It may seem impossible for most of us to try living without our smartphones, even for a few hours. But students from the Atherton Schools will have to learn how it feels the hard way.
After ‘air drop’ threats received by the students, Atherton Schools decided to forbid the usage of smartphones, as well as other devices that can be used for communication, such as smartwatches or other types of phones, by those who study in high schools, as Mlive.com reveals. The official announcement was issued yesterday, November 11, by District Superintendent John Ploof, so there’s no room for doubt. Burton Police Chief Brian Ross brought the recommendation of the ban on portable devices.
What happens if students try to break the new rule
If a student tries to carry a smartphone with him despite the new rule, it shall be confiscated from him. The student can also face disciplinary action. The students have time until Monday to comply with the new rule, as that’s the time when it starts getting put into practice. Therefore, students won’t be allowed to carry the aforementioned devices with them regardless of the day of the week, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
John Ploof, the District Superintendent, explained the following, as Mlive.com quotes:
Please keep in mind that the threats which occurred last Thursday brought fear and terror in both students and parents,
This resulted in parents picking up their students and keeping them home on Friday.
The rule of forbidding smartphone usage at school is surely seen as harsh, considering that about 91% of the total population of the planet owns such a device nowadays. Another statistic shows that the average user checks his smartphone 47 times a day, which also emphasizes the importance that such devices have in the lives of each of us.