Opinion: Show kids how to use smartphones the right way

Schools should set clear rules and expectations for cellphone use so that students know that when in class they are expected to concentrate on the lesson, not their social media mentions. — Family photo created by andreas - www.freepik.com

The Westbrook School Committee in the US last week voted to ban middle-school students from having their cellphones on them at all. They'd be foolish to think that the phones are going away.

Even if teachers and administrators succeed at keeping kids from accessing their phones during the school day — and that's a big "if" — students will have them out as soon as the final bell rings, and for the rest of their waking hours.