As we walk through the hallways, there are no phones in sight, but is this a good thing? Students used their phones as tools, but Texas House Bill 1481 did not take this into consideration.
Students and parents are concerned about a lack of communication during emergencies. The new law also prohibits communication throughout the school day about simple things like lunch, after-school pick up, or things forgotten at home. Parents have no way to reach their children throughout the school day, which is a point for concern.
The phone ban does have some pros, such as eliminating one of the seemingly most common distractions–cheating–as well as encouraging more social interaction. Although it may have benefits, helping prevent some negative uses does not make it worth prohibiting completely all the positive uses of cellphones.
Courses like digital media, used their phones to film and interview during school hours. Now, without cellphones, the course requires funding to purchase cameras and time to teach students how to use them. Art classes used their phones for reference photos for projects, which for VASE competition is a requirement. Band just got an app to look at drills for halftime, but now the app prohibits learning new sets until after-school practice.
Journalism used their phones for interviews and quick reference. The ban on cellphones makes staff members have to go seek out students in class for even a simple question, where before it took one text. English language learners often used phones for translation and clarification as well.
While the state provided no additional funding to help with the cellphone ban, it did expect school districts to figure it out on their own.
Individual students, on the other hand, have regressed to buying digital cameras to record their school memories and using wired headphones again. The days of simply scanning a QR code are gone.
Prohibiting our cellphones in school, takes a valuable tool away from our high school experience while also forcing school districts to spend more money or go without.
Without usage cellphones, it’s an overall inconveniences for both students and parents alike.
