Georgia School Shooting Raises Concerns Over Classroom Cellphone Bans

In the wake of a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where four people were killed and nine injured, the debate surrounding cellphone usage in schools has intensified. As students huddled in fear, many reached out to their parents with what could have been their final messages, expressing love and regret.

This heart-wrenching situation shines a light on the potential drawbacks of recent moves by various states and school districts to restrict cellphone access in educational settings. Proponents of these bans argue that excessive screen time can negatively impact children’s mental health and distract from learning. However, critics contend that these restrictions deprive parents of a crucial means of communication with their children, especially during emergencies like school shootings.

Keri Rodrigues, the president of the National Parents Union, emphasized the disconnect between schools and families during crises. “The fact of the matter is parents and families cannot rely on schools to effectively communicate with us in times of emergency,” she said. “There’s a whole host of reasons why parents are deeply concerned about whether or not they’re going to get timely information about whether or not their kids are safe.”

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 77% of schools in the U.S. have policies banning cellphone use for non-academic purposes. However, this statistic can be misleading, as it does not account for the frequency of these bans being enforced or the compliance from students.

Governors from both sides of the political spectrum have advocated for these restrictions. In Arkansas, Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders initiated a grant program for schools to purchase pouches that secure students’ phones during the day. Meanwhile, California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has called on school districts to enforce cellphone limitations and is considering legislation to mandate such measures.

Governor Newsom expressed concerns during a recent statement, saying, “I’d hate to see another school shooting be the reason that we bring TVs into the classroom and then disrupt our children’s education. Because, in essence, that’s what a cellphone is equivalent to — bringing a TV into the classroom and disrupting the ability to get quality academic time.”

Yet, for students caught in the harrowing situation at Apalachee High School, access to their phones proved essential for communication during a crisis. Junior Julie Sandoval sent a poignant text to her mother, conveying her love and apologies amidst the chaos. Another student urgently communicated the dire situation to their parent, shouting, “They’re shooting up the school!”

Advocates for cellphone restrictions caution that allowing phones during emergencies could pose additional risks. Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, highlighted the importance of student safety over the ability to communicate during a shooting. “If my child was on the phone with me and they missed guidance from the teacher because they were distracted by their phone and they weren’t safe, that’s a worse scenario in my mind,” she stated.

To address parental worries while maintaining student safety, schools like Grand Island Senior High in Nebraska adopted a cellphone policy that requires devices to be silenced and kept out of sight during school hours. Former principal Jeff Gilbertson noted that parents often express anxiety over what would happen if their children needed to use their phones during a crisis. The school provides lockdown training to educate students about the dangers of using phones during emergencies.

Previous school shootings have showcased the potential of cellphones to alert authorities or keep parents informed. During the 2022 Uvalde shooting, a student made desperate 911 calls for help, while the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018 saw students posting distressing videos and informing their parents of the unfolding tragedy.

Brandi Scire’s experience during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting influenced her decision to get her daughter a cellphone. With both her children in schools nearby during that incident, Scire prioritized communication and safety. Despite current policies in Broward County schools that mandate phones be stored away, she advises her daughter to keep her phone accessible.

“It’s not about me texting my daughter during regular school or anything like that,” Scire explained. “It’s a safety measure, and I’m sorry, I cannot let that go.”

The discussion surrounding cellphone bans in schools remains complex, intertwining concerns over educational focus, student safety, and parental communication during emergencies.

Source: AP News