The classroom is quiet. The fluorescent lights glare in judgment on the 29 other teenagers in the class. Your phone rests in a caddy at the front of the room, but it’s not accessible. A sharp emergency alert pierces the silence, but you can’t check your phone or call anyone. In that moment, you’re filled with stress and worry. Would the alert affect you? A family member could have been in a life threatening accident. Maybe you got an email that says you got into your dream school. Or your significant other could have ended things abruptly over the phone.
Despite the constant connectivity smart phones offer, being without them forces you into a moment of disconnection which heightens feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. What happens to our sense of security when the one device that keeps us connected is suddenly out of reach?
In today’s digital age, mobile phones have become important to daily life, particularly among the younger generations. From social media to educational apps, smartphones serve as multifunctional tools for communication, entertainment and learning. However, many schools have adopted strict phone policies that limit phone usage during class.
Wake County Public Schools is currently deciding whether to implement a cell phone policy county-wide. They sent out a presentation to Wake County teachers, laying out the possible regulations and outcomes of the new policies, ultimately letting them decide what they want to do. The state of North Carolina has also just approved policy HB 87, which requires each school district to adopt its own policies by either restricting or removing cell phones in classrooms.
But students at FVHS have been living with a cell phone policy since January.
In an attempt to limit screens, FVHS implemented a new schoolwide phone policy. Students this semester are unable to use cellphones in the classroom unless otherwise approved by the teacher. Consequences will be given if students decide to violate their teacher’s policy. Almost three months have passed since the policy went into effect, and many people are wondering how it affected students at FVHS.
“The growing presence of cell phones and social media apps has had a significant impact on student learning and engagement,” said Principal Mike James.
Students with medical exceptions are allowed to access their cell phones or electronic devices as long as they are necessary, but otherwise, it needs to be kept out of sight. Students will also be allowed to use their phones during weather and lockdown emergencies, so they can contact their parents or guardians.
One of the most common sentiments expressed by students is frustration. Many feel that being forced to put their phones away during class hours not only disconnects them from their social networks but also leaves them feeling out of touch with important events and conversations happening in real time. In an era where instant communication has become the social normality, students are finding it hard to adjust to long hours without access to their devices.
“I don’t agree with the policy because your time is your time. If you’re wasting your work time on your phone, then that’s not good. But if you aren’t wasting time and you’re doing your work on time, then there shouldn’t be a problem,” said freshman Adesan Gealsen.
The new cell phone policy has stirred a range of emotions across different grade levels. Many students feel that the policy is too restrictive. Freshmen who are still adjusting to high school life often feel the effect of this new rule more than upperclassmen. Many freshmen find the idea of being disconnected from their phones during the school day to be stressful as it separates them from their usual communication, but it has been found to be very effective in participation and concentration.
“The cell phone policy has not been enforced in my classes, so I haven’t found any issues with it. I do focus better with my phone away, but only when I can also listen to music and have short phone breaks in between work,” said junior Lily Longo.
Seniors, on the other hand, tend to have a different perspective of the phone policy. As seniors are nearing graduation, they often find themselves feeling more comfortable in their roles as young adults and might be more accustomed to balancing their responsibilities, like managing their phone.
Some seniors even expressed that they feel more empowered by the policy.
“Putting away my phone in the beginning of class encourages me to focus, and it reduces distractions in the classroom,” said senior Parker Johnston.
Should freshmen and seniors be treated differently when it comes to cell phones?
Many argue that the policy should allow for some flexibility. Freshmen are still learning how to manage their time and responsibilities, and their use of phones can sometimes be an important part of their social development. Seniors, in contrast, are expected to have developed better time management skills, and being able to use their phones responsibly could be seen as a form of preparation for independence in the future.
“We should be considering the maturity level of the students. Freshmen need more guidance, while seniors are much more capable of handling the responsibilities of phone use during class,” said FVHS teacher Johnathan Bushhouse.
Different teachers have different regulations when it comes to the new policies. Some mark students’ attendance present based on if their cell phone has been placed in the designated area. This strict method is meant to ensure students are fully engaged in learning, but it also has drawn complaints that it’s completely unnecessary and rigid. Other teachers don’t restrict students from cell phones at all and just ask that they have respect, listen to instructions and pay attention when necessary.
“I have been implementing a policy requiring students to put away their phones during instruction since last year; however, this year, I have enforced it with greater consistency and integrity, which has had a profound impact,” said teacher Valerie Camut. “Specifically, in my Math 1 ICR class, the final grade average increased by approximately 15 percent. I have also seen a positive trend in my Honors Math Plus courses, which, like the Math 1 classes, are predominantly comprised of freshmen.”
While the new policy is certainly controversial, there are also students who appreciate the absence of phones in the classroom. For them, the ban provides an opportunity to focus more intently on their lessons without the distraction of notifications or the urge to check social media. They argue that the policy promotes a more focused, distraction free, learning environment, where they can engage more with the material.
The frustration from students who feel disconnected from the world outside the classroom is real. Many feel that they are being treated unfairly, like children, especially when they compare their high school experience with the freedoms they expect to have once they enter the world around them. In their view, the policy might be an overreaction to a problem that could be solved with more flexibility or a more balanced approach.
“Some of our teachers don’t really care about the policy. As long as you have your work done, you can have your phone. But if they do care about the policy, I put it away,” said freshman Paige Murdock.
WCPSS’s efforts to determine whether this policy should be implemented county-wide has sparked further debates. Teachers are being given the choice to weigh in on potential benefits and drawbacks of the new policy, with some advocating for looser restrictions, while others argue that a more uniform approach is necessary for consistency and participation.
“I love the policy! Kids do not need distractions during core classes. I have had three students push back, but with the support of the admin, they are now compliant,” said freshman English teacher Bonnie Halle.
For now, the future of cell phone use in schools remains uncertain. As FVHS and other schools across the state grapple with the pros and cons of making policies, students and teachers alike will need to navigate the evolving landscape of education in the digital age, one where the balance between technology and traditional learning is still being defined.
“The pilot program certainly helped, and I think deep down students understand what we’re trying to accomplish. It just takes a shift in their mindset to see that the policy is trying to help them, not punish them,” said English teacher Marshall Wortham. “Without their phones, students are more focused on their work and participate more in class, but there still needs to be balance because cell phones in the classroom are a reality that we can’t ignore.”
