Across the state, schools are tightening rules on student cellphone use in classrooms. Some schools require phones to be put away, while others lock them up.
At Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix, 16-year-old Chloe Sakala said it’s common to see students using their phones during class for texting and social media.
To cut down on distractions, Sandra Day O’Connor is introducing a new cellphone policy. Students must keep their phones in backpacks, pockets, or purses, and out of sight during class. This policy is similar to those in other schools across the state.
Dr. Anita Stoltc, principal of Barry Goldwater High School, where cellphones are banned in class, attributes student growth to this focus on learning instead of social media.
A 2023 Common Sense Media report found that 97% of students ages 11 to 17 use their phones during the school day, often for social media, which distracts them from class.
The Bullhead City School District goes a step further, requiring students to lock their phones in a box at the start of the day until school ends.
Joe Sakala, a parent and former Phoenix police officer, supports reducing distractions but opposes locking up phones. He believes students need their phones for emergencies.
“Whether it’s a hazmat situation, an active shooter, or a natural disaster, I want my daughter to be able to reach out for help,” Joe said.
Many school districts in Arizona let individual schools set their own cellphone policies, depending on the extent of the problem on each campus.
In April, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill to create statewide rules for cellphones and electronic devices on campus, stating that schools are already addressing the issue effectively.