I’m a freshman now, but have been a consistent student for nine years. When I decided to read Sen. Lincoln Fillmore and Rep. Doug Welton’s article “Opinion: Phones are hurting our students. Utah needs a bell-to-bell solution,” I was deeply interested. I came to understand why some students should have limitations during class, since phones can definitely be a distraction. But banning them for the entire school day? That’s too much, and here’s my opinion on it.
One reason bell-to-bell bans are harmful is that phones are important for safety and communication. Sen. Fillmore and Rep. Welton never mention the personal restrictions, not considering that students may need their phones to serve purposes for important necessities. Many students, including me, use our devices to contact our parents after school, arrange rides, or handle emergencies. Taking phones away all day can create even more stress instead of helping students feel secure.
Additionally, all-day bans don’t teach us anything. In college and at jobs, we’ll have our phones. If we never learn to manage distractions now, how are we supposed to handle them later? We need practice with self control, not just having our phones locked away.
I share and sympathize with the concern that phones can distract us during class, and I agree that limitations should be used when necessary. However, banning phones all day goes way too far. Creating a clear set of classroom rules is definitely a more positive approach than absolute restrictions.
I believe schools should adapt to more reasonable phone policies and consider the students’ opinions when making these kinds of decisions.
Tristinh Kim Guanga
Poway, CA