URGENT UPDATE: A viral TikTok from teacher Valerie Elizabeth Dickinson reveals how students are cleverly bypassing phone bans in schools using shared Google Docs. The video, which has garnered nearly 495,900 views, showcases students communicating in real-time, akin to “reinventing the AOL chat room,” as Dickinson puts it.
Schools across the U.S. are increasingly enforcing phone bans, citing concerns over distractions and negative impacts on learning. According to Education Week, 31 states and Washington, D.C., have instituted some form of restriction. The incessant notifications from social media distract students, interrupting their focus and limiting their cognitive abilities.
Research supports the need for these restrictions. A 2024 study by Yondr found a 6.27% boost in academic performance among students with limited phone access. Additionally, findings from the London School of Economics indicate that students without phones perform between 13–20% better on exams. Mental health is another critical issue; excessive phone use is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among girls.
Despite the potential benefits of banning phones, some parents worry about their ability to reach their children in emergencies. Moreover, studies show that phone bans do not always guarantee improved academic outcomes, indicating a complex landscape for school policies on technology use.
Commenters on Dickinson’s TikTok expressed amusement over the creative solutions today’s students employ. Many noted that this method of communication isn’t new, with users recounting similar tactics from their school days. One viewer commented, “I’ve been doing this since elementary school,” while others shared their own inventive methods, such as emailing through Gmail or using gaming devices like the Nintendo DS.
The overwhelming sentiment in the comments highlights a mix of nostalgia and admiration for the ingenuity of current students. “Kids will always find a way,” one commentator remarked, “but honestly, the creativity involved is a skill worth developing.”
As schools continue to grapple with the implications of phone use in classrooms, it’s clear that students are adapting in unexpected ways. The conversation around this issue is evolving, and the creative strategies employed by students may spark further discussions about the role of technology in education.
For now, the debate over phone bans and their effectiveness will likely persist as schools seek to balance academic performance with the need for communication and connectivity.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
