Why School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans

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 

Clayton Cranford

Resources

Away for the Day

Common Pushbacks

Total Safety Solutions, LLC

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