What if I need you to pick me up and find you [among] hundreds of students and parents?’ This is especially an issue for us because of the extremely poor road planning surrounding Cyprus high. Our school already has phone bans during class. There are so many other issues that need more attention in our school — attendance, vaping on the buses, the constant fire drills due to new building issues. I think bell-to-bell is excessive and a waste of resources and energy it would take to enforce it!” — Emmalee, Magna

“I think that schools and teachers should make that call, not politicians. The schools my children attend have good cellphone policies in place. I want my children to be able to contact me in emergency situations. This should not be a one-size-fits-all situation.” — Michelle, Syracuse

I wanted to hear from students, as well, so I went to the Highland Rambler. Bente Tedrow — a junior at Highland High School in Salt Lake City — shared her perspective in an op-ed.

“As many are beginning to realize, the digital age is having more of an impact on our generation than could have been anticipated. With increased phone use and increased rates of mental illness, educators are rightfully worried. But banning cellphones is not the right answer,” she writes. “I’ve seen drastic improvements in school due to the current bill that’s in place, with less distraction and more respect towards phone policies. Classes feel more focused, and phone use is directly tied to academics. The current practice of banning phones in class, rather than a bell-to-bell ban, is the best way to go forward.”

Read more about how Bente thinks cellphone bans impact mental health, safety, school work and more.

And tell me what you think: Are there potential solutions that take both fears about safety and concerns about distraction into consideration? I want to hear your ideas.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

As someone who fled Venezuela, I am not celebrating war. I am celebrating the possibility of freedom.

“Venezuelans are not celebrating war; we are celebrating the possibility of freedom,” writes Gabrielle Pacheco, a Salt Lake Community College student who fled to the United States in 2018. “We want a country with economic opportunity, freedom of expression, a stable currency and dignity for its people — especially the elderly and the poor. We want a future where Venezuelans can prosper at home instead of fleeing abroad. If rebuilding Venezuela requires international cooperation, including renewed U.S. participation in our energy sector, then it is a price worth paying.” Read more.

Weber State’s presidential search is an opportunity to correct and recommit to the First Amendment

“With the selection of a new president, Weber State can show how a weakness can become a strength; to not only follow Utah law and UBHE’s requirements with respect to institutional neutrality, but as a top-down matter, create an environment in which free expression is culturally encouraged and protected,” writes Eric Smith, a professor at Weber State University. “To meet this aim, the presidential search committee should scrutinize each candidate’s record on the question of protecting speech. Direct questions regarding each candidate’s commitment to and plans for protecting speech should be posed in the interview process.” Read more.

Not all books are created equal. Utah schools should curate what they endorse.

“What worries me most about the current debate is not that some books are removed, but that we have lost the language to talk about why books matter at all,” writes Miriam Packard. “When every book is treated as equally valuable — or equally dangerous — we abandon the harder work of evaluation. A healthy education system should be confident enough to say two things at once: that banning ideas is wrong, and that discernment is necessary; that stories can change lives, and that not every story deserves institutional endorsement; that freedom of thought flourishes best not in the absence of guidance, but in the presence of thoughtful, principled care.” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

What are the challenges and opportunities artificial intelligence — or AI — presents in your life and community? Let me know what you think.

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.