Nov 18, 2024
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Delaney dives into a question that sparks debate among educators, parents, and safety experts: Is it safer for students to have their phones during a school lockdown, or could it do more harm than good?
To tackle this complex topic, Dr. Ruston speaks with a school superintendent, two police officers, and Clayton Cranford, a retired school resource officer and founder of Total Safety Solutions. Cranford, who works with schools across the country to improve safety protocols, brings a wealth of real-world experience to the conversation.
Our guests describe scenarios where misinformation and panic have escalated in lockdown situations due to student cell phone use—and how this has, at times, interfered with emergency response efforts. Together, the guests unpack the pros and cons of current phone policies and offer practical recommendations to strike the right balance between connectivity and safety.
To learn about 'Away for the Day', the Screenagers campaign to get phones and smartwatches out of schools visit AwayForTheDay.org
Featured Expert
Resources
Time Code
00:00 Introduction to Screenagers Podcast
00:50 The Case for Phone-Free Schools
01:45 School Safety Concerns and Phone Policies
02:17 Interviews with Experts on School Safety
03:15 Real-Life Incidents and Lessons Learned
05:10 Expert Opinions on Phone Policies
05:25 Challenges Faced by School Administrators
06:38 Understanding Swatting Incidents
09:37 Interview with Clayton Cranford
10:07 Best Practices for School Safety
14:01 The Impact of Phones on School Safety
19:40 Conclusion and Resources