The question of whether we should ban phones at ELHS has now resurfaced following a failed bill that would have forced students to the next level of phone restriction. After passing through the House, the bill failed to get through the Senate, and phone policies remain in the hands of local school districts. With a large possibility of new rules, ELHS has yet to make a definite decision on what to do about phones, as means of enforcement must consider many factors: safety, efficiency, parental agreement, and most importantly, budget.
ELHS principal Henry Kydd agrees that phones contribute to online harassment and distraction issues, but enforcing a ban is complicated.
“I think it’s easy to say, ‘ban them.’ The more difficult question is, ‘How?’” Mr. Kydd said.
Many teachers already reduce phone usage within their classrooms through systems like phone pouches or pencil cases during academic time. Additionally, Mr. Kydd believes phone restrictions will benefit students socially and academically.
“I do think it would have a positive impact on attention span, on students’ ability to concentrate and socialize,” Mr. Kydd said.
Apart from the benefits, students say a phone ban will disable their ability for direct, immediate communication, and interfere with daily routines.
“I do catch myself becoming distracted by my phone from time to time, but I also can’t lose the ability to text my parents when I need them to pick me up,” freshman Izzy Gonsalves said. “I also mainly use it between classes, not really in the middle of class,” Gonsalves added.
Mr. Kydd also noted the benefits of face to-face interactions for students, and pointed out a growing trend of students playing hacky sack.
“That’s really nice to see – to see kids taking a brain break from the screens and getting up, looking around and talking to people,” Mr Kydd said. (See recent story all about hacky-sacking)
Although no updated rule is in place, the decision remains in the hands of our local board, and policies continue not to be constrained to “one-size-fits-all.”
