School Implements TikTok Ban and Cell Phone Use Restrictions
In Palm Beach County, Florida, students returning to school this year are facing a set of new rules and regulations regarding the use of cell phones and social media platforms within the classroom. Recently established state legislation prohibits TikTok from being accessed via school district servers, while also allowing teachers to allocate designated spaces for cell phone use during class. Furthermore, schools are now obligated to educate older students about the potential risks and dangers associated with social media.
The decision to ban TikTok from school premises has been met with approval from both parents and educational officials. One such parent, Lori Poss, a mother of four, expressed her satisfaction with the ban, emphasizing that students already spend ample time on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat outside of school, thereby rendering access within the educational environment unnecessary. Similarly, Superintendent Mike Burke of the School District of Palm Beach County acknowledged the advantages of the ban, highlighting that TikTok had demonstrated a tendency to promote harmful challenges and encourage students to engage in irresponsible or risky behavior.
However, it appears that a new app called Saturn has begun to raise concerns among parents. This application provides a platform for students to upload their class schedules, facilitating interaction with their peers. Nevertheless, a post circulating on social media has sparked apprehension among parents, who worry about the app falling into the wrong hands and potentially compromising their children’s safety.
Addressing these concerns, Ian Marlow, CEO of FitechGelb, a cybersecurity firm located in Boca Raton, contends that parents should adopt either a reactive or proactive approach to managing their children’s use of social media. Stressing the significance of open communication regarding social media practices, Marlow advises parents to actively monitor their children’s online activities and exercise control over which applications are permitted on their devices. Marlow also underscores the importance of keeping location information private to ensure overall safety.
To allay concerns, the developers of the Saturn app have implemented various improvements to enhance safety and security. Additionally, the recently enacted state laws now grant teachers the authority to designate specific areas within the classroom where cell phone usage is permitted during instructional time. This flexibility provides individual teachers the autonomy to establish their own policies, such as instructing students to store their phones in their bags or pockets. The consensus among parents and educators is that while it is essential for students to have phones readily available in case of emergencies, there is no need for constant usage throughout the school day.
An interesting side note to this story involves the renowned Lunch Lady Squad from Wellington Landings Middle School, known for their viral TikTok dance videos. However, in light of the TikTok ban, the Lunch Lady Squad has decided to transition their content to Instagram, ensuring that their creative performances continue to captivate audiences.
