Smartphone Use in Schools

Kids and smartphones: This combination is a topic ripe with questions and concerns. Add to

that, kids and smartphones in schools, and the conversation can get even more complicated.

However, with the research beginning to catch up with the ubiquitous use of devices by children,

we can rely on some data to help guide us with helping students to manage these amazing tech

tools.

In my last blog post I referred to the Tech Talk Tuesdays blog as an excellent resource for

updated information on student/technology use issues. Recently, this blog addressed school

policies around phone use during the school day, and the results of a survey were shared in an

Op-Ed written by Delaney Ruston, the Screenagers’ filmmaker. Please follow this link to read

the Op-Ed, as well as to view the CNN interview with Jean Twenge, PhD, author of IGen: Why

Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy -

and Completely Underprepared for Adulthood.   CNN.com Op-Ed 

Our school’s policy on the use of phones currently reads,

Personal Electronic Devices – In special circumstances determined by the classroom teacher,

students may be allowed to bring in a personal electronic device to be used for specific

educational purposes. Students may not take photos or videos without explicit permission from

their teacher. All use of electronic devices, personal or school, is subject to the KRSD

Responsible Use Policy.

Personal Electronic Devices may not be used at any other times during the school day (7:35am-

2:32pm), including in the hallway and cafeteria.

Students are encouraged to make all after school social plans at home so their plans can be

discussed with parents. Students are not allowed to use their personal devices to send or

receive phone calls or messages during the school day.

Our Responsible Use Policy is always evolving to reflect current research and best practices,

and KRMS welcomes parent feedback. We try to maintain a healthy balance in regards to the

use of technology in our school - wanting to utilize the amazing educational tools available to

us, while preserving rich and dynamic face-to- face interaction. Please add your voice to this

conversation and let us know how you feel about the current use of Personal Electronic Devices

in school.