Grappling with school cellphones

As schools in L.A. County push to ban cell phones, let’s be very clear: These same schools encouraged students and families to rely on mobile phones during the COVID pandemic. They need to acknowledge their role in normalizing cell phone use before enforcing bans.

Take Las Virgenes Unified School District, for example. During COVID (2021-2023), LVUSD heavily relied on mobile technology to manage school operations. They used the Las Virgenes school district app, available on mobile phones, to handle remote attendance, distribute health updates, and keep students and families connected to the school. Phones became a crucial part of daily school life, as students were expected to use mobile devices to stay engaged during remote learning .

Similarly, Los Angeles Unified School District required students to use mobile apps to track attendance and complete daily health check-ins. These apps were essential for monitoring student participation and well-being during remote instruction. LAUSD provided students with hotspots and mobile devices, positioning phones as key tools for education during the pandemic .

Now, these districts are pushing cell phone bans, claiming phones are distractions. But the reality is, they were the ones who encouraged this dependence on mobile phones in the first place.

There’s clear hypocrisy, and schools need to take responsibility for creating the environment they’re now trying to change.

What’s the solution?

Stop the blame game. Schools need to stop blaming kids for using phones, stop blaming teachers for enforcement issues, and stop blaming parents for not controlling phone use.

Develop balanced policies. Rather than outright bans, schools should create thoughtful policies that manage phone use effectively. Phones should be restricted where necessary but can still be tools for learning and communication when used properly.

Collaborate for solutions. Engage students, parents and teachers in creating these policies. Involving everyone will create more buy-in and cooperation, leading to policies that make sense and are easier to enforce.

Teach responsible use. Finally, let’s focus on education, not punishment. Schools should teach students how to use mobile technology responsibly, just as they were taught to use it for learning during the pandemic.

Blaming and banning alone isn’t the answer. Real solutions start with acknowledgment, understanding, and a commitment to educating students about responsible phone use.

Kelley Smith
Westlake Village