New LAUSD Cell Phone Policy: Why School Devices Need Attention Too
- Kevin Kuckkan, M.Ed.
- Jul 1, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 20
Social media is a "harmful vehicle" that disrupts the learning process.
That's what Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) superintendent Alberto Carvalho said, after announcing the decision to ban student cell phone use during school hours.
His statement exemplifies a struggle: the near-universal presence of mobile technology in our lives presents a double-edged sword for K12 schools. While these devices offer a wealth of educational resources and communication capabilities, they can also pose a significant challenge in cultivating focused and productive learning environments.
This decision, as Education Week reported, underscores the growing concern regarding the detrimental impact of smartphones on student learning. The Board specifically highlighted the adverse effects of cell phone use in schools, from student focus to social interaction and even mental health.
With over 15 years of IT admin experience, including 10 years as a math teacher, I immediately see the LAUSD school cell phone ban is sending a clear message – the district prioritizes fostering a more engaging classroom environment where students can prioritize face-to-face interactions and develop stronger social connections, skills critical for success inside and outside the classroom.
The LAUSD School Cell Phone Ban Joins a Growing Policy Landscape
The LAUSD cell phone policy is not an isolated incident; similar restrictions are spreading beyond individual schools and reaching the state level. In recent years, lawmakers nationwide have considered legislation restricting smartphone use in schools.
In 2023, Florida became the first state to act, enacting a law prohibiting student phone use during class and blocking student access to social media on school Wi-Fi.
Indiana followed in March when Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill banning students from using phones and other wireless devices in classrooms.
In May, Ohio joined the movement with Governor Mike DeWine signing a similar bill requiring school districts to establish specific cellphone usage policies during school hours.
By June, USA Today reported that lawmakers in at least eight states were actively considering similar legislation, suggesting a potential nationwide movement toward regulating student phone use in educational settings.
K12 Smartphone Restrictions: Do They Really Work?
Research suggests banning cell phones in schools might be a tempting solution to combat digital distractions and create productive learning environments. Still, it may not have the desired impact on changing student behavior that many may think or hope for.
Northeastern University Associate Professor of Communication Studies Meryl Alper, who studies children and families' technology use, suggests that bans alone will not lead to more engaged learning:
"While cellphone bans are functionally useful, they are not effective for behavior change unless coupled with digital citizenship programs that offer students reflections on their personal choices with technology."
With a staggering 94% of students now having a school-issued device (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2023), cellphone bans might simply shift the problem to another accessible device, as cell phones wouldn't be the main culprit anymore; student focus is likely to be disrupted by school devices themselves.
A school cell phone ban, like the one implemented by LAUSD, is a good first step to address digital distractions. However, educators across the country recognize these restrictions have limitations. Since returning to in-person learning, managing student behavior on school-issued devices has become a significant challenge. Highlighting this, a 2022 survey of educators found digital distractions to be the biggest obstacle in creating effective digital learning environments.
Furthermore, a 2022 Wall Street Journal article highlighted teachers' growing difficulty in managing screen time on these devices, particularly regarding non-educational content like YouTube videos, forcing teachers to waste valuable class time policing students instead of focusing on instruction. The key takeaway? Digital distractions on any device a student may use during school – personal or school-issued - existed before the pandemic and continue to pose a significant challenge in digital learning environments.
It's Not About the Gadgets, It's About Focus
Cell Phones vs. School Devices? The issue is lies deeper than the gadget. The merits of device use shouldn't be called into question. Instead, the larger question revolves around how schools can guide students toward more responsible online usage patterns, regardless of their device.
School devices have undeniably helped teachers teach
As teachers and IT admins, we know personal mobile technology and school-issued devices can offer significant benefits for education. They allow students to gain instant access to a vast array of learning resources, from interactive simulations to online libraries. These devices can also facilitate communication and collaboration between students, teachers, and parents, extending the learning experience beyond the classroom walls.
The hidden cost of device usage: multitasking
While some argue students raised in the digital age feel they can effectively multitask in these environments – whether on cellphones or school devices - minimizing the impact of distractions, research suggests otherwise. The 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) study by the Organization for Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD) conducted with over 600,000 fifteen-year-old students from 32 countries found nearly two-thirds of US students admit to being digitally distracted in class, often by classmates' devices. This concern is validated by the study's finding of a direct link between digital distractions and lower math scores, with students easily distracted by classmates' devices scoring an average of 15 points lower.
Conventional content filtering is ill-equipped for today's internet
The explosion of online content creates a significant challenge for K-12 schools trying to maintain effective content filtering on school-issued laptops and tablets. Traditional filtering methods developed in the 1990s, though adequate at their inception, simply weren't designed to handle the dynamic nature of the web or the resourcefulness of today's tech-savvy students.
These traditional filtering methods typically rely on K-12 IT departments maintaining giant blocklists of websites and keywords deemed inappropriate.
6 critical weaknesses of traditional filters using blocklists
1) The Never-Ending List
With a staggering number of new websites launching daily (estimates suggest over 250,000!), keeping a blocklist up-to-date is nearly impossible. Imagine trying to maintain a list of every grain of sand on a beach – it's an overwhelming task.
2) Easily Bypassed Defenses
Tech-savvy students are often a step ahead of legacy filtering technology. They can employ various methods to circumvent these filters, such as:
3) Proxy Sites
These act as intermediaries, allowing users to access blocked content indirectly.
4) Embedded Links
Crafty students can hide links within seemingly harmless text or shared docs, making them invisible to basic filters.
5) Inventive Spelling
Substituting letters with numbers or symbols (e.g., "f@cebook") can sometimes fool keyword-based filters.
6) Unrecognized Threats
New online threats and trends emerge constantly, leaving list-based filters vulnerable as they lack the ability to adapt.
Also read: Has the edtech revolution been a failure?
3 Strategies Schools Can Use to Balance Tech Use with Education
These findings highlight the need for a more nuanced approach beyond simply banning cell phones or locking down school devices.
Move Beyond Bans
As the PISA report emphasizes, school cell phone bans aren't enough. Effective strategies are needed to tackle the broader issue of digital distractions in the classroom, regardless of the device.
Teach Digital Citizenship
Implementing a digital citizenship curriculum, starting early in elementary schools, can equip students with the skills to manage their online presence and prioritize responsible technology use.
Implement Dynamic Technology Solutions
Schools should explore innovative technology solutions beyond simply blocking websites. These solutions should help teachers create more productive digital learning environments while helping students develop digital self-regulation and responsible habits for consuming digital content.
How Recent AI Innovation is Transforming EdTech
While LAUSD's cell phone policy might reduce the impact of smartphones on student learning, it doesn't address the broader issue of digital distractions on all devices. So, how can schools create a truly focused learning environment where students can thrive and instead embrace innovative solutions like AI-powered content filtering?
Unlike traditional methods that rely on manually maintaining blocklists of websites and keywords, AI filtering offers a dynamic and sophisticated approach to managing student device use.
3 Ways AI-Powered Supports the Classroom Better
Helps students focus on learning, not gatekeeping
AI doesn't simply block websites. Instead, it analyzes content in real time, considering factors like the webpage itself, user behavior, and the overall context. Deledao's ActiveScan™, for one, allows students to access legitimate educational resources, even if resources contain keywords that might trigger a static filter.
Helps teachers mitigate distractions to build student agency
The goal isn't to isolate students from technology but to strike a balance. Deledao's AI-powered filter minimizes distractions while maximizing learning opportunities within a safe environment.
This means offering schools flexible policy options that allow students who need it the time to learn and practice self-regulation in the digital world. AI-powered content filtering can play a key role here. By identifying and filtering out irrelevant or time-consuming content, AI helps students focus on the essential learning materials.
Also read: EdTech awards Deledao's web filter as best use of AI in education in 2023
Helps IT admins adapt to evolving threats
The online landscape is constantly changing, and so are the potential dangers students face. AI filtering stays ahead of the curve by continuously learning and adapting to identify and block emerging threats. This ensures students are protected from the latest online risks.
4 Ways Deledao's InstantAI Changes the Game of Content Filtering
Unlike traditional filters, InstantAI™ doesn't just block websites. It analyzes a webpage's content, user behavior, and overall context to assess potential distractions and threats dynamically. This allows for a more nuanced approach, ensuring access to legitimate educational resources while minimizing distractions.
Real-Time Threat Detection
Static filter lists can't keep up with the ever-evolving online landscape. The InstantAI ™ real-time analysis can identify and block emerging threats and inappropriate content, keeping students safe from new online dangers.
Contextual Understanding
InstantAI ™ can differentiate nuances, such as between a news article about social media and a social media platform itself. This contextual understanding ensures students can access relevant educational resources while filtering out distractions.
Reduced Burden on IT Staff
InstantAI ™ automates many content filtering tasks, allowing IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Centralized Management
Deledao's solutions provide a centralized platform for managing content filtering across an entire school district, streamlining IT administrative tasks, and reducing the need for constant manual intervention.
