Cell Phone Ban Should Be Outlawed
LYLLI DUONG, TRINITY DURAN Copy Editor, Staff Writer
San Mateo High School is starting off the year with a new policy of banning all use of cell phones for its students. The school’s administrators began to seek a new way to create a better learning environment so its students can be more attentive during class with fewer distractions. The cell phones are sealed away in a magnetic pouch at the start of school. Students carry the locked bags around and they are unlocked at the end of the day by staff. Even though there might be benefits to this system, ultimately, this is unfair and unjust.
Taking away cell phones from students is too extreme; students use cellphones for purposes than just checking social media, such as for safety. Having a phone available to the student at all times is important in case there is an emergency. Phones can help them get in contact with someone if there is an emergency with no one around.
School should be a safe and welcoming environment; however, with this new method, it makes school too restricting. The goal is to have students engage in school and look forward to each day. With this, it makes it more of a prison.
Numerous teachers see students as abusing their phones and using it for the wrong reasons, but there are some students who seek comfort in their phones. For many high school students, their classes cause them anxiety and their phones provide them an escape through YouTube, communicating with a loved one and taking a break.
The goal is for students to be on task, not depend on their phones as much and to focus on what is in front of them.
They should also engage in conversations with their classmates every day. Some students are not comfortable with the idea of limiting phone access, leaving students with the constant wonder about what is happening and which leads to even more distractions. The idea of taking cell phones away is not all bad, but there should be minor changes. Instead of taking away cell phones for the whole school day, students should have an exception at lunchtime.
Punishing teenagers and young adults for using their phones will not teach students how they should act in school. Although people can try to suppress the usage of phones in class, it is nearly impossible to suppress the urge. As modern technology is constantly improving, students will be drawn to new technology and bring it into their lives.
It is important for schools to allow students to have their phones; it provides them access to the rest of the world. Having the presence of technology can encourage students to be more open to learning in class. If there is a huge problem with phones in classrooms, the administrators and staff of the schools should create a compromise with the students. Such a compromise could help reduce phone usage in class.