Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and state Superintendent Megan Degenfelder recently wrote a joint letter to Wyoming superintendents, school board members, teachers and building administrators urging them to establish and enforce cell phone polilcies.

While the letter does not contain the phrase "cell phone ban'," it does say Unchecked cell phone usage poses a significant threat to both the educational experience and the mental well-being of our students. Moreover, there is a concerning link between cell phone and social media usage and rising mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and even suicide attempts among students. It is often the tool of choice in student bullying and harassment incidents."

You can read the letter here.

School cellphone bans have been a growing trend across the country and even around the world. Florida instituted a statewide school cell phone ban in 2023. A law that went into effect recently in Ohio doesn't ban the phones, but does direct all of the state's school districts to come up with a policy on in school.

The California Legislature in August passed a law requiring schools to enact restrictions on cell phones by July 1, 2026.

Several nations have school cell phone bans in place, including Israel, Great Britain, Russia and several others.

Arguments Against Banning Cell Phones In School

But not everyone agrees that the phones should be banned in school.

For one thing, they allow parents to stay in touch with their kids when they are in school Some argue that decisions on smartphones should be left up to parents, not schools. Is this a parental rights issue? Some would say that it is

Smartphones can also provide students with instant information at their fingertips, ranging from dictionaries to maps to the ability to 'Google" information. Another argument against banning the phones is that if the idea of education is to prepare young people for the real world, familiarity with cellphone technology is part of that larger issue.

So what do you think? Take our poll and give us your opinion!

 

These Are the 10 Snobbiest Places in Wyoming for 2024

Gallery Credit: DJ Nyke