Students Need Phones for Safety—Change Indiana’s Law

Indiana recently passed a new law that bans student phone use for the entire school day. While reducing distractions is important, a full "bell-to-bell" ban goes too far. Students need access to their phones for safety, communication with parents, and real-life emergencies. Many families rely on phones to stay connected throughout the day. Personally, I also think this law is very stupid because what if something happens at school? Like a shooter, or a real fire, or even a tornado, we need to be able to communicate to our families and peers to stay safe. We are asking lawmakers and school leaders to revise this policy so that students can responsibly use their phones during non-instructional times, such as lunch or in emergencies. A balanced approach will improve focus in class while still protecting student safety and communication.