Anchor Bay Schools has announced a big change coming this fall—a ban on cell phones for all students during the school day.
The district’s “Away-for-the-Day” policy will have students place their device, including phones, personal laptops, smartwatches, earbuds and headphones, into their locker or cubby until the end of the day.
The rule applies to all students, though students with documented disabilities who need a device will be allowed an exemption.
The district says the policy is meant to “minimize distractions in the classroom, encourage face-to-face interactions and enhance overall student engagement in learning.”
Concern is growing around cell phone use in the classroom. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer even made a point of addressing it in her State of the State speech earlier this year.
Whitmer pointed out growing data suggesting that cell phone use is making it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn. About 95% of children have access to a smartphone and half say they are online “almost constantly” she said.
“We’ve seen encouraging data about how commonsense restrictions on phone-use during class lead to more learning and less bullying,” Whitmer said in her speech. “Kids listen, raise their hands and make more friends.”
“Three-quarters say they feel happy or peaceful without their phone,” Whitmer added. “That’s what school should be about.”
District’s stated benefits for the cell-phone ban policy
The district says that banning cell phone use during the day will create a “more focused and interactive educational environment.”
The district lists the following benefits as reasons for the change:
- Improved academic performance.
- Enhanced social skills and face-to-face interaction.
- Reduced cyberbullying and social pressure.
- Better mental health and reduced anxiety.
- Encouraging responsibility and time management.
- Less classroom disruption.
- Promoting physical activity and engagement in social life.
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