New 'no phone' policy has come to Airport

by Reagan S.

In today's technology driven society, many organizations are finding themselves implementing policy changes to accommodate our ever changing way of life. 

The State Board of Education is getting ready to ban all phones in South Carolina schools. This new policy requires students to keep their phones away in a locker or bookbag for the entire day, even between classes. The ban includes smart watches, tablets, and gaming devices requiring them to be powered off and put away. The ban is a result of discipline and mental health issues due to cell phone usage.

The states of Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Florida have already banned the use of cell phones in classrooms, and they are ranked higher than South Carolina in education. 

Once the law is in place, schools are required to enforce the no phone rule by January 2025 in order to keep receiving state funding. Teachers at Airport High School have begun to enforce this policy change to give their students an opportunity to adjust before the mandate takes place. 

Exceptions will be allowed for students with IEPs and medical plans if the device is needed for educational or medical purposes, as well as students who volunteer as firefighters and other emergency organizations with the permission from their district superintendent.

The purpose of this policy is to create a phone-free school environment that has a positive learning experience. By prohibiting the use of cell phones, it will create an environment that helps students engage and focus on what they are learning. 

Sophomore student, Mariah F., shared a few of her opinions regarding the new policy. “I agree with this new policy to a certain extent. I think that if the students aren't doing anything, and are done with their work, they should be able to get on their phones.” Airport High School teachers have already started enforcing this policy, as said before, and they are off to a good start. “I wish that students could keep them away on their own, however I felt that was the difficulty and that with the law, it's over and beyond us now. So, I think it's a good idea but it's really just because we weren't able to manage it and handle it on our own,” states Mrs. Mooneyham, a teacher at Airport High School. Even though it may take some adjusting, it will lead to less distractions.

Statistically, phones have affected students' learning. “Kids who spend hours on smartphones report higher levels of anxiety, depression and aggression” states Paige MacPherson in her article ‘Smartphones hurt student learning in the classroom’. While opinions vary on this topic, South Carolina is trying to positively influence their student’s success.