Phone Ban: Necessity or Overreach?

The phone ban was an essential policy.

Teenagers are addicts. Though technological advances prompt the need for adjustments among new generations, it is essential to underline the negative aspects, such as the teenage obsession with small rectangular screens that are glued to their hands throughout the day. Now, under law, around 31 states have the power to limit cell phone usage in the classroom, and California is no different. Valencia High School’s cell phone policy restricts its use during learning hours but allows full access during brunch and lunch. And honestly, this policy was inevitable and actually helpful when put into the context of growth.

Realistically, Valencia’s lack of policy led to common issues such as coordinating bathroom breaks together as well as the compromising of test security and assessment, as stated by Principal Mr. Kullen Welch. As teenagers, this may be tempting, but it simply compromises the learning environment that a school is supposed to encapsulate. School, especially government-funded schooling, is a commodity that should be leveraged to our advantage as students. 

To put it simply, phones are a problem in school settings. Social media, games, or doomscrolling are all more appealing to a teenager’s brain compared to any sort of academic activity, but we are thinking too short-term. Psychologically, it was tested in a study called Brain Drain (Ward, A. F. et al., 2017) that students who had their phones either in their desk or pocket performed significantly lower in a proctored test than students who had their phone off their person and in another room or area. On a broader scale, if this keeps up, our generation is going to be severely behind academically, as we either misuse technology for assignments or focus on the entertainment of technology to avoid school altogether. This is the problem that Valencia’s cell phone policy aims to improve.

Now, why is this important? Valencia students are being given an academic pathway to success, and people dare to complain about it. One of the most common ones brought up is, “What if I need to contact my parents? What if there is an emergency?” Students need to be able to communicate this to their teachers. Communication is a key skill for the real world, and if students are unable to achieve that, then it shows that there is a maturity issue. 

“If the student is proactive and communicates with the teacher, the teacher will allow them to step outside and use their cell phone appropriately,” Principal Welch said. . “It's when people try to hide it that it becomes an issue.”

 The goal of this policy is for us, the student body of Valencia, to mature as a whole when it comes to cell phones. Students should know and understand the school expectations and follow them accordingly, so they can learn the appropriate skills for the real world. This generation continues to discuss how our attention span is getting shorter, and it is truly a bad thing. This is how we address the problem and do our best to improve as a generation, so please understand why this policy is put into place, look at yourself, and make a change.

The phone ban was an unnecessary restriction.

Technological advancements continue to replace old-school ways of everyday activity. It’s how we work, learn, and stay connected. When schools ban phones, it feels like they disregard the direction the world is heading. The law makes it difficult for students to find themself and their future. They hope to find their spark, and with something like technology, it should come easy. Despite this, the ban makes it difficult to develop skills for such technological careers. The law makes it difficult for students to find themselves and their future. Rather than getting frustrated with students always on their phones, we should recognize that they're helping shape a more modern future. No student wants to experience disadvantages, especially with rising technological jobs and experiences. These careers aren't going anywhere, and students should learn how to navigate the world now, not later. 

Everyone has felt alone at some point. It is an upsetting and uncomfortable feeling, and for others, this feeling never really goes away. Some say that the phone ban helps students with socialization, but that's not always the case. Many students use their phones as a sort of distraction, especially if they struggle to connect with other students in class. Intermissions in class have others taking advantage of their free time, while students who are isolated wonder when it will be over. During breaks, it’s easy to see groups chatting and laughing while others sit quietly, unsure where they fit in. 

If the goal of this is to help the student body, you can’t help but notice all the drawbacks. Waiting for downtime in class to be over is one thing, but in a crisis, you don’t have any time to waste. Emergencies happen, and when they do, having quick access to a phone can make a big difference. There should always be an extra step of preparation, especially if lockdowns or student emergencies take place. Many parents hope to have constant contact with their children as the day progresses. With violence and school threats, it causes anxiety to arise for all parties involved. You never truly know what each student goes through, so you can’t compare each complex situation to a certain level of maturity or responsibility without knowing the real context. No one can really predict the inevitable future, so we have to find easy and quick ways to overcome problems thrown at us. Banning phones does not solve the real problem; rather, it blocks important communication. 

Mental health. A topic that plays a large part regarding the phone ban. Christopher Klein, a learning specialist, explains how these bans are counterproductive. Viewing these bans as the route to a prison-like environment for schools, her standpoint is nothing but correct. Valuing students, it is important to realize that good mental health is what helps them stay running, which is why we shouldn't constrain them. Another study by Dr. Vital was posted to the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. It showed that those with already high depression tended to use social media as an outlet. Social media is not found to be the root cause, as many dejected individuals instead use it to display their well-being. The problem isn't the phone, it's how we use and interact with it. 

While the intention behind this ban may show nobility and academic sharpness, this policy cuts out connections for student bodies. Those who struggle with stress, anxiety, or personal struggles say they feel more connected with their phone accessible to them. Taking away these phones disregards safety—what if a student begins to panic somewhere like the bathroom, while their phone must remain in class? Adults use phones responsibly every day, so students should be trusted to do the same. If schools want to prepare us for the future, why take a step backwards? We have to be able to get used to the future, even if that is one that is filled with technology.