Michigan School Takes Phone Ban To Next Level, Bans ‘All Screens’

When I started high school in 2013, it was still pretty rare for anyone to have their phone out in class. Teachers would still crack down pretty quickly if they saw anyone texting in class, with one teacher notorious for taking phones and putting them in "Phone Jail."

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However, by the time I graduated in 2017, phones in the classroom had become very commonplace, much to teachers' chagrin. It's become far worse since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic; phones in class have become a major distraction, with kids wearing earbuds almost all the time, phones openly on desks, and teachers fighting for attention.

It's why Governor Whitmer passed a bill last week officially banning smartphones in the classroom, leaving exceptions for medical emergencies, specific lessons, or special education. The schools are allowed to decide how strict the policies will be. But one school has gone so far as to ban all screens in the classroom.

Mesick Schools' "No Screens Literacy Initiative"

Mesick Consolidated Schools, 30 miles south of Traverse City, has reverted to 2008 and ditched all student electronic devices. Chromebooks are out the window in favor of returning to physical books, pencils, and paper to "prioritize handwriting over typing," according to 910 News.

This decision comes after a report showed that students' literary performance has declined, with reliance on and distractions from electronics hindering children's comprehension. So, the district has decided to gradually return to basics, aka school as it was in the 2000s. That includes inspiring kids to read more and get used to functioning without being plugged in.

READ MORE: One Of Michigan’s Last Working Payphones Is Incredibly Difficult To Reach

For now, the district is starting with elementary school. Personally, I think this is a great idea, and if they see positive results, I believe it would be beneficial to introduce this approach to middle and high school. As it stands, only Indiana and Texas have policies banning all electronics in the classroom, while Michigan joins 30 other states with state-wide phone bans.

Many kids are on devices from the moment they wake up, and mandating schools as "screen-free" zones, or at least highly limited ones, would help combat the inherently addictive nature of smartphones.

All changes are expected to begin next school year, giving schools time to create their policies.