The Phone Ban

The topic of whether cell phones should be banned in schools is highly controversial. On one hand, phones can distract students and cause them to lose focus during class. On the other hand, they can be a valuable tool to accelerate learning and foster creativity.

In some cases, it makes sense to have phones placed in pouches during class, but this should depend on the teacher. Having phones in class can put students at risk of distractions from social media, games, and texting. However, it’s worth noting that most of the content on phones can also be accessed on computers. In upperclassmen classes, phones are often stored in pouches at the teacher’s discretion, making them more accessible when needed than if they were locked away in a distant cabinet.

Additionally, students have time between classes and during the two-hour lunch period when they could use their phones freely. While the first trimester may require freshmen to focus on socializing, making friends, and getting accustomed to school expectations, later in the year, students have ample free time to responsibly manage their phones. On average, the homework load does not prevent students from having this flexibility.

Learning phone management is an essential skill. At some point in school—whether in sophomore year or college—students will have access to their phones throughout the day. If we do not learn responsibility and focus now, when will we?

Phones are also necessary for educational purposes. For example, as freshmen, we have already used our phones for several projects. In physics, we recorded data for our acceleration project using our phones to ensure accuracy and reliability. In art class, phones are often needed to take pictures of artwork or find references for paintings. Their mobility and accessibility make them an important tool for learning.

In conclusion, balance is key. I believe all freshmen should have access to their phones next term to develop better phone management skills and enhance their education. At the same time, teachers should retain the authority to collect phones before class and return them afterward. By learning to use phones responsibly, we can improve both our focus and our learning experience.