As students make their return to classrooms nationwide this year, an increasing number of schools are implementing a new policy — mandatory use of transparent backpacks.

Amid a growing number of campus shootings, school officials are grappling with the delicate balance between allowing students personal expression and the need to enhance safety measures within educational establishments.

The Washington Post reported that a significant number of school districts – at least 27 within the last 18 months – have initiated backpack restrictions in a bid to counter a notable rise in school shootings.

David Riedman, curator of the K-12 School Shooting Database, noted that some schools started distributing clear backpacks in the immediate aftermath of a school shooting in the mid-2000s. This practice is now becoming a more widespread policy across numerous districts.

"Schools are constantly in that reactionary mode, even if they haven't actually experienced a shooting," Riedman stated.

According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, the current year has already seen 221 school shootings. Last year, a staggering 305 incidents were reported, a stark contrast to the 34 reported in 2013.

These new policies are being implemented across the nation, with different degrees of strictness. For instance, the Covington County School District in Mississippi is making clear backpacks compulsory for the first time this fall, according to superintendent Babette Duty.

However, critics argue that these backpack regulations are merely superficial solutions, implemented instead of enacting substantial policy changes.

"When every student is forced to use a clear backpack, you're making every student feel like they're a potential school shooter or a potential threat," Riedman commented.

This, he added, could potentially erode the trust necessary for students to alert school officials to possible issues.