This year the superintendent announced a new phone policy. The policy states that students are not allowed to use their cellphones during class. 

As expected, students are outraged. Many concerns arose in these first few weeks of school. Students wondered why we were not informed before this important policy was passed, why we are not able to use our phones for the 96 minute classes, and how they expect us to adhere to this policy, after spending all our years at school being able to use our phones during class?

Though I have some concerns, I don’t believe this is something that negatively affects us. Our schedule changing the same year the phone policy changed is something that couldn’t have predicted. The classes seem much longer, but it’s only an eight minute difference for periods 1-3; but, fourth period, is relatively short, being a 45 minute period. 

Currently, students are struggling to get used to going through the school day without phones during the class periods. There hasn’t been real restrictions on phone use during the school, until now. Getting used to this is something that is not instant and will take time. 

Though many students are against the policy, there are many benefits to it. Some students believe that it’s strengthen their attention span, because they don’t have their phone as a distraction. History teacher Mike Brown even refers to cellphones as “digital crack pipes” because of how addicted students are to them. 

Due to not being able to use our phones to interact with others, we have to speak face to face. Phones have created a wall between everyone, causing us lose our social skills. This is seen in younger kids as well, referred to as “iPad kids.  They cannot function without being attached to a screen, and don’t hear or understand anything. Now, talking face to face will be beneficial for us later in life, when we enter the work force. 

Just how have phones created a lack of social skills, we see mental health take a decline too. According to Columbia Psychiatry, stress and anxiety are more common because of an overwhelming feeling of pressure and the fear of missing out (FOMO). This is caused by an endless flood of messages and updates. Also, sleep is necessary for mental health and can be disrupted by excessive phone use.

If all the reasons above aren’t enough for you to like this policy, maybe this last reason will change your view. I can’t count how many times I’ve been scrolling through Tiktok, Instagram, or Snapchat, and have seen teens just like you and me wanting to go back to the era without phones. Times would be so much calmer, and we would be able to fully experience our teenage years without being stuck behind a screen. 

I am not against phones. I  have moments in class when I want to use my phone. But, not having it during a time of learning is very helpful to further to pay attention in class, and further my learning.