Cell phones have no place in the classroom or during school. Students already spend enough time on them outside of school, they do not need to be using them during school hours too. Kearney High School must adopt a stricter cell phone policy that will not allow students to access their phones during school hours. The current cell phone policy at Kearney High school allows students to have their phones at school. Students may use their cell phones during passing periods and at lunch. It is up to the students to keep their phones turned off and put away during class. Teachers may ask students to use their phones during certain class activities. There is also nothing in this part of the website that states what will happen if a student is caught with a cell phone (Source).

Suicide rates among young people are climbing. It is no surprise to anyone that people in general and especially teenagers may resort to suicide due to bullying. Surprisingly, however, a 2018 study conducted on Korean teenagers found that bullying and “cyber addiction” were both factors that contributed to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in teenagers. “Cyber addiction” in this case means an addiction to one’s cell phone or other technology such as a tablet or computer. This study found that bullying, suicidal thoughts and actions, and technology usage were all affecting each other greatly. All three were contributing to each other in different ways. Students used technology to bully. Bullied students were more likely to use technology excessively. Students who were addicted to technology exhibited higher instances of suicidal thoughts and actions. Students who were bullied exhibited higher instances of suicidal thoughts and actions (Source at bottom of page). Frankly, it’s a mess.

Now, it is impossible for a school cell phone policy to stop bullying and cyber addiction, let alone stop suicidal thoughts and actions among teenagers. That is ridiculous. However, a stricter cell phone policy can slice out the technology issue and it’s effects during school hours. Plus, it can eliminate the distraction of cell phones during a time that students should be focused on learning and face – to – face interactions.

American public schools are already beginning to implement stricter policies surrounding cell phones and other technology. A school in Kentucky, for example, has their cell phone policy clearly laid out on the website. At this school, students may not have any type of “telecommunication device” (cell phone, tablet, computer, iPod touch, et cetera) on the school bus to or from school, during school hours, or during school activities. The school then has varying levels of consequence, depending on the level of offense. The first offense results in a written warning and the item being confiscated for the remainder of the day. The consequences get more severe, up to a fifth offense. A fifth offense results in the item being taken away for the remainder of the school year. If there are less than eight weeks left in the school year, the district will hold the item for eight weeks total and the student may get their phone back from the district during summer vacation. The school website explains how a parent may get in touch with their student in the event that is necessary. It also explains that students may use school approved or provided technology when allowed (Source). Kearney High School should implement a similar policy.

Children are malleable and impressionable. They need to be protected, even if it’s from something they enjoy. The Kearney School Board and Kearney High School must work to enact a strict cell phone policy that will protect students from the effects of cell phone and technology addiction.

Sohn, M., Oh, H., Lee, S.-K., & Potenza, M. N. (2018). Suicidal Ideation and Related Factors among Korean High School Students: A Focus on Cyber Addiction and School Bullying. Journal of School Nursing, 34(4), 310–318. Retrieved from https://unk.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1185140&site=eds-live

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