Times Argus Commentary by Ben Clark: Student cell phone use

Ben Clark - Apr 1, 2025

Times Argus link to commentary here.

In response to Kate McCann’s recent letter in The Times Argus, I want to share my vision for our Vermont schools — one that uplifts our community and honors the promise of every child. I strongly support the “Phone, and Social Media-Free Schools” bill as written in H.54 and S.21 because it stands as a beacon for a future where our students learn free from distractions and corporate interference.

As a board member at Harwood Unified School District and a special educator at South Burlington School District, I see every day the miracles that happen when our classrooms are free from personal devices. In our bell-to-bell, device-free days, our students blossom in central Vermont, nourished by genuine human connection and the art of deep, uninterrupted learning.

Our children are not meant to be ruled by the siren call of phone companies. They should never see their devices as a social access card or the key to navigating their day. Instead, they deserve an environment that encourages growth, fosters authentic relationships, and sharpens their minds. Our classrooms are sanctuaries where technology serves as a tool for enlightenment, not as a distraction that robs them of focus and genuine interaction.

This is more than a policy choice — it is a moral imperative. We have a duty to create schools that cultivate true human connection and purpose-driven learning. By setting aside personal devices during the school day, we send a clear message: Our students are far more valuable than the endless digital chatter that vies for their attention. They deserve an education that is rich, inspiring, and empowering — a learning experience that prepares them for life rather than chaining them to outside interests.

Some in the Legislature say this is a question best handled locally. I say it is not fair for state lawmakers to dodge this important, statewide bill needed for all our students. A phone-free school day might unsettle a vocal minority of parents at first, but after recent missteps in education funding, it is unacceptable for our already strained principals and school board members to face these battles on a small scale across the state. We cannot allow this issue to become a political quagmire where everyone claims to know what’s best for our students while no one is willing to take responsibility. If we fail to act, this problem will continue to drain our educational resources and let social isolation, disrupted learning, and a worsening youth mental health crisis persist.

Representative McCann, and every teacher who truly cares about our students, knows our children deserve better than a shallow defense of the status quo. In both HUUSD and South Burlington, where personal cell phones are set aside during the school day, our students build strong, face-to-face bonds and develop minds as clear and sharp as the crisp Vermont air. When every child is given a dedicated learning device, technology is used for its true purpose — to enlighten and empower, not to control or distract.

I call on our community and our lawmakers in central Vermont to stand behind policies that empower our schools to offer focused, distraction-free environments where every student can excel. Together, we can build an educational system that values student health, moral responsibility, and academic rigor. Our children deserve an inspiring, safe and transformative education, one that frees them from corporate interference and allows them to truly thrive.

Ben Clark lives in Moretown.