When Raymond Dolphin assumed the role of assistant principal at a Connecticut middle school two years ago, he immediately recognized a troubling trend among students: the pervasive use of cellphones. Despite clear rules against their use in class, students were regularly using their devices, with social media exacerbating conflicts among them. In December, Dolphin made a decisive move: he banned cellphones altogether.
This decision was met with resistance from students and some parents. However, it has resulted in significant and unexpected benefits. Dolphin likened the cellphone ban to reducing the consumption of sugary foods, noting that the effects were quickly noticeable. The ban on cellphones reflects a broader struggle in education, with many schools across the country opting to remove cellphones entirely rather than relying solely on rules.
At Illing Middle School, Dolphin implemented a system using pouches made by Yondr, a California-based company. Each morning, students placed their cellphones in these pouches, which remained locked until the end of the school day. Despite initial resistance, both students and teachers have found the pouches to be transformative.
While some parents expressed concerns about emergencies and convenience, the school assured them of safety measures, including the presence of landline phones in every classroom and teacher access to cellphones for emergencies. For students who relied on their phones for anxiety management, a weaning-off plan was implemented, though it quickly became unnecessary.
The use of pouches has spread to other schools, with Massachusetts even launching a grant program to fund them. Despite some initial skepticism, most parents now support the pouches. Students have adapted well, finding that they can focus more on their studies and engage in more face-to-face conversations. They've also realized that being separated from their phones for the day isn't as daunting as they once thought.