In recent years, phones have grown from useful communication devices and have morphed into distractions that prevent learning at school. At MHS, talks of changing phone policies have come into light due to the problems that come along with phone usage at school. Possible changes could come from a multitude of reasons, but some of the most glaring issues with cell phones in school comes with distractions, but also with the spread of rumors and misinformation. For such reasons, it isn’t too farfetched of an idea for the cell phone policy to change.

Primarily, cell phones came from a place of need, which stems from the desire to be able to be in contact with anyone at any time. Instead, at school phones serve as distractions that every student carries with them and can’t put down. During nearly every second of every class at least one student is glued to his/her phone, staring towards the floor, not paying attention to the teacher or anything else – and that’s at a good time.

There’s always someone on Snapchat, another on Twitter, and someone else in the corner on Instagram, all spending valuable time in class stuck to the screens on their phones, not paying attention. This both hurts the teacher and the student, since the student is actively refusing to learn the material and the teacher has to put up with masses of students being so wrapped up in their own conversations and on social media.

Another issue that comes along with cell phones being so popular in classes is how quickly false information and rumors can be spread. In nearly all breaking situations, misinformation is quickly spread due to people lacking verified, relevant information and making assumptions without said information. This is no different with MHS, since through the usage of social media, a message can make its way through the student body in about five minutes.

MHS has already faced similar situations in the past few months, such as the whole ordeal with supposed bedbugs present at the school. Instantly, when the slightest rumor was uttered, students took to social media to inform others and share their opinions before hearing any real information on the matter.

Due to the fact that phones cause a multitude of problems, many of which are frequently seen taking place within the school, it wouldn’t be too outlandish for changes to come to the implemented phone policy. With all the distractions and possibilities for harmful rumors to be spread, phones are being used in seemingly innocent, but in reality, malicious ways that might lead to changes in how phones are dealt with on school grounds.

The school board has been discussing the idea of a stricter cell phone policy for years and with all of the social media scandals that have arisen in the last month or so, the discussion is yet again being brought back into consideration. However, having a stricter cell phone policy comes with a lot more cons  rather than benefits for students.

One of the main reasons phones should be allowed in schools is because phones can be used as resources in classrooms and if students are not allowed to have them, they’ll be missing out on their assignments. For example, if a student forgets his/her Chromebook at home, he/she can use a cell phone. Most of the times, students can simply use their phones to do their assignment or research and get the same information and work done. This allows them to get their assignments done on time and prevents a student from just sitting there and distracting the rest of the class. Why punish a student for forgetting his/her Chromebook when there isa device that is capable of doing the exact same thing right in his/her pocket? If phones aren’t allowed in school, then we are cutting students off from a resource that can be very valuable to their learning.

Allowing phones in school will also teach students the responsibilities that come along with them. When a student graduates, he/she is going to be in an environment where there are responsibilities and tasks to be done but he/she will have a cell phone. Whether it’s college or a job, a person’s cell phone is sure to be present. If students do not learn how to refrain themselves from using their phones while they’re in school, they’re most likely not going to be good at doing so when they are in the real world. Not allowing students to have their phones on them is making them miss out on valuable life lessons that would help them in the world outside of school.

One of the biggest reasons behind the stricter policy is that people think this will stop rumors from spreading so quickly, as MHS has experienced many schoolwide rumors this year. However, as we all know, simply telling students to not use their phones during school hours will not stop everyone from talking. With or without phones, rumors will spread. Rumors were a problem in schools before people carried phones with them, and they most likely always will be. Stopping students from having their phones on them really won’t stop any pre-existing problems and only will create new ones.

So all in all, the idea of having a stricter phone policy has good intentions but, in the end, it will just do more harm than it will do good. Schools spend less time fighting phones and more time working on etiquette with students.