By Clarissa Coleman, NYLC Youth Advisory Council Member
July 28th. Most students dread this day, but for me it’s full of excitement and emotion: the last first day of my high school career. Anxious to start my senior year, I stepped excitedly into school. I expected to feel embraced by the school, but I was met with something that was quite… un-embracing. A phone policy. Perplexed by this new policy, I read more about it and experienced how it was being enforced in my school district. Quickly, my curiosity turned to anger.
At the beginning of this school year, Jackson Public Schools (JPS) in Jackson, Mississippi created a zero tolerance phone and technology policy, in the hopes of increasing learning in the classroom. On paper, that sounds like a good idea, but from a student’s perspective, this policy is flawed beyond reason.
To put it simply: it’s unsafe. According to the policy, if a student is caught with their phone during class or even just carrying it, the phone will be taken away for five days, including after school and over the weekend. When I first read that, I was infuriated. Not only does it feel unnecessarily harsh, but it also ignores an important reality: our phones are our lifelines. Many students rely on their phones to communicate with parents, guardians, and loved ones. Whether it is to coordinate travel or update them about an emergency, our phones keep us safe and connected with our communities. As a result of this policy, school administration is directly jeopardizing student safety.
A student at a JPS High School stated “I live in South Jackson, that’s a very dangerous area! If I were to go home without my phone, I don’t know what could happen. A shooting could happen and if I’m at home alone I could seriously be in danger. ”
Hearing stories like that makes me want to speak up and push for change. This policy might have good intentions, but it risks student safety, and that’s something no rule should ever do.
Secondly, this policy hinders the learning experience. If I went to a district where everything was “cupcakes and rainbows,” with every technological resource we could ever need, maybe I wouldn’t be writing this blog. But that’s not the reality for many students like me.
Hundreds of students across the district are without a school-issued computer, even though we are supposed to have one. Because of that, many of us rely on personal iPads and phones to complete assignments during class. Now, thanks to this new policy, we can’t even do that without risking punishment or having our devices taken away. It’s frustrating to see a rule meant to “help” us actually make it harder for students to learn and keep up. Instead of supporting us, this policy puts up barriers.
Ultimately, this policy is completely unfair. For the past 16 years, I’ve never had to worry about something I brought to school being confiscated for simply having it out. Now, I find myself constantly watching my back and double-checking my pockets. Each morning, I quickly shove my phone into an overflowing backpack just to avoid losing it for days.
This is why I am speaking up and trying to fight this policy. I’m gathering petitions, sending emails, doing research, writing blogs, and collecting data in preparation to bring this issue before the school board. Maybe it won’t be easy, and maybe I won’t win right away, but as Malcolm X once said, “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Those words give me the strength to fight, but I know I can’t do it alone.
If you agree or want to show your support, please sign the petition below and share this blog. Thank you so much to NYLC for supporting this effort! Don’t forget, devices are essential. Let’s change the phone policy!
