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Outcry Over Massachusetts High School's Cellphone Lock Policy
Newsweak ^ | 9-28-23 | Alice Gibbs

Posted on 09/29/2023 11:34:20 AM PDT by raccoonradio

A recent cellphone policy, introduced at a public high school in Massachusetts, has stirred up controversy, leading students to launch a petition in protest.

Partnering with a company called Yondr, the school initiated a program to curb cellphone use during school hours. Under this policy, students are provided with special pouches that lock away their phones for the duration of the school day, rendering them unusable until they leave the grounds.

But one student, here named Chris*, expressed his doubts about the new policy to Newsweek. "At first, my reaction was that I understood the spirit of what they were looking to achieve," Chris told Newsweek. But it wasn't long before he started to see flaws in the idea.

Planned to be introduced on October 30, the policy would mean that students must turn off their phones and place them in a Yondr pouch upon entering the school building. They then lock the pouch using a special magnet. Throughout the day, students carry their devices but cannot access them until the pouch is unlocked at the end of the school day, or when students leave the building for an early dismissal.

The concept of stricter cellphone restrictions in Massachusetts schools gained prominence in May 2023 during a meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley addressed members, saying, "I think we're at a time where we have to ask ourselves, 'what role does technology play in education?'"

(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: cellphones; students
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1 posted on 09/29/2023 11:34:20 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: raccoonradio; All

Smartphone addiction

Some uses are helpful to learning—looking up info, calculators, etc Social media however is all over the place. Texting, messageboards, youtube, etc.

The fine line between having your freedom and having it impact school students, or workers.

Need to do math? Get a calculator.

Emergency? Ask a teacher to use a phone or have parents call the school if there’s an emergency, speak to student.


2 posted on 09/29/2023 11:37:19 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: raccoonradio

Wow—how did I survive high school without a cell phone?


3 posted on 09/29/2023 11:38:12 AM PDT by VideoPaul
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To: raccoonradio

I’ve had serious conversations about this in the home schooling of my daughter.

It’s all about teaching healthy relationships - with not only people, but the material things in our lives.

What gets me is that students are sometimes required or asked to install apps on their phones.. usually for eavesdropping and geo- tracking. This appears to be the case through a bit of logical deduction.

Why the bags? Why the magnet lock? Why not require to be simply locked up until end of day? Why are they opting to even the carry these devices if they can’t use them ?

There is more going on here than meets the eye.


4 posted on 09/29/2023 11:38:45 AM PDT by Celerity
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To: raccoonradio

The district could also be very worried about kids getting evidence of things the district doesn’t want their parents to see.

I’ve got a better solution: Pull your kids out of publik skrewls.


5 posted on 09/29/2023 11:40:09 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: raccoonradio

Screwels today:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1707797015688826964

Libs of TikTok
@libsoftiktok

A teacher in Flint, Michigan is knocked unconscious after a student threw a chair at her head. This happened in Flint Community Schools in Michigan


6 posted on 09/29/2023 11:40:12 AM PDT by raccoonradio
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To: VideoPaul

Slide rule and compass?


7 posted on 09/29/2023 11:41:05 AM PDT by EEGator
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To: raccoonradio

Good way to hide mischief on the part of educators.


8 posted on 09/29/2023 11:41:42 AM PDT by Ken H (Trump /DeSantis)
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To: raccoonradio
We're hoping to introduce that policy here.

There may need to be exceptions for medical alert issues, such as diabetic monitoring. (although I'm sure there are tools other than cell phones that accomplish the same)

9 posted on 09/29/2023 11:42:10 AM PDT by G Larry (It is RACIST to impose SLAVE WAGES on LEGAL Immigrants by importing Cheap ILLEGAL Labor!)
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To: raccoonradio
Geeze...I graduated high school 55 years ago.Not many smartphones around back then. But it seems that they can disrupt classes when the ring...or beep...and they can also be used for cheating on exams.
10 posted on 09/29/2023 11:42:40 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Two Words: BANANA REPUBLIC!)
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To: Celerity
Why not require to be simply locked up until end of day? Why are they opting to even the carry these devices if they can’t use them ?

If the student carries the phone in a locked bag, the student is responsible for preventing the loss or theft of the phone.

If the student leaves the phone in a school provided locker, the school is responsible for preventing the loss or theft of the phone.

Even government school administrators can understand this.

11 posted on 09/29/2023 11:43:14 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: mewzilla
Pull your kids out of publik skrewls.

ABOLISH government schools.

12 posted on 09/29/2023 11:43:44 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the peopIe to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: raccoonradio

Simply “enforce” the rules of not using one’s cellphone in class. They’re too advantageous otherwise to block their use.


13 posted on 09/29/2023 11:43:47 AM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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>> ‘what role does technology play in education?’

what role do drag queens play in education?

what role does racial discrimination pay in education?

what role does trans play in education?

what role does progressivism play in education?


14 posted on 09/29/2023 11:43:51 AM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: raccoonradio

This is most likely in response to students recording bad behavior in school by teachers and administrators.


15 posted on 09/29/2023 11:44:15 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: raccoonradio

My thoughts exactly.


16 posted on 09/29/2023 11:45:02 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: Gene Eric

Exactly.


17 posted on 09/29/2023 11:45:17 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: VideoPaul

Or a calculator?


18 posted on 09/29/2023 11:45:25 AM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.)
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To: NorthMountain

I agree. Homeschooling is the best option.


19 posted on 09/29/2023 11:45:41 AM PDT by No name given (Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: raccoonradio

Therefore there won’t be any ability to record the violence perpetrated by...them?


20 posted on 09/29/2023 11:49:02 AM PDT by SheepWhisperer (Get involved with, or start a home fellowship group. It will be the final church. ACTS 2:42-47)
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