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By Patrick Kinsella
This year, as part of statewide legislation, a new bell-to-bell phone restriction was put in place at schools, including at Kenmore West High School. In an effort to reduce distractions and improve focus in the classroom, the policy bans all student phone use during the school day. While teachers seem to agree on the overall positive effects of these new rules, students have much more mixed opinions on the topic.
With the main goal of these new restrictions being to decrease distractions and increase focus, the ban seems to be working in many ways. While some haven’t noticed any differences, most students seem to agree that there are fewer distractions in school without phones. Now, students no longer have to worry about checking their latest notifications and can instead focus all their attention on class. Students also seem to be using their free periods more wisely now that they aren’t spending the time on their phones. They instead choose to socialize with others or spend time completing work. These new changes have helped many students to work more efficiently, raising their grades and overall performance in school.
Although many students do see the benefits of these new rules, many also have new concerns. Numerous students have noted feeling less comfortable or safe now, saying that they can no longer communicate with parents in case of an emergency. For many students, their only way to communicate home during the day is their phone, and without it, they have heightened anxiety surrounding emergencies such as lockdowns. Some even stated that it has made it more difficult to focus. Keeping in touch with home can be important, not just for emergencies, but also for day-to-day planning. Various students use texting to plan transportation, and without phones, have struggled to do so.
As the incoming class, 8th graders seem to be in a special situation with these new restrictions. Already having had limited access to their phones in middle school, many have stated that the changes haven’t impacted them much. Because these students already experienced a similar phone restriction policy, they seemed to have more positive responses to these rules, and this could show how new policies like this one can be effective. By enacting these policies and keeping them over a long period, we can begin to create a positive environment where students aren’t plagued by distractions on their phones.
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