A North Carolina middle school has taken the drastic measure of removing bathroom mirrors in an effort to tackle the issue of students using valuable class time to record TikTok videos. Southern Alamance Middle School in Graham, North Carolina, made the decision after noticing a significant increase in students spending prolonged periods in the bathroom for this purpose.
Les Atkins, spokesperson for the Alamance-Burlington School System, explained that students were using the restroom three to four times a day on average. However, this frequency had recently spiked to seven, eight, or even nine times a day. In response, the school decided to eliminate the mirrors, resulting in fewer bathroom visits and shorter stays. This move also holds students accountable for their actions, leading to a noticeable improvement in behavior.
Atkins emphasized that the school system is actively working to educate students on the responsible use of digital technology. With cell phones now ubiquitous, the aim is to teach students when to put them down and focus on their studies. To further enhance student accountability and safety, the school has implemented Smart Pass, a digital hall pass system that allows staff to track students’ whereabouts at all times.
The decision to remove bathroom mirrors is part of the school’s broader effort to create a better learning environment by reducing distractions. In a letter to parents, Southern Alamance Middle School stated that although this adjustment may take some getting used to, it will ultimately benefit students by minimizing disruptions.
The implementation of the digital hall pass system comes at no additional cost to the school district, as it utilizes existing software. This move aligns with ongoing debates surrounding tech addiction and helicopter parenting in schools. TikTok, in particular, has drawn attention from tech experts who warn about its potential influence on young minds, including the spread of Chinese propaganda.
While Florida has recently implemented a law restricting cell phone use during instructional time, North Carolina school administrators have taken a different approach to address the issue. Additionally, Montana attempted to ban TikTok entirely but faced constitutional challenges that temporarily halted the measure’s implementation.
In a positive development, one middle school teacher in Orlando, Florida, went viral for creating parody TikTok videos highlighting parents’ reactions to their children’s cell phone confiscations. The teacher noted that the new law had resulted in students engaging more with each other, fostering genuine conversations.
Overall, the decision to remove bathroom mirrors at Southern Alamance Middle School reflects a proactive approach to address distractions caused by TikTok. By encouraging responsible digital citizenship and implementing tracking systems, the school aims to create a more focused and conducive learning environment for its students.
