Before the School year started, the Hart District passed new policies in regard to cell phone use. Which were not inherently harsh, only advocating for erasure of phone use in a classroom setting. However, the Hart District wants more control of students, and is considering a total ban of cell phones in high schools. This authoritarian bill threatens parents’ means of connecting with students, and overall, is just unnecessary.
Don’t get me wrong, Understandably, students should use class time to their advantage, and shouldn’t be engaged with their phones entirely. However, many students are required to give up their phones involuntarily. This makes students uncomfortable, especially with emergency situations from the past haunting us to this day. Students would like the option of notifying their loved ones in this scenario.
This also demonstrates the district’s lack of trust in the student body. The district clearly doesn’t think that the student body knows what’s best for themselves, and isn’t afraid to show it. The policy even prohibits smartwatches in classrooms. Which is inherently ridiculous. Not stopping there, the district prohibits all use of cell phones when inside the office. Which is concerning, students should retain the right to feel safe, whether outdoors, in class or in the office.
The story doesn’t end here however, Superintendent Kuhlman spoke in an interview with our friends at the Signal, and he reportedly commented that the district was eyeing a complete ban, but never got through due to the SARS-COVID19 global pandemic.
A complete phone ban would be absolutely unnecessary and seems like punishment to the student body. Common argument against phones in schools is that students need to interact at lunch and brunch. Some staff say that students don’t interact much at all during their breaks. The easiest way to put it is this simply isn’t true. The quad is incredibly lively and the areas surrounding it are brimming with smiles, laughter and conversation with friends. Overall, a complete phone ban at schools wouldn’t benefit students in any capacity.
