Middle schoolers of ISM have always had freedom before school to do what they please. Most students chose this time to use their phones, but recently that has changed. On November 4th the “No devices before school” rule was implemented, adding onto the already existing no device rules for lunch and break. I believe that students should have the right to use their phones in the morning. 

It is understandable why the middle school team would create this rule, some may contradict that this rule builds a stronger sense of community and makes students socialise more rather than stay on their phones. But as a middle schooler myself I can firmly argue that that is not the case, and here’s why:  

Students nowadays don’t use opportunities like these to socialise more but instead, it becomes more of a burden on students because of the fact that some students used that time in the morning to catch up on work that they had missed or to study for upcoming tests that day. Students schedules have been so cramped up in the past due to the amount of work they get that they can’t find time to study for subjects or get ahead in work that they’ve fallen behind on. This has been a reoccurring complaint ever since this rule has been implemented. 

Secondly, we already have no device rules during class, lunch, and break and it seems unnecessary to carry out a new rule because we already spend a lot of time off of our phones during the time we’re at school. The morning should be a time where we’re given freedom over what we choose to do since classes haven’t started yet. The school should only be able to control what we do during school hours. 

Lastly, though using your device can be a bad thing it can also be a really beneficial thing since using your phone, depending on what way you’re using it, can brighten up your mood and wake you up more for the morning. For example, you can watch funny videos on apps such as tiktok or youtube and use that time to chat with friends and family who live abroad. It can also motivate students to not use their phones in class because you’re given the chance in the morning to use it as much as you want. 

Having the option to use your devices in the morning can be advantageous and effective if you use them wisely. I believe middle school students should have the freedom to do what they want with the given time in the morning.