Gov Stitt Wants Your Suggestions For Phone-Free Schools in OK

Phone-free schools: A risky move for student safety?

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Governor Kevin Stitt recently introduced the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge for the state's schools.

The Challenge is meant to encourage students, teachers, and school leaders across the state to come up with ways to manage cell phone use in schools.

The goal? To find solutions that reduce :
✔️distractions,
✔️bullying,
✔️and learning problems caused by phones.

Why other states are considering banning phones in schools

One source says banning phones from the classrooms has its pros and cons:

Parents and principals who favor banning cell phones in classrooms argue they distract students and diminish focus, can provide students access to questionable content, increase cyberbullying and other disciplinary issues, create physical and mental health issues, encourage cheating and potentially expose children to sexual predators.

This should not minimize the potential benefits of allowing cell phones in classrooms. They offer a measure of safety for children, can be used by students for research and learning, expose students to academic information and new learning formats and offer individualized learning platforms to students.

Why did the Governor start this challenge?

Governor Stitt said that while phones can be useful, they often cause issues in the classroom.

Instead of creating strict rules from the government, he believes that students and teachers can come up with creative solutions on their own. That’s why he launched this challenge.

Send your ideas now

The challenge starts now, and participants have until November 29 to send their ideas to the Governor’s Office.

These ideas will be reviewed by Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders and Chief Advisor Ellen Buettner. They will put together a report with the best practices for phone-free schools.

Who benefits from phone-free classrooms?

✔️Students: They will have fewer distractions in class, leading to better focus and learning. The plan could also improve mental health by reducing the stress and anxiety linked to phone use, including cyberbullying and social media pressures.

✔️Teachers: With less phone use in classrooms, teachers may find it easier to manage students' attention, making it simpler to keep lessons on track and improving overall class participation.

✔️Parents: They could see improvements in their children's academic performance and mental well-being due to the reduced distractions and negative impacts of constant phone use.

✔️Schools: School environments might become more focused and productive, with fewer issues related to phone-related disruptions or bullying.

✔️Mental health professionals: By reducing the negative effects of phone addiction, the plan could lead to fewer mental health issues among students, making it easier for professionals to support student well-being.

What are some concerns people might have about going phone-free?

⚠️Resistance from students: Some students may not like the idea of giving up their phones, especially if they rely on them for socializing or as a way to stay connected with family during the day.

⚠️Enforcement challenges: Schools might struggle to enforce phone-free policies consistently, especially without a strict mandate. Teachers could end up spending more time trying to manage phone use rather than focusing on teaching.

⚠️Emergency concerns: Parents might worry that without phones, students won’t be able to quickly reach them during an emergency.

⚠️Loss of learning tools: Phones can be useful for educational purposes, like research or learning apps. Completely banning or limiting them could reduce access to these resources.

⚠️Impact on mental health: While the plan aims to improve mental health, students who rely on their phones for social interaction or anxiety relief might experience negative feelings if their access is restricted.

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