Cell Phone Ban in Florida Schools

Cell Phone Ban in Florida Elementary and Middle Schools

My initial reading of this ban made me think it was usurping parental constitutional rights. After all, these students do not belong to the state; it is the right of parents to determine whether or not to allow usage.

When I was teaching education at the undergraduate level at a local college to future teachers, there often were a number of the same course each semester. This meant I may be giving a quarterly exam on a given day where I could have a poor student contact someone in another version of the same class and ask for answer to my quiz. We all used the same textbook. Our department was extremely organized.

On day one of any college class I would close the door, stand at my desk, hold up my cell phone and when silence reigned - I would turn mine off. The brighter students got my message and reached in their bags to find theirs and do the same. My message, of course, was: “I am devoting all my attention to you for the next hour: I expect the same.” No need to threaten, to raise your voice, etc. It was also modeling a way to gain cooperation in an adult manner.

I did further research on the subject and found children under 5 years of age are seeing parents' phone addictions – even giving the children the use of a phone. It was found those children had poorer health, social, language and motor development than average. An Australian University conducted a world-wide study. It confirmed what we all know: the most influential factor in normal development is face-to-face parent child verbal interaction.

Since today's parents of young children are not aware of these facts, I am in a quandary on the subject.

Do you have a solution?

Audrey Taggart

Hobe Sound 

This is an editorial and not the official position of the Martin County REC.