NC bill threatens student journalism tools
By Vivienne Neil, Enloe Magnet High School
Student journalists across North Carolina are arguing that cell phones are a tool that is essential to their jobs as journalists — however, a new bill passed by the House and awaiting senate approval would prevent high school students, including student journalists, from using their cell phones.
House Bill 87, which was introduced in February 2025 to create a cell phone-free environment across all North Carolina public schools, would not only limit calls, texts, emails and other quick and efficient communication that student journalists rely on — it would prevent them from using industry standard tools such as transcription apps, recording devices, on-the-ground photos, quick video and more.
“I think the decision (to pass the bill) was made with (the) regular curriculum in mind, and the boards haven’t taken student journalists into account at all,” Mila Blakeny, a senior at North Buncombe High school, said.
If passed, the bill would go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year.
Current cell phone policies in NC schools
Currently, schools are able to make their own cell phone policies, but a large majority of the large counties already ban cell phones. Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Brunswick Counties, as well as Johnston County as of of all implement cell phone restrictions, but the way it affects student journalism differs from school to school.
Riverside High School in Durham County explicitly states “Cell phones/Electronic Devices may not be seen or used during instructional time for any purpose unless specifically allowed by the classroom teacher and only then for instructional purposes.”
As part of that policy, Riverside High School newspaper students are able to use their phones in their journalism work. Jordan, a student journalist at Riverside High School in Druham County said that he uses his phone to record interviews so he has them on hand.
Cell phone use during instructional time is not specific to Durham County. Wake County, the largest county in NC, conducted a survey starting in March 2025, allowing educators and students to express their opinion on cell phone use. The survey received more than 2,000 responses from teachers with an overwhelming 89-90% of teachers deeming cell phones a distraction in the classroom. WRAL reported that prior to the HB 87 hearing, the board also planned to discuss the survey results.
‘Accuracy is everything, and so is having access to your phone.’
As policies adapt and evolve, students such as Sadie Irby from Riverside High are adapting and reassessing as the crackdown on cell phones advances throughout North Carolina. Irby was the head editor at her school’s newspaper. Because of the school mandated anti-phone policy was already in effect during the 2024-2025 school year, Irby became concerned about accuracy and authenticity in her work.
Digital note-taking is one tool journalists use when conducting interviews. Through the rise of cell phones, which a 2024 Pew Research Report found that 98% of American adults have, voice recorders have been rendered unnecessary expense. Reporters are now using digital recording and transcription tools, such as Otter.ai, as seen in the Journalism 101 guide published by International Journalists’ Network.
Irby reaffirmed the security cell phones provide. Despite being confident in her interviewing skills without a phone, Irby stresses the importance of accuracy.
“Accuracy is everything, and so is having access to your phone,” she said.
The notion that student journalists may not have access to their cellphones have brought unprecedented challenges. Kayley Arevalo, the social media manager for West Brunswick High School’s student newspaper, Said that she loves journalism and, after four years, knows the time and place for cell phone use.
“I guess I had special privileges because I was on social media, but only at certain times, and I always had to have my badge on,” Arevalo said.
For the most part, Arevalo said she feels frustrated with cell phone restrictions halting some of the work needed to be done.
For Irby, she feels the same.
“I do feel confident (in interviewing) — it’s more about the writing and accuracy that stresses me out.”
Alternatively, Josh Shaffer, a general assignment reporter for the (Raleigh) News & Observer, uses the traditional pen and paper style of reporting and has done so since the 90s.
“I learned, like everyone else at the time, to carry a scribble pad, and that’s all I’ve ever used,” he said. “It comes from a place of pride.”
Shaffer said the idea of Otter is “appealing” but prefers his scribble pad. Occasionally, though, when covering live events, Shaffer will utilize voice memos and his iPhone camera.
While Shaffer said journalism can be done without the use of phones, he rebuts the banning of technology in schools, especially when it helps others raise their voice.
“Just having the technology opens the door to so many more people and so many opportunities for voices to be heard, and much more so than in the past.”