Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
- In Florida, Orange County Public Schools banned smartphones completely.
- Teachers, students, and parents appear to support the policy mostly.
- However, students and parents think the daylong enforcement puts students at risk.
In May, Florida passed a law stating that school students need to be barred from using smartphones while in learning sessions. However, the law said nothing about smartphone use at school during non-learning times, such as lunch, recess, or free periods. Orange County Public Schools decided to go all-in, though, with all schools in the Florida district banning smartphones entirely all day.
Surprisingly, a piece in The New York Times highlighting the responses to this policy are pretty positive from teachers, parents, and even students. Teachers love that it keeps students focused, parents love that their kids are limiting their screen time, and even students love that it makes them feel more genuine, present, and engaged.