As students return to school this year facing stricter cellphone restrictions, a notable amount of resistance comes from parents who want smartphones available in classrooms.

“What if there’s a school shooting?” asks an anonymous parent in the Parenting in a Tech World Facebook group. “We decided to give our 10-year-old a phone so we can track her and stay in touch while she’s at school,” shares another mom in a different conversation within the group.

A recent poll by the National Parents Union reveals that, although most parents are concerned about the negative effects of smartphones—especially the impact of social media on children—they prefer their kids to have phones available during school for emergencies.

“Many parents in our group are upset; they want their children to be able to contact them whenever needed – even while at school,” explains Jodie Sherrill, a primary moderator of Parenting in a Tech World, in an email.

PITW is a private group managed by Bark, a company that provides parental controls and message monitoring services, including an app, a kid-friendly phone, and a home filtering device. Sherrill, as Bark’s community director, sees that concerns about phones in schools are among parents’ biggest issues.

“A MAJOR discussion in our group revolves around the fear of school shootings. Numerous parents express the need for their kids to reach them in such dire situations; they hope to communicate and possibly assist in keeping them safe, or at least share a final ‘I love you,’” she adds.

Deputy Dave Gomez, a school resource officer in Colorado, along with several other safety experts, argue that cellphones are more distracting than lifesaving in emergencies.

This resonates deeply with me. During my daughter’s sophomore year, there was an active shooter incident nearby her high school. Though no students were harmed, the panic struck me when I learned that her school was locked down due to an armed individual. I resisted the urge to rush over to the school out of fear for her safety.

I completely understand. The anxiety is genuine. I was incredibly distressed until I finally received a message from her (once teachers permitted phone use) confirming she was safe.

Nonetheless, educators and law enforcement emphasize the importance of parents managing their anxiety rather than relying on technology during school hours.

However, parents, teachers indicate that your concerns are excessive

In Slate, high school teacher Liz Schulman recounts her experience trying to encourage students to put their phones away in class. “Many parents are so closely connected to their children that it feels like they’re present in our classrooms,” she states. “They demand constant access to their kids.”

Two ninth graders in Schulman’s class mentioned that their parents expected regular check-ins throughout each class session and became anxious if their texts during school went unanswered.

“You certainly encounter resistance,” Gomez notes. “Parents desire a 24/7 connection with their kids and often doubt their ability to make sound decisions, which doesn’t support their growth into independence.”

Are cellphone bans in schools effective?

School districts that enforce stricter cellphone policies report reductions in bullying, greater student involvement, and enhanced face-to-face interactions.

<p“Just eliminate the temptation altogether. I work at a high school that implemented a ban last year, and it exceeded our expectations,” says Stephanie Carlson, a mother and paraeducator in Bedford, New Hampshire.

However, the effectiveness of bans largely relies on the commitment of teachers and parents to apply them. Nearly 80% of schools have had cellphone restrictions for years, but many allow individual teachers to implement their own daily guidelines.

Carlson observes that teachers who constructed a firm no-phone policy from day one, communicating this clearly, experienced the best outcomes. She noted that completely removing the distraction by placing phones and smartwatches in designated areas proved more successful than simply instructing students to keep them hidden.

“The students knew what to expect, and it was no issue at all. Those who had access to their phones were significantly distracted. Even when phones were tucked away in backpacks, students were seen frequently glancing at them or texting on their watches. If adults have their phones next to them and are told, ‘Don’t touch it,’ that’s all we want to do, right?”

Of course, kids being kids, some students still manage to circumvent the rules, such as turning in older “dummy” phones instead of their actual smartphones when class begins.

A teacher friend of mine remarked that policing classroom phone use feels like a game of whack-a-mole. Often, students face disciplinary actions or have their devices confiscated, at which point parents intervene and threaten the school.

“I likely spend a whole school day managing phones, not even touching on students who use their phones and watches to cheat with texts, cameras, and AI,” shares another educator on a Reddit thread. “It’s a no-win situation until parents get involved.”

What are the options for staying connected with kids without the risks and distractions?

This is a common question raised daily in the PITW Facebook Group I mentioned previously. Many parents recommend Bark products in the group, as the company manages the account. It’s a valuable forum for parents to ask questions and share insights regarding different devices and experiences.

“I want a simple phone. Something that works on Verizon and can handle podcasts, but with no internet browser or social media apps. Just the essentials,” an anonymous contributor states.

“I bought my child a Straight Talk flip phone,” a parent contributes. “It doesn’t support apps and costs $20 every 90 days to top up (for calls and texts).”

“Same here!” another parent adds. “My child has a flip phone from Verizon I picked up at Walmart. It does have a web browser, so maybe consider Pinwheel phones instead?”

The comeback of the flip phone 

The support for flip phones is increasing not only in the group but also in popular culture.

Jessica Seinfeld, the wife of noted comedian Jerry Seinfeld, recently revealed on Instagram that they gave their son Shepherd a flip phone. She chose this gift hoping he would opt for it over a smartphone in his freshman year at Duke this fall. Seinfeld expressed that she wished she had delayed giving him a smartphone until he was older.

“Many have asked if this is his first phone — I wish it were true! Knowing what I know now, I would have waited until he was 14 to give him a smartphone (he received an old one at age 12 for the bus ride to school in the Bronx),” she noted on Instagram.

I’ve discussed the resurgence of flip phones quite a bit, but until recently, they were quite niche — mainly favored by hipsters or tech enthusiasts seeking a break from constant notifications. Nowadays, they are becoming a practical choice for parents aiming to free their children from device-related distractions.

Even though there isn’t a single phone or parental control solution that is perfectly simple, effective, or affordable, a few options stand out for parents wanting to maintain communication without the diversions of fully-featured smartphones. Stay tuned for my next column where I’ll detail these options.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist and on-air correspondent. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of YSL News. You can contact her at JJ@Techish.com.