Phones out, learning in: New Alabama law changes school culture

This school year, Alabama classrooms have gone silent, at least when it comes to cell phones

A new statewide ban is putting teachers and lessons back in focus, and educators say the

change is noticeable. An Alabama high school teacher who shared his experience on TikTok said

after years of struggle, his classroom feels completely different this year. All of my students, 100% of them, took notes in my class, did their assignment, asked for help when they got stuck, and turned it in

The FOCUS Act, signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey this summer, banned smartphones and wireless devices during school hours except for emergencies or authorized classroom use

It also requires local school boards to create internet safety rules for school devices and provide social media training for students before eighth grade

David Monahan with Fair Play, a nonprofit advocating for safer online spaces, has helped drive phone-free legislation in 18 states and D.C

It's transforming the culture because now kids are engaging again. Now they're paying attention to the teacher again

Now they having fun in the hallways and in the lunchroom And that the way school should be Monahan adds that phone bans work best when they last all day allowing checks between classes or at lunch still leaves a pool of social media

Content on social media promotes this idea that you have to be popular. You have to be someone's

idea of beautiful. It also exposes young people to content that promotes eating disorders

dangerous challenges that endanger young people's lives, pro-suicide content, bullying, cyberbullying. Public support for phone bans is growing. A Pew Research survey in June

found 74 percent of U.S. adults back limiting phones in middle and high school. Nearly 44 percent

now support all-day bans, up from 36 percent last fall. But not every student agrees. In Texas

a new law banning cell phones for all students, including those 18 or older

has sparked a petition with more than 138,000 signatures. Students say phones help during

real threats, including nearby school incidents and false lockdowns. Many call for balanced

policies that protect students and keep them informed rather than a full ban. For Straight

Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. Find the full story right now on san.com or by downloading

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