State is offering $50,000 to CO school districts that restrict phone use in classrooms

DENVER — The Colorado Attorney General’s Office is offering $50,000 to school districts that have implemented policies restricting phone use in classrooms.

Smartphones can have many negative effects on teenagers – stress, anxiety, lack of sleep and depression. They can also distract attention during classes.

A Pew Research Center study found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers say their main problem in the classroom is cell phone distraction.

“One of the challenges we have for young people is that they are constantly using their phones and social media applications, which is making them feel worse. This includes schools,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “We want schools to think carefully. What’s your plan? Are you letting these phones disrupt your learning environment? Are you allowing students to cause drama, harm themselves, and basically not be their best? That’s why we’re asking schools to think creatively, and we have $50,000 for every school district to do better than they currently do.”

The state will give each school district $50,000 to implement the plan. The AG’s office said the funds come from a nearly $32 million settlement it received from Juul after an investigation found that the vape maker focused on young people in its marketing efforts and misrepresented the health risks of its products.

Weiser said there is evidence on the West Slope that it could work.

Mesa County Valley School District 51 adopted new phone policies this school year. Students in kindergarten through grade 8 are not permitted to have personal devices at school during the school day. Students in grades 9 through 12 are not allowed to use the devices during class time, but can use them between classes and during lunch, although this is also discouraged.

Superintendent Brian Hill said the policy is working well so far.

“The feedback is overwhelmingly positive. And they don’t just come from families and staff, but also directly from students. They simply report that children pay more attention in class. They actually socialize more often,” Hill said.

National feedback on discussions about removing phones from classrooms raises concerns that parents will not be able to communicate with their children during isolation or a school emergency. Denver7 spoke to students who had the same concerns.

“I think part of the problem with the smartphone ban is that students don’t really feel safe in school, and communicating with family if there’s ever a problem is part of the concern,” said Grace Taub, a senior at Denver’s East High school.

Hill said schools still have landline phones so parents can always contact their students. He argues that smartphones don’t really help in an emergency situation.

“We have made it clear that in situations like this, safety experts don’t really want our child talking on the phone. They want your child to pay attention to the adult in the room. They don’t want them to spread potential misinformation, Hill said.

Can this scholarship program help students refocus on their classes and free them from the burden of phones? Weiser said he had to do something.

“I know that too many people spend too much time distracted by their phones, not connecting with people, and not focusing on school. Right now, I’m afraid for our future,” Weiser said. “By controlling when these calls disrupt learning, giving people a break, we help our young people have a better chance of succeeding.”

The Colorado Attorney General’s Office is assessing school district interest in the program. He expects distribution of the grant funds to begin early next year.