The Oklahoma Putnam City School District has implemented several phone policies over the years, aiming to address challenges affecting students and teachers. Mr. Patrick Runnels, a teacher at Putnam City North, shared insights on the reasons behind these policies, their reception among students, and their overall impact. One of the main reasons for the phone policy was the strain on student-teacher relationships.
“When I tell students to put away their phones, they take it personally and don’t
learn or pay attention after that because they are mad,” Runnels said. Phones have also contributed a lot to bullying and fights. “Without phones, that tension might
have died down rather than continue to rise,” Mr. Runnels noted. Another serious concern is unauthorized filming. Some students must avoid social media for safety reasons, yet classmates post them without consent, putting them at risk.
The mental health impact of phone use is another major issue. Constant access to social media creates unrealistic expectations. “We only post our best life and never show our struggles, so the perception for people is that they are living their life wrong, ” Mr. Runnels explained. Phones also limit students’ ability to engage in deep thought and self reflection, essential for mental well being.
Initially, students responded well to the phone ban. “I think some of you even saw it as a relief as long as everyone was being held to the same standard,” Mr. Runnels said. However, inconsistent enforcement led to frustration. Students began to view teachers who upheld the policy as overly strict, while others ignored the rule altogether. When asked about comparison of academic performance before and after the policy Mr. Runnels noted, “This is my first year teaching Honors, so I don’t have previous students to compare against.” He suggested that consistent enforcement might have led to positive changes, particularly in mental health, but these benefits are hard to measure.
For the policy to actually work Mr. Runnels believes the district must take a firm stance. “The district needs to make this a firm policy so the admin has cover to enforce it,” he stated. He also emphasized the need for structure and consistency across all grade levels. Parental involvement is important, as families must understand the importance of the policy. Finally, Mr. Runnels highlighted the impact on teachers. Constantly managing phone use adds stress and contributes to teacher burnout.
“I know teachers who have left over the issue, and I know of teachers who won’t apply to our district because we don’t enforce the policy, ” he explained. Given the challenges of teacher retention, a clear and enforceable phone policy could play a vital role in maintaining a high-quality staff, or any dependable staff for that matter. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the phone policy depends on consistent enforcement, administrative support, and community involvement. Without these factors, its impact remains limited.
