CELLPHONES/SMARTWATCHES

WHEREAS, personal cellphones and smartwatches are now often used by students at all grade levels; and

WHEREAS, cellphones and, more recently, smartwatches have become a learning distraction, a tool for cyberbullying and an unhealthy addiction; and

WHEREAS, screen addiction is changing the way students think and decreasing their levels of concentration; and

WHEREAS, notifications and alerts on cellphones and smartwatches are creating challenges for educators to keep students focused and engaged; and

WHEREAS, cellphones and smartwatches may be used to record in classrooms, violating personal privacy and potentially violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; and

WHEREAS, some of these devices have user and parent functionality to “focus” and limit the usage times, but these functions are not often used or students find ways around them:

RESOLVED that the AFT will compile information regarding best practices and develop and advocate for strong unambiguous policies regarding the possession and use of cellphones and smartwatches in classrooms; and

RESOLVED that the AFT will support our local affiliates and state federations in advocating for the adoption and implementation of appropriate legislative guidelines to reduce the impact of cellphones and other devices on students and the classroom.

Adopted May 28, 2025