The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
Today’s question:
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has signed an executive order calling for the establishment of “cellphone-free education” in public schools in an effort to fight back against what he describes as an “alarming mental health crisis and chronic health conditions affecting adolescents,” according to Fox News.
The measure, which was signed by Youngkin on Tuesday, orders state agencies and its Department of Education to come up with new guidelines that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Florida, Indiana and Ohio also have “phone-free schools” legislation.
QUESTION: Do you think California should also ban cell phones in schools?
Talk about it.
Absolutely! We didn’t buy our kids cell phones. One of the wisest parental decisions we’ve ever made.
When I was a kid, smoking was banned in school. But we still smoked, and if we got caught, we were dealt with by the school, not by the state. Too much government in our lives, placing so many restrictions, is never a good idea. The negative consequences when the state is granted more power will only result in corruption and abuse of power. The greatest protection of liberty is a limited form of government. If the schools want to place restrictions on cell phone use, then let them deal with it, but the state should stay out of it.
At the least, as the students come into classroom, the phones are collected by the teacher, then returned to students at the end of class.
Roz, that’s done by some of the teachers at Northgate, if not all. I think it’s a great idea!
Johnathan Haidt has done a fair amount of research into this, and the outcome seems to be universally positive. Most parents support it, but can’t do it individually due to a kind of prisoner dilemma: If my kid doesn’t have a phone, and the others do, my kid will be left behind or bullied. It’s a problem of collective action that really has to be imposed, as much as I dislike government imposing things.
It would probably be best to do it district by district, allowing the parents to weigh in and vote on it. But I strongly strongly support it. Kids consistently prove to be happier and more social when phones are removed.
Yes, phones should be banned during class. They should be collected during school. Kids are there to learn not text their friends or watch videos on their phones while the teacher is trying to teach them.
Yes ….. kids, adults, everybody spends too much time on cellphones…. probably including myself…. if that absolutely can’t be accomplished – teachers / administrators should collect them in one of those cellphone safes at the beginning of school.
Yes and no, including maybe. In this day and age of school shootings, I would say no, let the kids have their phones. On the fact that they can be misused during class, I would say yes, ban them. Which brings us to maybe. As in, I’m not sure either way. I think I would prefer to lean towards NO, let them keep them.
yes….we lived our entire life’s without them so why do we need them now…other than co-dependence and entertainment?
Nope. Just ban their use during classes. If there’s an emergency students can be reached by calling the school. Teachers! Take charge of your classrooms. Show ’em who’s boss.
Yes, and furthermore, that cell tower close to Diablo View Middle School should be taken down. Children are more susceptible to electro magnetic radiation and the safety of 5G has not been concluded by any studies. Cell phones up to a developing brain is hazardous to health and reproductive system if carried close by. This is a good documentary about 5G-Friend or Foe?
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https://youtu.be/AA9zJKc3o88
Mr.mayor how come the join the discussion numbers don’t match the comments numbers like it used to?
yes and out in public, unless it;s urgent. A fool and his phone causes accidents and disturbances for others.
It also causes health issues and saggy chins.
Block cell reception in the class. Make a Faraday cage out of the room. As soon as they step out they can get internet access again
One thing to consider is for kids to be able to get in touch with parents or call 911 in case of emergency. Back in the old days, there was usually a phone booth nearby, but those don’t exist any longer. However, it’s a good idea for phones to be collected by teachers during class.
I almost didn’t see this post! Teacher tried to take my phone!
Olympic High School already has a system in place. When the student arrives, they put their cell phones on airplane mode and then they put it in a pouch that can only be opened by a magnetic device. The devices are in each classroom so if there is an emergency the students can get their cell phone out and use it. At the end of the day as they are leaving, they walk by of main office and unlock the pouch take out the cell phone and turn the pouch back in. I think all schools should use this cell phone policy.
Here’s a question, should kids under 18 have unsupervised 24/7 access to social media?
YES! YES YES
It’s not like it matters. 99% of their classes are done using a computer. The schools don’t block social media sites on their networks. They turn in their phones and stare at another screen. Big waste of time unless you are removing all screens from the classroom or putting actual effort into blocking their access to stuff.