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By: Zoey Genrich and Norah Greathouse 10/8/26
We all know about the new “Bell-to-Bell” law that went into effect across Indiana schools. Everyone seemed to have something to say. But is it really that bad? Read our article to dive deeper into it.
The new phone ban
There are many ways the phone ban can have a positive effect on students across the RBBSC campuses; for example, phones can cause distractions and disruptions in classrooms and schools. Last year, during regulation breaks and lunch in EJHS, phones were previously allowed; if you were to have watched, you would’ve seen everyone on their phones — whether they were scrolling, making TikToks, or playing games— it seemed that everyone was more invested in their devices than socializing with their other classmates. Now, if you walk into the cafeteria, you’ll see people entertaining themselves and their friends in different ways. You may see kids reading a book, socializing, doing homework, or even playing a card game. Matti Stephens, an 8th grader at Edgewood Junior High School, states, “I think the phone ban hasn’t been that bad because now that we don’t have phones during lunch, my friends and I have gotten closer with each other.” This shows that not having phones during school can be beneficial to the students' learning and their social skills.
The phone ban seemed to have an effect on people despite the mixed feelings. People seem not to know what to do when it comes to not having a phone. Although it may benefit us in some ways, it has also taken a toll on students. For example, for people who are in a media class, like Journalism or Advanced Media Production, it has been harder to work on their projects without their phones. For example, last year you would’ve been able to use notes, call people for interviews, use your phones to record interviews, and even use your phones to take pictures from events. Now, if you’re in Journalism, you’re not able to use your phone for all of these benefits. In Media Production, people may have been able to use their phones to film a quick video to advertise; now you have to use equipment instead of just filming on TikTok or something similar. Another example is that it seems to have made kids upset about not being able to use their phones in previously allowed times, because now they have to find different things to do. Ethan Henry a eight grader at EJHS says “I think it's unsafe to not have our phones, because during emergencies you can't call your parents”
An example of people talking at lunch.
In conclusion, the phone ban across Edgewood schools may be difficult, but it can help students focus, learn, and participate more in class. With time, students can adjust to the new rule and find different ways to entertain themselves.
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