Oregon Executive Order 25-09 is the new statewide ban on K-12 students’ use of electronic devices during school hours. This ban has its pros and cons regarding children’s safety. I believe this statewide ban is one of the smartest moves our government has made today. I completely agree with the decision to ban all electronics during school hours. I believe this ban will help children in our society today become more connected to the world around them, not just to the phone in their hands. Many generations before us survived with only the front office phone at their school, so why can’t today’s generation also understand that they can make it 8 hours without staring at their phone screen?

I agree with and support the complete ban as it is. Although there are special situations in which certain students need their phones, those students may keep their devices or personal items as long as they have a written referral for their condition or reason. These sit-downs usually occur when a student has medical issues and needs to monitor their blood sugar levels. Only in situations like these should a student have their phone.

When it comes to the safety aspect of all this, I can understand why some people may be concerned about what could happen. During the last couple of months of junior year, there was a student who had brought a weapon to school and originally planned to harm those who had bullied him during his time at our school. When the faculty put our school on lockdown, many students, including me, instead of staying quiet, started calling parents to ask them if they knew what was happening and why. At this time, many parents began calling the school and the police to ask why the school went into lockdown, making it extremely difficult for staff and faculty to assess the situation amid the phone calls.

After the situation was resolved, parents were notified of the events of that day. I understand that with everything happening in our society today, especially now when school shootings are happening more frequently, students and some parents would be concerned about not having a phone to communicate with one another. Our staff and faculty are trained to handle situations like this. When parents call or visit during these times, it makes everyone’s job much harder. Schools will always notify parents or guardians when something like this happens, so children wouldn’t need to involve their parents immediately. I understand the fear that comes with times like these, but I also know the staff will protect each of us to the best of their ability.

When it comes to academic times, students definitely do not need a device other than a school-provided Chromebook or computer. Given how advanced technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are, academic dishonesty is a huge problem across our country. Kids are using AI to write entire essays for them in college. If you are caught cheating using AI, it’s an automatic expulsion from your university or college. So, what’s the difference on a school computer, right? All KCSD computers and accounts are monitored by the district office, with certain filters and sites blocked to prevent this. If a student were to use them ho;1e i 1 class for it, it’s much easier to ask Al and just slightly reword what it has given you. Not only that, most of the time, students don’t realize AI isn’t always correct, and if they don’t check facts, they could be giving themselves away. Also, eliminating distractions, including social media, in classrooms is extremely beneficial for learning and concentration in an Academic environment.

Understanding that thousands of generations before ours successfully made it through all of their academic years without cell phones. It’s not a human necessity; it’s a social addiction. People posting videos of other students or teachers without consent violates personal privacy, and it’s happening more and more. Videos of fights in schools, and of students getting written up and suspended for just being there and recording, are even a huge problem in schools across the country, not just in our state. People are being bullied and made fun of at school because of pictures and videos taken there. Children are taking their lives because of it, and banning phones in school is the first step to stopping this worldwide epidemic.

I 100% support the ban on phones and electronic devices in all Oregon schools. In the OL1r world today, it’s what needs to happen. Phones haven’t been around forever; many, many people made it through school without them, so why can’t today’s generation do the same? As I said at the beginning, this is probably one of the most beneficial and smartest moves our government has made for our society today.

• Isabella Pena – Miss Mazama