Johnson Pledges to Ban Cell Phones in the Classroom

@SoDakCampaigns

Johnson Pledges to Ban Cell Phones in the Classroom

Sioux Falls, S.D. – Today, gubernatorial candidate and Congressman Dusty Johnson committed to banning cell phones during K-12 instructional time. South Dakota is one of 17 states that has failed to take statewide action to address cell phone use in schools.
“We must be laser focused on student achievement. Getting cell phones out of classrooms will move us in the right direction,” said Johnson. “We are falling behind other countries, including China. Removing the constant temptation, distraction, and hidden dangers of cell phones will better prepare our students to compete and win.”

As governor, Johnson will work with public school districts to implement policies that prohibit cell phone access by students during instructional time. Decisions regarding exemptions and enforcement will be made at the local level.

“The next 20 years could be the best years South Dakota has ever had, and making sure our kids are ready for the challenges ahead is a key part of ensuring our state’s success,” Johnson continued. “Numerous school districts in South Dakota have led by example, and it’s time for us to implement their best practices statewide.”

According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom. A more recent survey states 74% of U.S. adults support banning middle and high school students from using cell phones during class. Numerous studies have shown more than a 5% increase in student test scores when cell phone bans are implemented.

###

18 thoughts on “Johnson Pledges to Ban Cell Phones in the Classroom”

  1. Bad take. Rules should be made much more local than the state. Students need to learn when they should and should not use their phones. Government does not need to tell the local districts how to teach that the best way is to take it away.

  2. Bad take. Rules should be made much more local than the state. Students need to learn when they should and should not use their phones. Government does not need to tell the local districts how to teach that. The best way is not to take it away.

  3. On paper it’s a good idea but what if there is a school shooting, will kids be allowed to call their parents. Im more concerned about school shootings than cell phone usage during class time.

    1. I hear what you are saying. But if an incident happens and lets just use 150 students, 150 kids call their parents, you now have 150-300 extra people showing up on a scene that will make for even more mass chaos. Teachers and staff will have phones to call authorities; most districts have a re-unification area preplanned where parents can be reunited with their kids. I see your point, but don’t believe it will be harmful in any way to eliminate phones in the classroom. Just my opinion, I respect yours, but just stating mine.

  5. Parents, administrators and school board members are too scared to say no! We must have the heavy hand of the state to take control before China blows our doors off!
    Next up: marching in straight lines!

  6. “Decisions regarding exemptions and enforcement will be made at the local level.”

    So this would change nothing. School districts are already able to implement policies regarding cell phones, and if Dusty wins… they will still be able to. What a puff piece.

    1. Incorrect. All schools will have to ban phones in classrooms. The exemptions refer to if they can have them at certain times and what the actual enforcement mechanisms are.

      1. Exempt all students that can demonstrate responsible choices of when to use their device… so everybody then.

  7. I was unaware that kids were allowed to use their cell phones in class and I am wondering why the teachers themselves haven’t put a stop to it.
    What’s wrong with the teachers?
    If I were a teacher, the students would all put their phones in airplane mode in a basket on my desk.

  8. As someone who has been involved in K-12 education for the last 10 years this is the right thing to do. I have seen first hand the negative impact phones have on students learning outcomes.

  9. Our school in S.D. implemented this 2 years ago based on input from teachers, parents, and LOCAL stakeholders.

  11. Should be a local school board issue, not a state wide issue. We say we want less government then expand the reach with ridiculously small issues like this.

    2. Clearly it has been a long time since you were a highschooler. School boards have failed to act on this no-brainer issue for far too long. Cell phones in classrooms are undoubtably a MAJOR reason for poor performance. Kids use their phones as a proxy for their brain and don’t learn concepts anymore; they only learn how to cheat better.

      1. Elect different school board members if they’re not enacting the policies you think they should. The answer isn’t statewide laws or rules on an issue like this one. I agree with the idea and if I was on a school board or the Superintendent of a school district I’d push for it but I don’t agree with a Governor or State Legislature stepping in and playing the role of nanny. If a school district can’t figure this one out, fix it at the next election.

  12. I see this as a non issue for upper level government and am surprised he’s spending time on this issue. I believe allowing students to keep their phones in school has benefits. 1., it enhances communication by enabling quick contact with parents and emergency services, promoting safety. 2. smartphones can serve as valuable learning tools, granting access to research materials and educational apps that enrich student experiences and foster independent study. They also help develop essential digital literacy skills crucial for future careers. 3 local control. The individual district or better yet the teacher can determine what is best in their classroom, overall guidelines are needed to minimize distractions, the advantages of allowing phones in school significantly outweigh potential drawbacks. Next thing we will see is professors taking away college students cellphones. I hope not.

Comments are closed.