To the editor: A teacher’s view: Vermont legislature needs to ban cellphones from schools
The Chester Telegraph | Feb 10, 2025 | Comments 4
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Our students are addicted to their cellphones. Delaying a vote or waiting for local school boards to have time to deal with it individually only compounds the problem. Keeping phones in backpacks for the day is akin to giving a heroin addict a full bag of heroin, asking them to keep it in their backpack for the day.
I need students to be on time to class – alert, focused, reading the board. I don’t need students coming into class staring at their phones, needing to leave five minutes into class to use the restroom because they stood in the hallway on their phone for the whole passing period.
I need students thinking about the topic at hand and delving deeper with me. I need them to see they can be the leaders of tomorrow, not worried about things they just read off social media sites (most likely something they will not care about by the time class is over).
I need students interacting with me, telling me about their world, joking with me. As a 30-year veteran teacher/administrator, I used to have less-distracted, less-worried, less-anxious and less-depressed students. One way to get them back is to give them space from their phones and social media for the entire school day.
Plunking devices into backpacks or shoe organizers at the start of classes won’t do the job. We’ve tried that. If the phone is accessible, they will be distracted by the thought of it and try to use it. It becomes a constant, everyday, every period battle that wastes limited time we have in class and reduces teacher morale.
Like everything else in life, it isn’t every student. But, it’s bad enough, in enough students, to need this legislation for all our students so they all may benefit.
I hope the legislature will take up the Phone- and Social Media-Free Schools bill as soon as possible and not put it off or pass it onto another body.
Michael Ripley
Proctorsville
Filed Under: Commentary • Letters to the Editor
Phones should stay! At least to a point where if students need them they can get them. Example Our school now has lock downs from time to time. School info is slow with little info. Had a situation kids had to vacate school and go to legion. Only info was from my kid! I was all set to go to the school because of slow and vague info. My daughter informed me she was fine and they were safe. Our school puts phones in boxes in front of class. Right solution! If they try to ban phones completely there will be a fight on there hands from many parents. Same if state tried this! Teachers, teach. The ability to access there phones could save life’s and stop a made rush of parents trying to get info fast.
I’m a teacher in Vermont, and while I support limiting cell phone use in schools, I do not believe in a full ban. Here’s why:
I teach Digital Media Production, where smartphones are essential tools in modern workflows. Many professional cameras now rely on phones as remote controls and live monitors, allowing students to adjust settings and view footage in real time. If phones were completely banned, we would need to purchase separate classroom devices to perform these functions—an unnecessary financial burden when students already have the technology at their fingertips.
Beyond video production, cell phones are critical in my communications curriculum. My students develop podcasts and conduct remote interviews, often using their phones to connect with professionals outside the classroom. This isn’t just about convenience—it mirrors real-world media industry practices, preparing students for careers in broadcasting, journalism, and content creation.
Additionally, cell phones help reduce paper waste by allowing students to access production plans, manage schedules, and communicate with crew members efficiently. In media production, organization and real-time communication are key skills, and smartphones facilitate both.
Yes, personal phone use in school can be a distraction. However, as educators, it is our responsibility to teach students how to use technology effectively and responsibly. In the workplace, they will need to navigate appropriate use and self-regulation. A ban doesn’t teach these skills—structured guidance does.
I fully agree that our current approach isn’t working and that meaningful change is needed. However, abstinence policies do not address the root issue. Instead of banning phones outright, we should focus on intentional technology use—one that fosters responsibility, prepares students for the modern workforce, and enhances their learning experience.
Mr Ripley is correct. I worked in Vermont for 13 years then in NC for 3 years. Kids are far too connected and parents ARE the problem. There is NO reason a student needs their phones during class time. They can use school issued ipads or computers during school. Thus way the tech staff can block unauthorized sites… ex: Netflix, Hulu, HBO. Yes, kids actually sit in class watching movies then parents complain their kid is failing! PARENTS… YOU ARE THE PROBLEM! Kids have NO idea how to hold a NORMAL conversation.
Mike is right. Way overdue.