Don't allow your kids to bring their phones to school

As kids head back to school, many schools are banning phones in class. Legislation to ban phones in schools has been proposed or passed in many cities and states, with most schools already having policies prohibiting nonacademic phone use. Parents often question these policies as they want to be able to reach their kids in emergencies. Research suggests that phones should not be brought to school at all, as 97% of 11- to 17-year-olds use their phones during school time for an average of 43 minutes. Cell phone distractions are a major problem in classrooms, impacting students’ ability to learn. ACT scores have dropped to the lowest level in over 30 years, indicating that students in the smartphone era are not learning as much as their predecessors. It is also unreasonable to expect kids to fight the urge to check their phones, given their addictive features. Allowing kids to concentrate on what’s happening in front of them is an important skill to learn. Having phones in schools does not necessarily make kids safer but can be dangerously distracting. There are alternative options, such as using an old-fashioned flip phone for necessary communication. Ultimately, sending kids to school without smartphones can improve their focus on learning, social interaction, and overall well-being.