Many South Dakota school districts require locked cell phones

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Many South Dakota school districts are implementing stricter cellphone policies, with some locking devices away for the entire day.

Superintendents report that removing phones has increased student social interaction and classroom engagement.

Some districts are hesitant to enact full bans, aiming instead to teach students responsible digital citizenship.

Platte-Geddes Superintendent Joel Bailey remembers an “eerily quiet” lunch room when his students were still allowed to use their cellphones during the school day.

“We decided that since the kids are in class the majority of the day, they need to talk to one another during lunch. We want that social interaction,” Bailey said. “Albeit, it’s a noisier lunch room now, at least they’re talking and interacting.”

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