Since the time that the modern-day cell phone was introduced, there has been a great deal of debate regarding whether cell phones should have any place inside of the classroom. There has been a great deal of varying opinions on this topic. Educators, Administrators, and Parents alike have had their fair share of discussions made to benefit the quality of learning for their students. Oak Lawn Community High School has adopted a stricter cell phone policy for the 2024-2025 school year, and there has been a great deal of controversy among students and educators alike.
To provide some context, the updated cell phone policy may not have much effect on the freshman class of 2028, however, if you were to ask the classes of 2027, 2026, and 2025, they would tell you that the cell phone policy has never before been this strict. For starters, cell phones are to be kept in classroom-specific velcro bags that the students keep on their desks, which are meant to eliminate the distractions that cell phones have on students. Along with this, the disciplinary actions that a student bending the rules receives are a great degree higher than what they used to be. Punishments are considerably harsher and it is much easier to obtain a referral.
Generally, cell phone usage in classrooms is considered an issue. According to the National Institutes of Health, “the smartphone is often a distraction for students, which takes away from the classroom experience and retention of information. The smartphone can serve as a source of entertainment for students, rather than a working instrument. It has been found to draw students’ attention away from study time and time spent on homework and assignments (Junco & Cotton, 2012), ultimately taking away from the learning experience.” Several studies have made the argument that cell phones pose a massive distraction in the classroom. Students would much rather indulge in texts on their phones, rather than textbooks. This leads to, on average, lower test scores and hinders academic performance.
Even though educators and administrators typically have opposing opinions to those who are being directly affected by the policy, the students, it is important to consider both sides of the argument, to determine the effectiveness that the policy has truly. According to Oak Lawn Community High School Senior Jessica Komperda, “I believe aspects of the phone policy are unnecessary. Though limiting phone use could have its benefits, it’s been limiting use when appropriate. In prior years students were allowed to use their phones during Spartan Plus, but now with the new phone policy students are being told to limit phone use and put them away. This year in the classrooms, phone use is also not permitted as phone pouches have been enforced in every classroom. To many students, having their phones by themselves is not a distraction and can make the phone pouches seem useless. Surely if phones can’t be used during the day they could be allowed to be used during spartan plus, a time that allows students to do whatever they please, whether it’s working on work for a class or taking the time to relax. I feel phone restrictions shouldn’t be obligated as students should possess the freedom to be able to choose how to spend their time. Certain students can use their phone as a resource not only as a way to pass time or distract themselves.” How does this opinion differ from those that a freshman who has never known any other policy may have?
Mr. Gerny, an English teacher at OLCHS states, “I believe that the phone policy has been generally beneficial for the students. Kids are more engaged and they’re actually speaking to each other.” “I think it’s a positive.”
To compare, Dominika Schab, a freshman for the 2024-2025 school year states, “Truth be told, I have not been here long enough to be able to experience a time before the stricter cell phone policy, however, I believe that the phone policy should be for certain circumstances. During instruction, students should be required to put cell phones in their backpacks, however, during designated work time and Spartan Plus, each student should have the liberty to decide what’s best for them.” The common student consensus is that the cell phone policy proves slightly unfair, and assumes that cell phones pose more of a distraction than a benefit, when that is certainly not the case for most students.
But how do educators feel about the phone policy; do they also believe it may be too harsh, does it prove to be beneficial? According to Dr. Lauren May, the principal of OLCHS, “The phone policy has remained the same, however, the way it is enforced is different. We took a different approach, with direct messaging to the students. Pride messages, Announcement messages, and Parent Messaging.”
There will always be something humans disagree on; whether that be the political state of the world, the economy, or the Oak Lawn Community High School Cell phone policy, society must be able to listen to opinions that vary from each other to grow and prosper as a society. Keeping an open mindset is key to learning more. While some may argue that the cell phone policy is cruel and unnecessary, some argue that it may help students succeed in pursuing their goals and achievements outside of high school.
