Why aren't we as teachers taking a harder stance on cell phone use? Where is the legislation?

Over the past few years I've watched with bated breath as several bills focused on banning cell phone use in school have died in the water. I've worked at a school who took a hard stance on phones and a school where the policy is basically non-existant. The difference in student achievement and engagement is obvious, as I'm sure we are all well aware.

As a young teacher, I am absolutely guilty of not fighting the battle with cell phones. It is excruciatingly difficult. But as a young person myself, I am hyper aware of the effects cell phone addiction has on your life, especially in your formative years. So many of my students would be so much more engaged if they were capable of removing themselves from their devices. And I say capable because it's not a "want to", it's an "able to". Kids. Are. Addicted.

What can we as teachers be doing to take a harder stance on this? I really want to see legislation around this. The science is there- we can see how harmful phones are for our students.

For those of you who are against an all out ban of cell phones, why? I for one want cell phones to be all out banned in schools. Kids don't need them. They should be heavily restricted, legally.

And please, constructive additions only. I know we are all tired and already have so many battles to fight. But if complete morons can make legislation that's obviously unhelpful and ridiculous regarding education, why can't we push to get something done that would actually help teachers and students?

Submitted February 06, 2022 at 07:49PM by buttproffessor https://ift.tt/scobl70