28-01-2025
‘Do what's right by the kids': Horry County Schools' cell phone policy goes into effect
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Parents expressed mixed feelings about the personal electronic device policy that went into effect in Horry County Schools on Monday.
To keep receiving state funds, HCS is not letting its students use their devices, like cell phones and smartwatches, in school — with some exceptions. According to Horry County Schools' website, the policy is meant to create a school environment and learning experience free from electronic distractions.
Some parents, like Sean Pope, agree that students should not text or play games on their phones during class. However, he thinks kids should be able to contact their parents during breaks like lunch.
'I feel like, as the school system should, they should do what's right by the kids,' Pope said. 'But you got to make the parents feel comfortable. You have to make the parents know, 'You know what? My kids are OK in the school.''
'The policy shouldn't be to, really, hinder parents from being in contact with their children,' he added. 'They are our children. You wouldn't send your kid to the mall with no phone. You don't let your kids go to friends' houses with no phone. You know, you don't know these people at this school, other than the teachers that your kids come in contact with.'
Devices must be powered off once students enter their school building. Students must keep their devices in their lockers or their clear backpacks until the end of each school day.
Exceptions are if devices are authorized for classroom use, if a student needs a device for medical or educational reasons, or if a student works at an emergency organization like a fire department.
Additionally, if a school has an emergency, the administration may decide that students can use their devices to contact their parents or guardians.
'Parents are not trying to call the English teacher, or the principal, or the janitor to say, 'Hey. Have you seen such-and-such during the school shooting?'' Pope said. 'No, you're trying to get in contact with your child.'
Each level of schooling has its own violation policies. However, overall, if students do not follow the policy, their parents or guardians need to pick up the device from school.
A parent commented on News13's Facebook post on Monday.
'I got a call this morning that my son's phone was taken, and I have to come pick it up,' the parent said. 'He wasn't even using it, but because it was on in his backpack, and they can see through the clear backpacks, they took it.'
Also, for every violation or refusal to give up their personal device, students can face in-school and out-of-school suspensions or an evidentiary hearing.
Pope says the policy and consequences make school seem like 'prison.'
'Your job is to teach my children,' he said. 'My children's job is to respect the fact that you're in the classroom teaching. But you, as the teacher, should not tell me when I can and can't talk to my kid.'
However, some parents think the policy will help students. One of these parents commented on News13's Facebook post.
'You do not need to call or text your child during the day,' the parent said. 'If it is an emergency, call the office. If they need to reach you, they can go to the office. They need to break the [cell phone] addiction.'
An HCS spokesperson said the district's goal is to help students understand the new policy, and if parents have concerns about the policy or disciplinary measures regarding their student, they should reach out to the school's administrator.
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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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