School safety experts argue that cellphones can be both a classroom distraction and a potential hindrance during emergencies, when quick decision-making is crucial.
During a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning, frightened students turned to their phones. They sent frantic texts to their families, fearing these might be their last messages. Screenshots of these messages soon spread on social media after the tragic incident, which resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers and left nine others injured. This tragedy has intensified the ongoing debate over whether cellphones should be allowed in schools—a tool that can be distracting in class but a potential lifeline during emergencies.
Research indicates the negative effects of smartphones on adolescents. Studies have linked these devices to poor sleep, cyberbullying, and unhealthy body image. A 2023 Common Sense Media report found that teens receive an average of 237 notifications daily, with a quarter arriving during school hours.
In response, at least 13 states have enacted laws or policies restricting cellphone use in schools. Many districts have also implemented measures, such as magnetically sealed pouches, to prevent students from using phones during class.
Parents often cite emergency communication as the primary reason for wanting their children to have phones at school, according to a National Parents Union survey of over 1,500 K-12 parents conducted in February.
However, school shootings are rare. Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, argues that cellphones can actually compromise safety. “If students are texting or calling parents during an emergency, they might not follow directions promptly or be fully aware of their surroundings,” he said. He also noted that phone ringing or buzzing could attract unwanted attention, and simultaneous calls could overwhelm emergency systems. Moreover, parents arriving at schools due to alarming texts can impede emergency personnel.
Despite these concerns, students who couldn’t reach their parents during the shooting reported heightened fear. “I was shaking, scared, and I couldn’t contact my mom for half an hour,” one student told NBC affiliate WXIA in Atlanta. “I didn’t know if it was my last chance to speak with her.”
Apalachee High School’s policy allows cellphone use under teacher supervision for instructional purposes and during non-class times, such as between periods and lunch.
Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, acknowledges the nightmare of school shootings but maintains that cellphone policies should not be the focus. “We need to address school shootings directly,” she said. “Phone policies are a separate issue and not the cause of these tragedies.”
