With the release of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation,” some schools responded by changing mobile device usage rules for the upcoming school year. Here in Iowa, some school districts have either completely banned the use of mobile devices or are considering changing the rules that are already set in place. The book mentions the rising level of mental health concerns amongst younger generations.
Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District has not banned mobile device or headphone use but has a few rules regarding such devices. Elementary students are allowed to bring phones to school but must leave them in backpacks during the day. The middle school requires phones be kept in lockers, but they can be checked between classes. High school students can carry phones and check them during passing periods and during lunch. Each school has different consequences for using cellphone during class time.
The district does not experience a lot of problems with mobile device usage. High school Associate Principal Brady Weber noted it’s rare that there is a problem with phone usage and when there is, they try to work with the student.
The school tries to use new and upcoming technology to its advantage rather than seeing it as a problem that needs to be dealt with.
“We had staff go to meetings about AI and how to use it as a tool not as an academic dishonesty,” said Weber. Students are able to use devices in classrooms when instructed to help with class work.
He noted that “there is a plethora of positive use” for technology in the classroom. He added that it keeps everyone connected and helps everyone learn and grow together.
With technology changing so quickly, the school manages as best as it can. Weber said that there would be open ears to discussion about creating new policies based on the devices that come out.
“Waverly Shell Rock has not made any recent changes to our current cellphone policies,” said Superintendent David Hill. “But we are always looking for ways to improve our policies and procedures for the benefit of student learning and mental health, so we could be open to discussion.”
At Hudson Community School District the board of education will have a meeting in the coming week to discuss cellphone policies.
“Whatever we do needs to be enforceable,” said Superintendent Tony Voss. “Currently, students in grades K-8 are not allowed to use their phones during the school day and such devices should be left in lockers. For high school students they can use devices during passing periods and mealtimes.
“Classrooms currently have designated areas for students to place their phones at,” he said. “There isn’t as much use with mobile devices in the classroom since the district gave out iPads to students to do class work on.”
The board will be open to discussion on the matter, Voss noted, and said it will make sure to get parents involved in the discussion, as well. There was an article passed around to the board about cellular usage. At this time there has not been a change in policy, but it will be a topic of discussion over the next couple of months.
If changes are made the earliest they would be put into effect could be in the spring semester.
When it comes to the Cedar Falls Community School District, there has been an increase in cellphone use. Janelle Darst, director of communications and community relations, said, “The district has focused on educating our students in responsible use and understanding the ramifications of poor decisions in using social media and cellphones.”
There has not been a discussion of possible bans or restrictions for the upcoming school year or future years, but “students should always conduct themselves as good digital citizens,” Darst said. They should follow the rules of respect yourself, protect yourself, respect others, protect others, respect intellectual property and protect intellectual property.
The Courier tried to reach out to other schools in the Cedar Valley but did not hear back.
Many schools have similar rules in place for phones and other mobile devices. Students in middle school should keep phones in lockers and on silent or powered off. High school students may have their phones with them in backpacks as long as they are silent or powered off, they can check them during passing periods, and some districts allow cellphone use during the lunch period. There may be instances where students are able to listen to music or use devices for classwork, but only if the teacher allows it.
If students are caught using devices when not permitted, they can receive a various level of consequences based on how often it happens. If it happens between one or two times the student’s device will be taken by an administrator and the student or parent/guardian will have to pick it up from the office. If there is more usage than two times, there could be detention time or in-school suspension may be possible.
It all depends on the schools’ policies and number of times the student is using their phone without permission on school grounds.
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