In the ever-changing world of social media trends rise, fall, and are reborn on a seemingly daily basis. Recently, it seems, school fights have taken Instagram, Tiktok, and X by storm with accounts being created by students to feature fights that happen in their schools. Parents are concerned with this new trend, fearing that their own children will be made a victim of bullying, violence, or become desensitised to the violence. The widespread nature of these videos leads to students believing occurrences such as this are normal and can be considered socially acceptable or even encouraged. It is also not uncommon for the “loser” of a fight or victim of an attack to be bullied both online and in person after the videos go up on various social media platforms. People are also concerned that the constant need for social media validation will lead to students fabricating fights or attacking random students while their friends record just for a hope at a viral video.
Administrators have commented on the issue, saying that not only are the fights a problem, but so are the people recording them. When a fight breaks out students instantly text their friends and start recording, immediately a huge crowd surrounds the quarrel all with their phones out. This makes it ten times more difficult for the situation to be diffused and also opens the students in the video up to being later identified and bullied thanks to the quality of cameras in the cellular phones of today.
Currently, students in Florida public schools are not allowed their phones during instructional periods of the school day. Most schools require students to leave cellular phones in backpacks or lockers at any time other than lunch and passing periods. This however, could be subject to change here in Lee County. Members of the Lee County School Board are deliberating on entirely removing wireless communication devices from Lee County schools as a means of bettering students’ education as well as increasing their safety.
Many parents and administrators have acknowledged that school fights have always existed, and that ever since the 2000s have been being filmed and shared online. Yet, it does seem that the amount of fights are increasing. As are the effects, there have been multiple cases of students across the country who have been jumped, recorded, and subsequently bullied. This takes a great toll on their mental health, bringing some students to the point of ending their own lives.
In a most recent update the district made some clarifications regarding the new proposed policy. Phones will be required to stay in students’ bags from “bell-to-bell”, it will also involve stricter enforcement and punishment for phone based infractions. This ban extends to bussing before and after school, with the specific stipulation that recording is prohibited.
A survey held by the district revealed that out of 5,000 responses 85.3 percent of parents agreed with the phone policy, as long as students can be contacted in an emergency. The district has assured parents that they will be able to contact their children. However with phones off and in bags, which are often sequestered to the front of the room, this seems unrealistic.
Students at Cypress are not in agreement with this, junior Grace Stanley said “I don’t think banning phones will stop the fighting, doing things to assist students who feel violent will.” Ashly Mendez echoed this sentiment.“Recording fights is stupid, it just gets you in more trouble. The school has security cameras for a reason. I think the policy should remain as it is currently,” she said.
Other students were more concerned with the communication aspect of things, Victoria Sova, a freshman at Cypress Lake, said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea, I enjoy being able to communicate with my friends throughout the day. Especially in the minimal breaks we get between classes.” Ainsley Myers, a junior, said, “My parents often text me information about plans or things going on outside of school, it’s important for me to know what is going on in my life.”
It seems that Administrators love this ban, students hate it, and parents still need some questions answered. Regardless, the ban goes into discussion in March and will be decided on before June. Just in time for the 2025-2026 school year.
