Opinion: All Colorado school districts should ban cell phones during the school day

Opinion: All Colorado school districts should ban cell phones during the school day


It is hard to believe that the iPhone debuted 17 years ago, on June 29, 2007, launching the modern smartphone era that now includes virtually every K-12 student.

The Washington Post reported that in 2009-2010, before cellphones became ubiquitous, schools generally barred their use. A national survey that year found that 91% of all schools prohibited nonacademic use of cellphones during school hours.

Things sure have changed in the last 14 years. According to a 2023 Common Sense Media study, some 97% of 11- to 17-year-olds now use their phones primarily for personal reasons during the school day.

In today’s hyper-connected world, the cellphone has become an essential part of daily life. It has revolutionized how we communicate, access information and entertain ourselves.

However, their ubiquity presents unique challenges, particularly in educational settings like high schools. Though cellphones offer numerous benefits, their presence during school hours can harm the educational environment.

All Colorado school districts should adopt a no-phone policy use during the school day.

What is the case against mobile phones in school?

They are a major distraction during the school day.

The debate over whether cellphones should be banned from public high schools during school hours has been intensifying over the past few years. Critics argue that cellphones are a major disruption for learning, that they reduce student socialization, they are catalysts for cyberbullying and hindrances to academic performance.

It’s time to standardize protocols in all Colorado school districts for when students can use their cellphones during the school day.

Numerous studies have shown that multitasking with digital devices impairs attention and learning. Students who frequently check their phones during class are less likely to retain information, participate in discussions and complete assignments.



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