Lamont Seeks Cellphone Crackdown In CT Schools: Poll

CONNECTICUT — During his State-of-the-State Address last week, Gov. Ned Lamont came careening out of nowhere with an attack on cellphone use in Connecticut classrooms.

"Here is my idea," the governor twinkled. "Little bit from China and a little bit from Beyoncé. China limits TikTok for children to one hour a day, and Beyoncé makes you leave your smartphone in a Yondr pouch before certain major events. We will be sending out guidance to your school board – have your younger students leave their smartphones at home or drop them in a Yondr pouch at the start of every school day."

While an allusion to the limitations China places upon its children may not have been Lamont's best lede, most residents would agree he had them at "Beyoncé."

If it's good enough for the 23-Grammy-Award-winning Queen Bey, why wouldn't it also work for your 14-year-old?

The "it" in this case is the Yondr, a high-tech pouch that remains locked around your gadget while inside a designated "phone-free space." Tap the pouch on an "unlocking base" situated outside the controlled zone and the pouch pops open, returning you to your digital lifeline, and Roblox.

For musical artists, the Yondr nips the distribution of lo-fi recordings of music and concert videos in the bud — although they'll tell you the hi-tech confiscation allows their fans to "enjoy the moment."

Although Yondr's A-list celebrity clientele may be bringing it all the ink and attention lately, the company has been supplying solutions to classrooms for a decade, according to its website.

Sealing away your child's iPhone during algebra class may seem harsh, but there is no shortage of studies condemning digital distraction in the classroom. Neither children nor adults are wired to multitask well (and maybe that's a good thing).

"Too much smartphone makes you stupid," Lamont chided during his address, but for many parents, locking down their child's phone presents a safety concern, and an intrusion upon their shared communication. Some educators encourage the use of cellphones in the classroom, touting their value as search tools, use in interactive learning, and ability to capture and store visual-intensive lessons.

True to his word, Lamont filed a bill last week in the newly-convened General Assembly that includes a proposal to require state education officials to develop a policy on the use of cellular phones and other mobile electronic devices.

What say you? Should public schools in Connecticut force students to lock away their phones until recess, or even dismissal? Or is such a move government overreach? Let us know your thoughts in the Patch Poll below, and we'll publish the results next week.