HARRISBURG (TNS) — It may not be the greatest news for students who go to school in Washington County but it might be necessary.

A new school policy introduced in the Ringgold School District is cracking down on cell phone use, prohibiting students from using them while at school or on district property in hopes to reduce fights and cyberbullying, KDKA reported.

In a press release, the district said its school police department documented 56 criminal incidents last year where students used their cell phones to plan fights, harass other students and vandalize school property. The district also said that the communication between students on phones included planning “vaping gatherings” in school bathrooms and other criminal mischief, the CBS News affiliate reported.

“In an effort to curb this trend, a new electronic device policy has been enacted for the 2022-23 school year,” the release said.

In the new policy, students will no longer be able to use their phones in classrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms or on the school bus.

According to the district website, “The Board prohibits use of electronic devices by students during the school day in district buildings; on district property; on district buses and vehicles; and during the time students are under the supervision of the district.”

Additionally, the school board said it’s adopting the policy, “in order to support an education environment that is orderly, safe and secure for district students and employees.”

Some parents agree with the new policy.

“The kids go to school to learn so they don’t need that distraction,” Emmogene Walker, a grandparent to a student in a neighboring district, said to KDKA. “They need the book learning. The education. They need to be able to concentrate on that.”

But other parents are apprehensive about the policy and worry about what could happen without cell phones in an emergency situation.

“There’s so much going on in this world. If something really did happen, it would be — I’d be happy if my grandkid had a phone and she could pick it up and say, ‘there’s a shooter’ or ‘there’s somebody who doesn’t belong here.’ That way they can easily dial 911, too,” Rena Alford, a grandparent of a 16-year-old Ringgold High School student, said to the news outlet.

“I would like her to have it in school, but do think it should be open in the classrooms? No,” Alford said.

So, what happens if a student breaks the policy?

According to the district, if a student is caught with a cell phone once, a phone conference will be held with the parents and a verbal warning will be given. A second offense includes detention. Any offenses after that, the student’s phone will have to be given to the office daily, in addition to a phone conference and detention, CBS News reported.