Students Must Keep Cellphone Access

#NoMoreIowaProud

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to restrict student cellphone use during school hours. Some level of restriction already exists in other states.

The plan has merit. Classroom cellphone restrictions promote attention to schoolwork. Limiting social media access reduces stress and anxiety. And when kids talk face-to-face, they build conversational and social skills. Limited restrictions make sense.

But during this conversation, we must allow for one crucial requirement. We must allow kids to keep their phones in a pocket, purse, or book bag. Unless a student violates a rule, do not take their cellphone away!

Why? Because school shootings are a very real part of children’s lives, even here in Iowa. Until school shootings stop, we must allow students to connect with others. To call 911. To text critical updates to classmates. To tell their families, “I love you” or “I’m safe.” Denying students this up-to-the-second communication tool makes them even more vulnerable targets.

The majority party’s response to mass shootings is shameful. Installing more door locks to “harden” schools is like imposing outdoor sleeping fines to end homelessness. It doesn’t address the underlying problems. Allowing staff to carry loaded weapons at school is a tragedy waiting to happen. The “thoughts and prayers” line has become an insulting cliche. And “now’s not the time” has become synonymous with delay and inaction.

The majority party refuses to make meaningful gun law reforms. The least lawmakers can do is let our kids call for help when they’re under fire.