VOA教育报道2024--US States Push for Cell Phone Ban in High Schools

More American states are pushing for cell phone restrictions¹ in high schools. The move comes as teachers say it is a major problem in the classroom.

In July, Virginia became the latest in a growing number of U.S. states to restrict cell phone use in public schools. The state's governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order to establish guidance and policies for local school systems to follow by January.

Youngkin's order said, "Studies indicate that students who use their phones during class learn less and achieve lower grades." It also cited an "alarming mental health crisis" among young people driven by the use of cell phones and social media.

Last year, Florida became the first state to restrict the use of cell phones in school. A law that took effect in July requires all Florida public schools to ban student cell phone use during class time and block social media on the school's wi-fi.

The states of Indiana and Ohio passed their own laws this year. Several others, including Oklahoma, Vermont, and Kansas, have also recently introduced what is being called "phone-free schools" legislation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she will push for legislation to ban cell phone use in the coming legislative² session in 2025.

Cell phone distraction³

In a recent public study, the Pew Research Center reported that 72 percent of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.

Teachers report less of a problem with younger students. About 33 percent of middle school teachers and six percent of elementary school teachers see cell phone use as problematic.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that a California teacher complained of students watching Netflix during class. In Maryland, a teacher said students used gambling⁴ apps to place bets during the school day.

Many educators in the U.S. said students used social media, listened to music, and shopped online during the school day.

James Granger is a science teacher at a Los Angeles-area high school. He told the AP, "Students used to have an understanding that you aren't supposed to be on your phone in class. Those days are gone." Granger added, "The only solution that works is to physically⁵ remove the cellphone from the student."

Some students say such policies take away their independence and cut off their main method of communication with family and friends. Opposition⁶ also has come from parents who fear being cut off from their kids if there is a school emergency.

Jaden Willoughey is a student at Delta⁷ High School in rural Utah. He shares the concern about being out of contact with his parents if there is an emergency. But he also sees the upside, or good result, of turning in his phone at school.

At Delta High School, students are required to leave their phones at the door when entering every class. "It helps you focus on your work, and it's easier to pay attention in class," Jaden said.

Kim Whitman is a leader of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group that advises schools. She told the AP she urges educators to make exceptions for students with special educational and medical needs.

Back in Virginia

Back in Virginia, school systems have been increasingly banning or severely⁸ restricting students' phone use.

For example, Loudoun County Public Schools, in northern Virginia, passed a new policy last month that generally bans elementary school students from using phones during the school day.

Middle school students are permitted to use their phones before or after school, but they are expected to store their phones in their lockers¹⁰. In high school, students are expected to silence their phones and place them in storage during instructional time.

In Richmond, Virginia, the school system started a cell phone ban last year in some of its high schools and middle schools.

Jason Kamras is head of the Richmond school system. He said, "We saw more student engagement in class and fewer distractions¹¹ throughout the day." Additionally, he said, "Students reported spending more time talking with their peers."

Words in This Story

indicate -v. to show or suggest something is the case

achieve -v. to reach a goal or do something that is notable

cite -v. to quote the direct words of someone else or facts that come from a source

wi-fi -n. (technology) a short distance wireless¹² connection

distraction -n. the condition of having one's attention taken up by something that is not important at the time; a thing that is causing a loss of attention

gambling -n. the activity of playing games of chance for money

bet -n. the act of putting money at risk in an effort to win more money

locker⁹ -n. a space, especially in schools, where people can put things and secure them with a lock

engagement -n. the condition of taking part in an activity, like a class, and being involved in it

peer -n. a person who is equal with others and like them at work, in school, or in several other situations

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

3 distraction   

n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐

参考例句：

• Total concentration is required with no distractions.要全神贯注，不能有丝毫分神。
• Their national distraction is going to the disco.他们的全民消遣就是去蹦迪。

4 gambling   

n.赌博；投机

参考例句：

• They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。
• The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。

5 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

6 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

7 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

8 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。

9 locker   

n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人

参考例句：

• At the swimming pool I put my clothes in a locker.在游泳池我把衣服锁在小柜里。
• He moved into the locker room and began to slip out of his scrub suit.他走进更衣室把手术服脱下来。

10 lockers   

n.寄物柜( locker的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I care about more lockers for the teachers. 我关心教师要有更多的储物柜。 来自辞典例句
• Passengers are requested to stow their hand-baggage in the lockers above the seats. 旅客须将随身携带的行李放入座位上方的贮藏柜里。 来自辞典例句

11 distractions   

n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱

参考例句：

• I find it hard to work at home because there are too many distractions. 我发觉在家里工作很难，因为使人分心的事太多。
• There are too many distractions here to work properly. 这里叫人分心的事太多，使人无法好好工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。