Michigan phone ban for new school year starts today: What to know
Phone ban in school starts today in Michigan
Students will no longer be able to use their phones in school starting today after the state legislature passed the new law last winter.
FOX 2 - Something both kids and parents need to be aware of this school year, a new Michigan law banning cell phones.
Big picture view:
Districts have created their own plans to keep devices out of the classroom during instruction across the state.
That's because children's brains are still developing and phones can affect executive function. That includes memory, cognitive flexibility, and the ability to resist impulses.
All of this can obviously make it harder for students to sit, concentrate, and learn, Dr. Nava Silton, a developmental psychologist.
"I think this will be a wonderful step in the right direction of ensuring that students are getting the utmost out of their school day," she said. "You're not getting distracted, they're not contending with cyberbullying and other forms of challenges that come along with social media and other media."
By the numbers:
About 40 states have adopted some sort of cell phone policy. According to a district survey, the policy improves learning at every grade level.
In middle school, more than 60% of teachers say students have more focus in class.
More than 70% say students interact more with each other, and nearly all middle school parents support the policy.
Detroit public schools phone policy
Local perspective:
Detroit Public Schools Community District released its own plan for students to go distraction free, starting Aug. 24th.
"Per state policy, is the District's expectation that cell phones are not used from the entry bell to the dismissal bell," said a statement from DPSCD.
They cannot use their phones from the beginning of the school day until after the final bell. Of course, there are some exceptions, depending on the school.
The method for securing cell phones however, will differ depending on your school.
Under state law each school district will determine how the phones are stored, which could be in the students' lockers or in locked pouches.
They also could be returned to students for lunchtime or during breaks depending on the school.
What they're saying:
Teenagers' brains are not fully developed yet, and they often do not understand the difference between chatting with strangers and friends online, neurologist Dr. Andrew Doan said. (Photo illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images)
Governor Gretchen Whitmer led the effort last winter to get the legislation passed.
"I’m proud to sign these bipartisan bills that will help prioritize academic success and support youth mental health," said Whitmer last February. "We know that when students put their phones down, their grades go up."
DPSCD Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti released a statement about the policy.
"Individual schools will communicate to families if their school policy is to collect and return devices daily or if devices may stay in students’ possession but off and away," Vitti said. "Please note, some individual high schools will permit the use of cell phones during lunchtime only; individual schools will communicate with families directly should this be permissible. "
Student Della Santillan spoke to FOX News about the change.
"I made more friends because I was talking to people more like during lunchtime like before school, after school."
Her mother Lynda Valeria Santillan shared her thoughts.
"I think it just avoids the bullying, the cyber-bullying and that's kind of a peace of mind for me to know that there's no phones in the school and they could just be free."
Parents can also set a good example for the kids by staying off devices themselves. We know that's hard.
The Source: Information for this report is from previous reporting, interviews from FOX National and comments from local leaders.