AITA for insisting I get the phone back despite policy?

When children misbehave in school, consequences are expected. But what happens when a school’s disciplinary policy oversteps into parental authority? One Redditor shared a story about their 16-year-old daughter, who had her phone confiscated for watching TikTok in class.

The school implemented a strict policy requiring confiscated phones to be held for two weeks. OP (Original Poster) wasn’t having it and took matters into their own hands—leading to a heated confrontation with school administrators. Was OP justified, or did they go too far?

‘AITA for insisting I get the phone back despite policy?’

Expert Opinion:

The Core Issue

The conflict here lies in the balance between school discipline and a parent’s authority over their child’s property. Schools have the right to enforce reasonable classroom rules, but how far should their control extend once the school day ends?

Dr. Jason F. Boggs, an education policy expert, explains, “While schools can implement rules for in-class behavior, they cannot legally retain a student’s personal property beyond school hours without explicit parental consent. Confiscation policies that extend beyond the school day may fall into legally questionable territory, especially when the property belongs to the parent.”

This directly aligns with OP’s experience, where the school refused to return a device OP had purchased, prompting a standoff that resulted in the administration finally conceding. The situation highlights how a well-intended policy can clash with legal and parental rights, leading to unnecessary conflict.

Legal Considerations

Confiscating a student’s phone for the duration of class is one thing, but keeping it for two weeks raises potential legal and ethical concerns. Many schools have policies in place allowing for temporary confiscation, but indefinite retention can be considered overreach.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “Schools may impose disciplinary measures for misuse of technology, but they must ensure that policies do not violate students’ rights or overextend their authority.” OP’s insistence that the phone was legally theirs, not the school’s, aligns with these concerns.

What Could Have Been Done Differently?

Instead of resorting to a prolonged standoff, the school could have:

• Allowed the parent to retrieve the phone immediately while enforcing separate consequences for the student.
• Implemented a policy requiring students to check their phones in daily rather than holding them for extended periods.
• Created clear contracts with parents to establish phone-related disciplinary agreements before confiscation occurs.

Here’s What Reddit Had to Say:

The majority of Redditors sided with OP, arguing that the school overstepped by keeping a personal device beyond school hours. Many pointed out that schools do not have the right to seize personal property indefinitely.

Most agree that OP was justified in retrieving their daughter’s phone. While students must respect classroom rules, schools must also respect parental rights and legal ownership of property. A more balanced approach—such as requiring students to surrender phones during class but returning them at the end of the day—might prevent future conflicts.

What do you think? Was OP right to challenge the school’s policy, or should they have let the school’s punishment stand? Share your thoughts below!