By: Allison Ipema
It’s no secret that Delavan-Darien High School is finally implementing the infamous phone ban into its system. The ban—a statewide law passed by Governor Tony Evers—is set to go into effect on December 1st. Evers passed the law with the intent to promote a healthier, more focused environment for students. The law requires local school boards to create a policy by July 2026 that limits cellphone use during the school day to emergencies and health-related issues only. However, this law extends beyond cellphones and encompasses all electronics deemed “personal communication devices,” or PCDs. Wisconsin is the 36th state to implement a law regarding the ban of PCDs.
With all instances like this one, there are pros and cons that come with it. Although most students see this as purely negative, there are several positives to consider. For example, the law aims to help combat growing mental health issues among teenagers. Students will not have social media at their fingertips, hopefully reducing cyberbullying and related instances. PCDs are also, whether students like to admit it or not, a distraction. PEW research claims, “More than 70% of high school teachers say that phone distractions are a major problem.” It’s fair to say that an overwhelming majority of students will admit to using their phones instead of doing their schoolwork. It’s extremely easy to fall into a habit of doomscrolling TikTok or Instagram, all the while schoolwork remains incomplete. In all, one of the main goals of the law is to help students learn more effectively.
However, there are no pros without cons. A rise in concern among students regarding emergencies is becoming prominent. In a hypothetical situation in which there is a schoolwide emergency, students will not be able to have their phones on their person, therefore being unable to contact loved ones if needed. Another con, more generally, is that the ban puts more pressure on teachers to keep track of their students and what they do. Students will try to circumvent the law with burner phones or phone cases, or anything they can think of, and it will be solely up to the teacher to keep track of it. This can cut into class time if it becomes a problem and affect all of the other students, too. If a student is caught with their phone during class time, there are punishments in place. As it stands, these are the punishments:
- 1st offense: the phone is returned to the student at the end of that class period.
- 2nd offense: the phone is turned into the AP office and returned to the student at the end of the day.
- 3rd offense: the phone is turned into the AP office, where an administrator will call the parent/guardian for them to pick it up.
- 4th offense and onward: the phone is turned into the AP office, where an administrator will call the parent/guardian to discuss the PCD concern and require the PCD not to enter the building for a “given” amount of time.
Additionally, as social media harms students in school, it can also be beneficial to them. In this age, almost every student uses social media for just that: socializing. Although the law will encourage students to interact outside of their phones, it does not change the fact that social media is one of the primary methods of communication.
Whether students like it or not, the ban is here, and it is here to stay. It is a big change for a lot of people, including teachers, but it is something that everyone should walk into with an open mind. Who knows? Maybe the ban will end up having more positive effects than everyone seems to think it will.
thecometeer