Kansas students forced off their phones as new law bans devices all day in statewide crackdown

Students in Kansas are being forced to lock their phones away for the entire school day under a hotly-debated new policy.

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly signed the law in March but the new school year marks the first time it will be rolled out.

It orders K-12 student to surrender their devices, which are then placed in lockers until they can be collected at the end of the day by producing a ticket. 

The policy does not only prohibit cellphones, but also other forms of personal electronic devices, such as smart watches, headphones and tablets.

'In our rapidly changing world, technology dominates our lives, and that's why it's essential that we reduce distractions in the classroom,' said Governor Kelly in March. 'We must have one uniform standard across the state to tackle this issue and set our students up for success.'

Kelly added that officials are taking a 'commonsense approach' to address the impact smartphones and social media have on the state's children's academic performance.

There are exceptions to the law, such as students who need devices for their educational programs or have approval from a physician as a medical necessity.

Students may still contact a parent or guardian using the school phone.

The law also forbids school employees from using social media to communicate with students for school purposes, as well as prohibiting the use of social media for assignments or extracurricular activities. 

Many applauded the new policy, noting that the devices are an unhealthy distraction hindering learning.

'I'm totally for this! There is no reason any child or teenager needs a mobile phone at school,' wrote one user on X.

'The temptation of having it 'put away' during class and fishing it out between classes or sneaking it off to the restrooms is very high.'

'They are at school to learn. Not scroll TikTok. And I know parents will argue 'how will I reach my kid in an emergency?' All schools have phones. In a true 'emergency' they can find your child and take care of the situation.'

'I can't imagine trying to teach kids when they have their phones with them,' another added.

'They're already easily distracted, and having their phones with them would be ridiculously distracting. Why hasn't this been done already?'

'Honestly, that sounds like a tough transition for them, but it might actually help with focus if they aren't constantly checking notifications all day,' a third wrote.

However, some expressed concern that it infringes on students' rights and wondered how they would communicate during emergency situations. 

Amy Green, a science teacher at Oakdale Elementary in Salina and a mother of two high schoolers told the Kansan she she worries about not being able to contact her children during a school shooting as her children's school already required  cellphones to be put away during class. 

'I would rather have my kid be able to call 911 or communicate with us,' Green said. 'I mean, I would learn faster from them if they were safe, then waiting for law enforcement to tell me that they're safe.'

Online users agreed with Green's stance.

'The first time there's an emergency at the school and my kid can't call me, they will never get rid of me,' oner person wrote.

'Why don't we teach them how to use phones responsibly like an "adult" instead of babying them and sending them out into the workforce still acting like kids,' another said. 

'This is why so many 20-year-olds spend half of every work hour in the toilets. Banning phones doesn't teach them anything.'

'All students should, as a right, keep possession of their phones,' another said. 'They can be required to have them in airplane mode while in the classroom. They are needed in case of emergency.'

Nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia require school districts to restrict or ban students' use of cellphones in schools, according to Education Week.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Governor Laura Kelly's office for comment.