With the goal of promoting student engagement in the classroom, avoiding disruptions to safe and orderly school environments, and helping them make healthy choices about their learning and digital habits, the Wake County Board of Education discussed a preliminary plan on cell phone use.
In addition to your cell phone, the plan includes devices such as smartwatches and glasses, tablets, laptops, video game consoles, and other internet access devices (either cellular, wired, or wireless).
The submitted plan contains similar provisions set forth in the state Senate bill SB 55 which would ban cell phone use in North Carolina classrooms.
Uniform policy across the school district
The plan, “Use of Personal Wireless Communication Devices by Students, comes in response to concerns about distractions caused by cell phones in the classroom and seeks to establish a uniform policy across the school district.
Currently, each school in Wake County sets its own rules regarding mobile device use.
What does the digital device use authorization plan do?
The policy proposes that all elementary, middle, and high school students keep their phones away during the school day. These devices must be turned off, silenced, or in airplane mode between the morning and afternoon bells. Additionally, they may not display, use, or make them visible during this time period unless one of these exceptions applies:
a) Requirements of an individualized education program (IEP) or documented medical reasons.
b) Teachers' permission for educational purposes during instructional time. This is provided that teachers supervise students during such use and the use is consistent with the teacher's permission.
c) The student needs to use the device to communicate with parents/guardians or emergency services personnel.
Cell phone use on school buses
Their use is generally permitted before and after school, but their use may be regulated or prohibited on school buses when such devices interfere with the safe operation of the buses.
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Opinions of families, educators and students
An poll A survey conducted by the Wake County Public School System showed that educators and families, but not so much students, are in favor of implementing a cell phone restriction policy in school classrooms.
Cell phones are a distraction and a concern for families and educators.
• 81% of families said they miss class time due to cell phone use during class, while 85% said cell phones are a distraction during class.
• 88% of educators reported losing class time due to cell phone use during class, while 93% reported that cell phones are a distraction during class.
What do students say?
Distraction caused by cell phone use is less of a concern for students, but they do recognize the challenges.
• 38% of students reported missing instructional time due to cell phone use during class.
• Only 10% of them indicated that their phones are a distraction for themselves.
Increased concerns about cell phone use in high and middle schools
- Learning distraction 44.26%
- Use for inappropriate content 32.69%
- Use for social networking applications during class 32.90%
- Use for texting during class 26.21%
- Impact on socio-emotional/mental health 27.94%
- Bullying or other student conflicts 41.14%
What are the next steps?
The Wake County Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, April 22, to address revisions to the current plan framework. Then, on April 29, the plan will return to the Policy Committee for final details, before being read and voted on at the meeting on Tuesday, May 6.
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Legislative effort
A bill introduced Wednesday, February 5, in the state Senate would ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during classroom instruction.
The SB 55 project Student Use of Wireless Communication Devices, was approved by the state Senate and is now in the House of Representatives for approval.
Key points of SB 55
Definition of wireless devices
Includes cell phones, tablets, laptops, two-way radios, and gaming devices.
usage policy :
- Students are prohibited from using, displaying, or having these devices on during class time, with some exceptions.
- Exceptions include teacher authorization for educational purposes, emergencies, requirements of an individualized education program (IEP), or documented medical reasons.
Consequences for non-compliance
Each school will establish penalties, which may include confiscation of the device and disciplinary measures.
Monitoring and compliance
Schools must submit their policies to the Department of Public Instruction by September 1 and update them if there are any changes.
This department will report annually on schools' compliance.
The bill does not specify requirements for free time or where devices must be stored during class.
Date of implementation : It will begin to be applied in the 2025-2026 school year.
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