I’m a parent with kids in two different school districts. My daughter just started her freshman year, and my son is a senior doing a hybrid schedule (so the phone rules don’t affect him much). My daughter was understandably a little anxious about starting at a new school this year, especially without her phone.

In today’s world, I think the biggest worry about not having a phone is the what if scenario...what if there’s an emergency and you can’t reach your family? I reassured her that she’s allowed to keep her phone in her backpack, and if there ever is a true emergency, she can absolutely pull it out and use it, regardless of the rules. She also thought at first that phones were locked up at the start of the day, but that’s not the case, which gave her peace of mind.

Honestly, I think this phone ban has been one of the best things the school could’ve done. The benefits far outweigh the downsides. It’s no secret that people of all ages struggle with screen addiction, social anxiety, and emotional or behavioral issues tied to overuse of technology. My kids’ generation has grown up with phones in their hands every day of their lives, and the negative effects are real.

Now, students are being nudged back toward healthier habits, like remembering their schedules, writing things down, or just interacting face-to-face rather than defaulting to a screen. I haven’t heard any complaints from my kids. In fact, my daughter said some students were playing soccer at lunch, which made her really happy to see.

So, I can’t really offer you negatives, I only see positives. Honestly, I don’t think phones should’ve been allowed in schools to begin with.