We asked what readers think of Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposal to ban cell phones in Illinois schools during instructional periods. Here’s what Sun-Times readers said, lightly edited for clarity:
“I dislike, and I’m a teacher. Students at our school have to store their phones in a specific spot in each class until class ends. If something happens I want them to have access to their phones.”
— Julie Marie
“I think it will be met with resistance at first. But it might take pressure off our youth.”
— Lauren Etriemstar
“It’s not really going to matter or work because so many schools rely on technology in the classroom. They have iPads and other tablets as a mandatory part of their learning.”
— Tiffanie Sperling
“The local schools should make this decision.”
— Julie Gravatt Copher
“I am a school nurse and I had a kid text her mom to come and pick her up because she was sick. The teacher thought the student had seen me between classes but I never saw the student. And the kid wasn’t sick.”
— Denise Terracciano Glennon
“You wouldn’t want them not to have phones. If an emergency should happen like a shooting or fire, it’s good to have to call for help.”
— Sheri Thomas
“We all survived without phones in our pockets at school. Kids should be focused on instruction and face-to-face social interaction with their peers, not buried in those phones all day. If there is an emergency, I want them laser-focused on listening to their teacher or admins for instruction. “
— Jenn Wolf
“Over the past 10 years, smartphones have become more popular, and just about all parents buy one for their kids. And classroom teaching has not been the same since.”
— Donny Falk
“Investing in software like location-based app blockers might be more effective.”
— Paulina