Behind the Numbers
All across Colorado, students are required to keep their phones up and out of sight.
Phone jail? Phone spa? Phone daycare? All of these names have one universal object they describe: a place for phones so that students can not have access to their devices. All across Colorado, students are required to keep their phones up and out of sight.
As of July 1, 2026, new state act HB25-1135 states all public and charter schools must implement a student cell phone policy with detailed exceptions and rules.
Jefferson County School District is already developing a more complex cell phone plan to meet this July 1st deadline by implementing more strict guidelines including when students can use them in hallways and considering the possibility of banning them in halls and cafeterias. This new and stricter policy about phones can be seen in JA.
“Teachers have really made sure this semester that you cannot have your phone on you and also in some classes, the camera has to be faced down,” sophomore Elijah Ballinger shared.
With the phone policy being more restrictive and expected to only get more harsh, questions can arise about the benefits and disadvantages of having a phone free school. On one hand, concerns are raised about the safety of emergency communication becoming harder between students and their loved ones. However, some students may argue that removing phones can be helpful to achieve more student interaction.
“I would love to see more face-to-face engagement with kids; with each other and with their teachers versus through a device of any kind,” Ms. Grace proposed.
With the rise of the digital and artificial intelligence age, phones are not disappearing anytime soon. They continue to become more developed and advanced with each day.
“I don’t really know what the answer is. I think it’s tough, but they aren’t going anywhere and we need to find a way to make it work,” Ms. Grace continued.
