ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – School districts across the country are grappling with the issue of students having cell phones in the classroom.
A Jefferson Middle School parent is concerned about her student having to put her phone in a lock box during class time, but Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) said the devices interfere with the learning process and are harmful to the student’s mental health.
“That is really where the school and I really diverge in what is best for the students,” said Kate Williams, a parent of an APS student.
Are cell phones a distraction or a lifeline?
For one parent, Kate Williams, the fears of violent threats at schools nationwide have pushed her to seek change in her child’s school’s cell phone policy, which she feels would sever the connection with her child should the worst happen.
“Parents these days just kind of walk around, and we can’t think about it too much. The best that we can do is just hope and pray that our school is not going to become the next hashtag,” said Williams.
Jefferson Middle School enforces a district policy of prohibiting the use of cell phones during instructional time, electing to have students place their phones in lock boxes.
In response, APS references a recent study showing how cell phone bans will help mitigate mental health concerns in youth and distractions during academic instruction.
The school’s principal, in emails to Williams, said the use of cell phones in emergency situations can also interfere with public safety efforts.
“Those are valid concerns, but there’s plenty of evidence on the other side that says cell phones are able to keep kids calm. They’re able to alert law enforcement of where they are,” said Williams.
APS said Jefferson isn’t the only school to implement this new change, as other schools in the district have followed suit and have seen success.
However, Williams’ thoughts are on the children who have experienced school threats and the messages they send to parents.
“When I think about those moments when those children were contending with the unimaginable, they had that lifeline,” said Williams.
The principal told Williams in an email the school is open to revisiting and refining the cell phone policy for the next school year.
APS said there are exceptions to the policy, such as when a student or a family member has a special medical circumstance, or when a student is using the device for educational or instructional purposes with the teacher’s permission and supervision.
