(Photo illustration/MetroCreative)

A few weeks ago, the board of the second largest school district in the country, the Los Angeles Unified School District, voted to ban students from using cell phones during the school day. A few days later, the principal of the largest school district, New York City Public Schools, also announced that he would implement a cell phone ban. When asked about the ban by local reporters from WNYW, Principal David Banks was quoted as saying: “They’re not just a distraction; kids today are completely addicted to cell phones.”

The policies these school districts are implementing will completely strip students of access to their phones and prohibit them from accessing social media platforms during the school day. The methods have yet to be determined, but could include the use of magnetic bags, phone lockers, or technological measures. Bags like the Yondr bag sold by overyondr.com allow a student to keep their phone on them, but render it inoperable until the bag is opened at the end of the day. Some readers may have had experience with these bags before, as they are increasingly being used at concert venues.

This makes you wonder what the problem is with students using their cell phones during school hours. And what are the school districts in the MOV doing about it?

Research is piling up overwhelming evidence that students are accessing and texting social media throughout the school day regardless of guidelines, and this use is not for educational purposes. This is extremely harmful to students. Essentially, it acts like a mental parasite, stealing their attention and ability to learn. In addition, studies have confirmed that even when students are not using their phone, they are distracted by notifications and are also easily distracted by other people’s phone usage. Heavy phone users have significantly lower grade point averages than light users. And as I’ve pointed out many times in previous articles, teen social media use is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and risk of self-harm. This is so serious that the Surgeon General has called for a warning label to be placed on all social media platforms!

The Wood County School District has a clearly worded cell phone policy that includes responses to violations of the policy. For middle and high school, the policy states that personal communication devices (PCDs) “… may only be used in classrooms for educational purposes and only with the approval of the school principal and/or class teacher. The use of PCD is strictly prohibited in locker rooms, shower rooms, bathrooms and any other areas of the school where students are or may be undressed (e.g. student changing rooms for a school play).” Violations can range from a verbal warning to suspension and even expulsion. This approach is typical in our area. While it is restrictive and attempts to address the problem, it is almost impossible to enforce.

When speaking to teachers, most say they are constantly redirecting students and that verbal warnings are like playing whack-a-mole. One teacher who has banned cell phone use during class said her high school students harass her incessantly to gain access to their phones. This is a losing battle for teachers and also for education as a whole.

Many students I have spoken to are afraid to use the toilets or changing rooms because, despite the regulations, mobile phones are used to take pictures for online bullying and harassment. This is a common phenomenon in our schools. It is obvious that students are not comfortable with the use of mobile phones in school and that teachers are not able to manage their classes effectively because of it. We need stricter regulations in our schools.

School districts that have already imposed cell phone bans are seeing hopeful signs that they have made the right decision.

Studies show that students in schools where cell phones are banned have fewer visits to psychologists, experience fewer incidents of bullying, and get better grades overall. There is less social drama in these schools and personal interactions with students are better. Teachers say the cafeteria is noisier, but they see that as a good sign. These results are most evident in schools in lower socioeconomic areas.

“What if my child needs to contact me?” Some parents may be wondering. How did this work in 1990? The school office would call the parent or the student would use the office phone. All schools today still have an office with a secretary, so the problem was solved. We must remember that schools ran smoothly even before the internet and cell phones. Children were dropped off and picked up just as well then as they are today. If plans change, call the school office instead of texting your child. It’s like breaking any habit – it will be awful at first. But then the benefits of being free of that habit will become apparent.

There is a growing movement to ban cell phones and prevent access to social media in schools. The results of such measures show positive effects on students’ mental health and academic performance. Conversely, research consistently shows that constant cell phone use and social media use has a detrimental effect on children’s mental health and social relationships. This is especially true for children under 16. With that in mind, the best way we can help our children succeed is to create boundaries and restrictions for healthy development.

I’ll close with a big request. If you think a cell phone ban would be beneficial for your child’s school, please contact your school board and let them know. Tell them you want a stricter policy that will help make your child’s entire school more functional and effective. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist who has written extensively about the effects of cell phones on children, considers cell phones in school a public health emergency because they hinder learning and stunt social development. Call your school board. Encourage them to take the necessary steps to put an end to this madness.

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Patrick Ward, Ph.D., is a marriage and family therapist in Parkersburg.