Assistant Principal Matt Madigan expressed support for the ban. “Phones should be banned. Phones are a distraction that are not being used for educational purposes,” he said.  

School districts argue that cellphones are addictive, negatively impacting student brain development. 

Caroline Rioux, a health and physical education teacher, said, “It’s harmful for kids to be on their phones during school because it increases brain fog and makes it hard to learn, and studies show it’s linked to dementia. It’s causing students to be nearsighted and have physiological issues.” 

Rebecca DelPrince, a school psychologist, said that phone use has gotten worse over the years. “The phones are a distraction. They impact learning negatively because it’s hard to get back to learning once the students get on their phones.” 

One of the primary drivers for the state legislator to encourage phone bans is the increasing problem of cyberbullying in society. Even some students agree that phones should not be allowed in school. 

Colby Steber an 11^th grader says, “there are a lot of free websites that kids access that shouldn’t be accessed.” 

Not everyone agrees that phones should be banned all the time, however. Arguments for phone use in school include being able to communicate with parents during emergencies or to arrange rides, as well as having access to technology to aid with class work. 

Maxwell Macavoy, a 9^th grader, said he thinks phone use in school is fine unless it’s during a test.  

Consumer science teacher Lewann Alexander said, “If students don’t charge their computers, phones can be useful to search for the information they need. Social media should be blocked while in school to help students.”  

Shelby Proctor, a paraprofessional, said “It’s all right to be on the phone when it’s not during instructional time. But being on it when you’re being taught shouldn’t be allowed.”