Will Minnesota Schools Be the Next Ban Cell Phones?

When I was a kid, I used to imagine what the future would look like. From the reliable resources of “The Jetsons” and “Back to the Future”, I couldn’t wait for technology to be more accessible for everyone.

Fast forward to 2024, and what used to be called a cell phone is obviously so much more than that today. Most families who have kids get their kids a phone once they get to a certain age, hopefully being able to keep a closer check on what they are up to.

I’m sure cell phones have been somewhat of a distraction during the school day. Where we used to pass notes behind the teachers back, today students can text or direct message one another.

But one school system is saying, not anymore. According to USA Today, by a 5-2 vote last week, the Los Angeles County School Board voted to ban phones in school there. The ban will prohibit not only the use of phones during the school day, but social media as well.

The L.A. School District has almost 430,000 students and is the second largest in the country.

The distractions I spoke of earlier are one primary reason, but also students' mental health is the other. The goal is to hopefully help each student stay focused and help them be the best versions of themselves.

This decision came to light about the same time as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated publicly that he feels warning labels should be placed on social media platforms, like tobacco products.

This ban will go into effect in January.