A bill passed into law in July banning wireless devices in Indiana classrooms received both controversy and support.

Nationally, concerns over a lack of instant access to communication during an emergency coincide with applause for removing these digital distractions from learning. A study by the nonprofit research and advocacy organization Hopelab found students providing feedback questioned how to keep their families updated during a crisis. Another larger response concerned the effectiveness of their school’s active shooter plan.

Michael Parent, principal researcher and psychologist for Hopelab, said the study revealed students felt an effective emergency strategy had not been developed with or communicated to them, leaving them to feel unprotected.

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"What if there's an emergency? Now I don't have my phone on me," Parent explained. "Schools do have these policies to keep kids safe but it doesn't seem like policies are being built or pushed out with young people being involved so they can actually understand why the policies exist and what they are supposed to do to be safe."

The study showed 64% of high schoolers support a cellphone ban during class time while only 33% oppose. Indiana’s school districts have the option to follow the total ban or securely store the powered-off items and return them to the student at the end of the day. Opposition to a full-day ban registered at 80% in the study. Permission to use devices during recess or lunch was viewed as a compromise and some respondents admitted the absence of cellphones, gaming devices and tablets in the class improves attention.

Parent recommended policymakers seek more student involvement and enhance communication with them for a better understanding of how to feel safe in school.

"That would involve involving students in the design and implementation of these, rather than viewing their opposition or concerns about the policies as they're head-butting us because they want to check their DMs," Parent suggested.

He added stronger communication is crucial, with youth routinely hearing about active shooters at schools, which generates a “rational” amount of worry for them.