HORRY COUNTY, S.C.— The South Carolina Department of Education is working on a policy that will soon make it illegal to use cell phones and other personal electronics in school. This could happen as early as the next school year.
The ban is linked to something that needs to happen for the school systems to get state money. A representative from the South Carolina Department of Education said that the ban comes after similar rules worked for some kids and teachers in South Carolina and across the U.S.
At the end of May, the state director of schools sent all certified teachers a short survey about cell phone use in schools. It was filled out by 10,000 teachers.
83% of high school teachers said they think their students’ phones distract them every day in class. The poll also found that 92% of teachers agree with a policy that limits cell phone use and 55% agree with a full ban during the school day.
Some parents in Horry County think that a cell phone ban would make school better for the kids.
“It is a big distraction.” This is what I think will happen: learning will go down. Daniel Tarinelli said, “I think it’s great to be out in the world and not on your phone.” “Children in elementary school, middle school, and high school should work on their minds.” I believe there are many things to learn that don’t need a cell phone.
A person from the Department of Education said that one of its goals is to deal with safety issues in and out of schools.
If a policy on cell phones is passed, the department would tell all South Carolina schools that they need to limit or ban cell phones by January 2025 to get state money.
Horry County Schools is waiting to hear what the Department of Education says at its meeting next month. Some parents believe that schools should deal with other problems before cell phones until then.
Heather Thomas said, “I don’t like the cell phone ban.” “They could talk about a cell phone ban if they want to find a way to stop guns and other weapons from getting into school.”
The school system in Georgetown County is going to start what it calls “electronic communication device procedures” at the start of this school year. This means that students will not be able to bring their own devices into the classroom.
