ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Parents in Ann Arbor are pushing for a district-wide ban on cell phones during school hours.
In an open letter to the Ann Arbor Board of Education, they’re asking for a district-wide first-bell-to-last-bell phone-free policy. The proposal calls for phones and smart devices to be off and secured throughout the entire school day.
Recommended Videos
The letter emphasizes that devices should not simply be stored in lockers or backpacks but must be completely inaccessible during school hours.
The letter cites several benefits of the ban, including improved academic performance due to reduced task-switching and less circumvention of rules.
They also point to fewer discipline referrals and fights, a decrease in cyberbullying and privacy violations, and better mental health outcomes, such as reduced anxiety and depression.
Addressing common concerns about phone access during emergencies, the letter explains that phones can sometimes reduce safety in crises. It notes that schools can provide phones in the main office for urgent communication needs.
More than 400 people have signed a petition pushing for Ann Arbor Public Schools to enact the first-bell-to-last-bell policy.