Greenville: South Carolina Moves to Ban Cellphones in Schools

Students surrendering cellphones conflict.

Greenville: South Carolina Moves to Ban Cellphones in Schools

The South Carolina Department of Education is taking steps to prohibit cellphone use in schools statewide. This initiative began in April when the General Assembly passed the education budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. A key stipulation in this budget requires school districts to establish a policy that bans students from accessing electronic communication devices while on school grounds in order to qualify for state funding.

On August 13, the South Carolina Board of Education approved the initial reading of a model policy aimed at creating a “phone-free school environment.” This model policy is set for final approval on September 10. Should it receive the green light, local school boards will need to formulate their own policies to completely ban cellphone use by January 2025.

Currently, the rules regarding electronic devices in Greenville County Schools allow for the use of cellphones and tablets to enhance learning. Each school can set its own guidelines regarding the use of these devices and the disciplinary actions for unauthorized use. Tim Waller, the director of media relations for Greenville County Schools, noted that the district is collecting feedback from schools regarding the proposed cellphone ban.

Understanding the Need for the Ban

In May, a survey conducted by the state Department of Education gathered responses from 9,738 educators regarding cellphone use in classrooms. Many teachers indicated that cellphones lead to distractions, cheating, and cyberbullying. Approximately 55% of educators believe that an effective cellphone policy should completely ban cellphone access during the school day.

The move to ban cellphones in schools is not unique to South Carolina, as similar measures have been enacted in states like Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, and Virginia to reduce distractions and improve academic performance.

Jason Raven, the director of media relations for the South Carolina Department of Education, emphasized the challenges posed by smartphone usage. He stated, “All South Carolina students deserve to flourish in a learning environment free of constant digital distractions.” This sentiment reflects the collective aim to foster a more conducive learning atmosphere for students across the state.