In this Florida school district, some parents are pushing back against a cellphone ban
Associated PressTALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It’s no surprise that students are pushing back on cellphone bans in classrooms. But a survey sent out by the South Florida school district earlier this fall found that of the more than 70,000 students, teachers and parents surveyed, nearly one in five parents believe the cellphone ban is having a negative impact on their student’s wellbeing. “We’re really talking about giving kids tools during those times when they need it,” she added, including letting students use their phones for “positive mental health purposes”. “I don’t expect students to say — or parents of high schoolers to say — right, that, they don’t want their kids to have cellphones,” said Howard Hepburn, Broward superintendent of schools. It takes time.” Landyn Spellberg, a student advisor to the Broward school board, said there are a lot of benefits to phones — and that the district’s blanket ban isn’t helping students with something many adults still struggle with: learning how to use technology in a healthy way.