Arizona Bans Cell Phones in Class

Governor Katie Hobbs made a special appearance in the gym of Pueblo High on Aug. 7. She did a ceremonial signing of a bill that bans the use of cell phones and other wireless devices in classrooms throughout Arizona.

Many schools in the state already RESTRICT student cell phone use on campus. The others need to have a plan in place by the end of September that follows the new law.

The law, which was actually signed in April by the governor, bans the use of cell phones and wireless devices in classrooms with exceptions for emergencies or medical purposes. It also requires that schools set up ways for students and parents to communicate when the phones are put away.

Bear Essential News asked two of its Young Reporters what they thought about the new law. They were already familiar with such restrictions at their schools.

Sierra Stanley, a 6th-grader at Leman Academy, agrees with the measure. “We have to keep them in our backpacks and locker. It works really well,” she says. Sierra has an iPad, which also falls under the new law. In the classroom, “we aren’t allowed to do that—have to do that without a computer,” she explains.

Sierra points out that the ban helps prevent students from cheating. At the end of the school day, students are allowed to use their devices to make calls, take pictures and play games.

Jason Pluta, a new student at Mansfeld Magnet Middle School, only agrees with the new ban in part. He keeps his cell phone on silent in his backpack. Students aren’t allowed to use their devices from the starting bell to the ending bell. Jason and his parents think this may be going too far. Instead, he thinks students should be able to use them at lunch and during passing periods. “I don’t agree with it, and I think it should be less restrictive. Most parents do, too,” he says.